Sheriff's Office
County Sheriff: John Sanner
| 2008 Annual Report (365 KB) |
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| John Sanner Stearns County Sheriff |
The Sheriff's Office's primary concern is the safety and well-being of all persons and property in Stearns County. It operates on a 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year basis.
The Sheriff's Office consists of five major branches: the Patrol Division, the Detective Division, the Civil Division, the Communications Division, and the Correctional (Jail) Division.
The Patrol Division is the most visible and high-profile within the department. The patrol officers are the uniformed deputies, driving marked squad cars, responding to calls for service within the county.
The patrol officers are assigned to shifts on a yearly basis. The department utilizes the following shifts:
- Day Shift (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Evening Shift (5:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.)
- Midnight Shift (9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.)
The Patrol Division is currently comprised of 25 full-time officers, five sergeants, one lieutenant, and one captain. The ranks of the Patrol Division also staff two school liaison positions, one DARE office position, two civil process positions, and two snowmobile/water safety officers. In addition, officers from the Patrol Division provide the bulk of manpower for the operation of specialized law enforcement units such as the Underwater Dive and Rescue Team, Special Emergency Response Team, Gang Strike Force, Narcotics Task Force, and Canine Unit.
Stearns County remains committed to the concept of community policing. Community policing can best be described as a partnership between law enforcement and the citizens of the community. The Sheriff's Office strives to nurture this relationship through a number of various mediums, including neighborhood crime watch and public speaking engagements. As public servants, law enforcement officers need to be approachable and in touch with their respective communities. The public is asked to feel free to share their thoughts or concerns with the patrol officers. Together, we can make a difference!
The Sheriff's Office now contracts with six cities in Stearns County (St. Stephen, Rockville, Freeport, Holdingford, Pleasant Lake, and Brooten) to provide additional law enforcement services. Although the Sheriff's Office is responsible for providing law enforcement to these cities, they have elected to have officers assigned to their city at specific times for additional patrolling and protection. The city then pays the county for each hour that an officer is specifically assigned to that city. City officials work closely with the Sheriff's Office to set the schedule and coverage for any special events taking place.
The Detective Division consists of five members, four of who carry the title of Detective/Deputy Medical Examiner. The detectives' primary duties and responsibilities involve (yet are not limited to) conducting in-depth investigation of crimes against persons and property, coupled with the medico-legal death investigations as outlined by the Office of the Medical Examiner.
The Detective Division investigates reports of both physical and sexual abuse involving children. Investigations of this nature involve a cooperative effort between the Detective Division and other agencies, such as Stearns County Human Services' Child Protection team members. Specialized training and procedures are also utilized that have been specifically designed to achieve the most productive child interview. All Stearns County detectives have undergone extensive training provided by Corner House of Minneapolis, a nationally- renowned training facility designed specifically for interviewing victims of child abuse. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office has a "soft" interview room to assist in these investigations.
All members of the Detective Division also are assigned as investigators with the Tri-County Major Crime Investigative Unit. The MCIU is a specialized investigative unit comprised of personnel from Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns County Sheriff's Offices and the St. Cloud Police Department. The unit was organized to assist the member agencies with investigation of major crimes occurring within their jurisdictions.
The Detective Division also works closely with personnel and forensic scientists from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The BCA has a mobile crime laboratory, which is utilized for major crime scene investigations.
In 1999, an additional member was added to the Detective Division for the purpose of Welfare Fraud Investigation. The position is a collaborative effort between the Stearns County Sheriff's Office and Human Services.
In 1993, the Medical Examiner System replaced the County Coroner in Stearns County. The Detective/Deputy Medical Examiner assumes the responsibility for the investigation of all unattended deaths which occur in Stearns County. A determination is made as to the manner and cause of all reportable deaths. This determination is achieved through a variety of post-mortem examinations conducted by or at the direction of the Detective/Deputy Examiner. They are also responsible for the management and authorization of all cremations of remains of individuals who die in Stearns County.
