2023 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Reaccreditation Accomplishment: In 2023, Clarke County Sheriff’s Office successfully achieved its third reaccreditation through the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission, marking a significant milestone for our organization. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in law enforcement practices, ensuring that we meet the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.

Investment in Equipment: We made strategic investments in our operational capabilities by using grant funds to purchase a newer weapon system. This acquisition enhances the safety and effectiveness of our deputies, equipping them with the tools necessary to combat evolving threats in our communities.

Enhanced Officer Safety: Recognizing the importance of officer safety, using grant funding, we prioritized the procurement of bullet-resistant vests for our personnel. These vests provide essential protection against ballistic threats, further safeguarding the well-being of our deputies as they carry out their duties.

Technological Advancements: In line with our commitment to innovation, we successfully completed a multi-year comprehensive radio upgrade project. This modernization effort improves communication reliability and interoperability, enhancing our ability to coordinate responses and ensure public safety during critical incidents.

Workforce: To meet the growing demands of our jurisdiction, we focused on filling vacant positions within our organization. By attracting qualified candidates and expanding our team with experienced deputies and communications specialists, we bolstered our capacity to effectively serve and protect the community.

Support for Training Initiatives: We increased our support for the Skyline Regional Criminal Justice Academy, reinforcing our dedication to professional development and training excellence. By investing in the next generation of law enforcement professionals, we contribute to the advancement of the broader law enforcement community.

2024 GOALS

Retaining Talent: In the coming year, we aim to prioritize employee retention by implementing initiatives focused on enhancing job satisfaction, promoting career development opportunities, and fostering a supportive work environment. By retaining experienced and dedicated personnel, we ensure continuity and excellence in our service delivery.

Grant Applications for Traffic Safety: We plan to actively pursue grants aimed at reducing traffic accidents within our jurisdiction. Through targeted interventions, such as enhanced traffic enforcement initiatives and community education campaigns, we aim to mitigate the risks associated with road traffic incidents and enhance public safety on our roadways.

Continued Staff Development: Building on our commitment to professional growth, we will continue to invest in staff development programs and training opportunities. By equipping our personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to adapt to evolving challenges and emerging trends in law enforcement, we empower them to excel in their roles and better serve the citizens of Clarke County.

Enhanced Training for High-Risk Low-Frequency Events: Recognizing the importance of preparedness in responding to high-risk, low-frequency events, we will prioritize training initiatives aimed at equipping our personnel with the specialized skills and competencies required to effectively manage such incidents. By conducting realistic simulations and scenario-based exercises, we ensure readiness and resilience in the face of complex and unpredictable threats.

CONCLUSION

As we reflect on the accomplishments of the last year and embark on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serving and protecting the community with professionalism, integrity, and dedication. Together, we will continue to uphold the highest standards of law enforcement excellence, ensuring a safer and more secure future for all.

STATISTICS (Note: COVID-19 pandemic affected traffic, etc., from Spring 2020 through Fall 2022.)

ARRESTS

2022 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

We welcomed many new faces in 2022 as we endeavored to maintain our staffing levels. Training our new Deputies and Communications Specialists required a great deal of time and effort. Our numbers demonstrate we are close to being where we were pre-COVID. While we continue to struggle in some areas, our case closure rate remains high. 

2023 GOALS

We will strive to retain our current staff and fill vacant positions as quickly as possible. Deputies will continue to increase efforts relating to traffic enforcement. The office will work towards substantially completing the radio project by the end of this calendar year. And, as always, we will continue to seek out and evaluate new technology to aid us in serving the citizens of Clarke County.

STATISTICS (Note: COVID-19 pandemic affected traffic, etc., from Spring 2020 through Fall 2022.)

ARRESTS

2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The beginning of 2021 saw our office recovering from the COVID pandemic, with a return to normal trends towards the end of the year. We hired and trained several new employees, and were able to reconvene several of the training objectives we had put on hold. Our office concluded several high profile long term investigations, and we worked diligently to complete technological upgrades that will increase performance. 

2022 GOALS

We hope to become and stay fully staffed, a condition that we have struggled to attain for several years. In addition to the training of new staff, we will return to our training standards for established staff. Our technology projects should be completed and we look forward to our productivity returning to pre-COVID levels.

STATISTICS

ARRESTS

2020 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Although our office spent 2020 dealing with COVID-19 issues the entire year, we still had several positive developments. Early 2020 saw additional indictments and arrests in the 2017 home invasion homicide. Several staff members received promotions. Although several employees departed, the office was not adversely impacted.

Many training events had to be cancelled in 2020, but we still found opportunities to continue our staff development. While adhering to COVID-19 protocol, in house and remote training became the norm.