The Civil Division has four full-time employees; two civil clerks and two deputies whose primary duty is to serve civil process, such as summonses, dissolutions of marriage, notices, civil and criminal subpoenas, evictions and orders which include domestic abuse. In addition to the process service, the Civil Division executes process involving the seizure of monies through bank levies, wage garnishment, and levies of personal and real property. The Civil Division administers all Sheriff's sales of personal and real property. The growth of the Civil Division has increased greatly in the last ten years, and it is anticipated that this growth will continue.
The Communications Division, also known as the 911 Center, serves Stearns County and all of the cities in the County. There are currently 19 full-time dispatchers, one part-time dispatcher and two dispatch supervisors staffing the 911 Center with 24-hour coverage. The Center dispatches for 30 fire and rescue departments, 17 police departments, and six ambulance services.
The 911 Center uses Computer-Aided Dispatching, or CAD. CAD saves valuable time in dispatching emergency units. In cases where there is a Mobile Communications Terminal in the squad cars, the calls are sent directly to the unit via computer.
In addition to radio and telephone communications, the 911 Center is connected with the State of Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension teletype network and the national teletype network. These networks provide information to and from all sheriff's departments, police departments, federal and state agencies in the United States, U.S. territories and Canada.
The Communications staff monitors weather advisories and alerts, and appropriate information is relayed to other law enforcement agencies throughout the County. The dispatchers provide a valuable link to emergency responders for all Stearns County residents. Learn more about the 911 Center.
The Correctional Division is the largest division within the department. It is made up of a captain, two lieutenants, correctional officer III's (supervisory positions), correctional officer II's (responsible for booking, central control, and housing units), and correctional officer I's (act as bailiffs and transport officers). It has the responsibility of the safety and welfare of inmates placed in the County's custody.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Stearns County Sheriff's Office is to provide efficient, high-quality, compassionate law enforcement services to all citizens. To achieve these objectives, the Department will constantly strive to enforce laws courteously and appropriately without fear, favor, malice, or ill will. The Sheriff's Office will work with the public, offering guidance and assistance to aid in combating crime and protecting life and property.
It is the responsibility of the Stearns County Sheriff's Office, through Correctional Staff, to ensure the efficient operation and maintenance of a safe, secure detention facility. This facility shall administer policies and procedures sensitive to the humane needs of the incarcerated while acknowledging financial limitations.
Code of Ethics
AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, by virtue of the authority conferred upon me by the State of Minnesota and the local governments by which I am employed, I accept it as my responsibility and fundamental duty to devote my abilities, energies, and efforts to the preservation of law and order; to the safeguarding of lives and property, the protection of the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence.
IN THE FACE OF DANGER, scorn or ridicule, I will remain courageous and calm. I will respect the constitutional rights of all individuals, regardless of color, race or creed. I will practice self-restraint and understanding in dealing with human frailties, and I will never lose sight of the fact that, as an officer of the law, I am not the master of the people, but the servant of the law-abiding.
IN THOUGHT AND DEED, both in my personal and official life, I will strive to set a good example to all by obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Confidential information divulged to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret, unless revelation is necessary in the proper performance of my duties.
EVER MINDFUL of the fact that it is better to prevent the commission of an act of crime than to apprehend the wrongdoer after the act has been committed, I will constantly strive to communicate to the general public ways and means in which crime may be prevented.
WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR, malice or ill will, I will enforce the law courteously, impartially and effectively. Without compromise, I will pursue the perpetrators of criminal acts relentlessly, never employing unnecessary force in making apprehensions and bringing law violators to justice.
I REGARD THE BADGE OF MY CHOSEN PROFESSION as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust.
I DEDICATE MYSELF to be true to the trust, and I will keep the faith, by upholding the ideals set forth in this code of ethics.
Unanimously adopted by the Minnesota Sheriff's Association in conference at Duluth, Minnesota, December 4, 1973.