Finally, our role as first responders put us in difficult situations with respect to COVID-19 exposures. I am proud to say that our office responded heroically. Keeping up with ever changing guidelines was, by itself, a huge endeavor. Sheriff’s Office personnel were exposed and became ill with this disease. Yet we were able to man our stations and be ready in the event our citizens needed us.

2021 GOALS

We hope to return to pre-COVID practices soon. Our office plans include updating staffing practices, implemented policy changes, and continuing to find training opportunities. Our radio project will be completed this year and we will finish with several high profile court proceedings.

STATISTICS

2019 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Early 2019 saw the conclusion of a year-old murder investigation, with 38 indictments. Following a two-week trial later in 2019, one of the defendants was found guilty and sentenced to life plus 126 years. This case exemplifies the determination of Sheriff’s Office staff to bring dangerous suspects to justice.

The Sheriff’s Office continues to identify ways to keep children safe in Clarke County schools. It was awarded another grant to support that mission. This grant allowed for a School Resource Officer (SRO) to be assigned to Boyce Elementary School. In addition to manpower, the Sheriff’s Office continues to assist the school system with technology to enhance surveillance abilities. It also continues to upgrade surveillance systems in the Clarke County courts complex.

The Sheriff’s Office continues to promote the development of its staff. In addition to training efforts, steps have been taken to help employees with their health. Staff has opportunities to improve physical fitness through the LawFit Program.

Finally, the office received the prestigious Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC) Accredited Agency award for the third time. This process requires a third-party review of the operations of the Sheriff’s Office, which is quite proud of this recognition.

2020 GOALS

The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office should complete the Radio Upgrade Project in 2020. It is also involved in several challenging criminal investigations, as well as preparing for the trials of cases the Sheriff’s Office has already concluded. Finally, highway travel through the county will continue to be an enforcement challenge. The Sheriff’s Office is working with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) as it strives to ensure safe travels for residents, commuters, and visitors.

STATISTICS

ARRESTS

Accomplishments

The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office continued its tradition of staff development through robust training. Sheriff’s Deputies and Communications Specialists received numerous hours on topics ranging from basic skills to more advanced classes in leadership. Support staff continues to improve performance through advanced administrative training as evidenced by the Office Manager achieving her Professional Administrative Certificate of Excellence through American Society of Administrative Professionals. This training helps to ensure the delivery of quality service to our constituents. Our commitment is demonstrated by our office’s leadership in programs with Deputies and Communications Specialists instructing at all levels.

The Sheriff is a board member of numerous training agencies, including the Virginia Sheriff’s Institute, Virginia Center for Policing Innovation, The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Committee on Training, and the Skyline Regional Criminal Justice Academy. Senior office staff are engaged with other law enforcement efforts to combat the serious issues of the opioid overdose crisis and delivery of services to mentally challenged persons in our community.

Finally, in the area of staff development, our office began a program to improve our health and wellness. We now have staff trained in the delivery of a nationally recognized program called LawFit.

2018 also saw the continued upgrade and maintenance of the equipment we need in delivering our services. Security upgrades in our Courts and Schools help us keep our community safe. New technology helps in our analysis and delivery of traffic enforcement, and communication upgrades help to ensure we can talk to each other efficiently and effectively.

2019 Goals

2019 will be a busy year for our office. Our radio communications project enters the next phase, and we will continue to increase efforts in the area of motor vehicle traffic law enforcement. We have a review of our office operations for our Accreditation, and we hope to conclude the investigation of several long term criminal cases.

Statistics

Arrests

Accomplishments

The Sheriff’s Office quest for efficiency through the use of technology continues. Our support of Clarke County’s new management software allows for staff to spend more time on our core mission, and use of specific equipment has allowed field staff the ability to spend less time on “mundane paperwork”. We are able to negotiate the upgrade of a substantial Communications project that will begin in 2018 with the expectation of better radio service to all first responders.

Our office continues to evaluate the delivery of our products, and those evaluations led to some organizational changes. These changes provide for better evaluation of staff performance.

We continued in 2017 with our tradition of supporting the training mission. In addition to staff receiving training provided by sources that included the FBI and the Virginia Center for Policing Innovation (VCPI), the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office was busy teaching law enforcement classes at our local training academy.

Finally, the office recognizes the service provided by all of our staff. We opened our first fitness center and provided instruction with subject matter experts. We also recognize the stress of this profession and offered opportunities for counseling with many resources including our Chaplains.

2018 Goals

We will continue with our Communications upgrade project. Our office will remain active in the pursuit of legislative changes that will positively impact our office performance. We have already designated several training opportunities and will continue the pursuit of a new physical location for our training academy.

Statistics

Arrests

Accomplishments

The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office continues to evaluate and implement technology, with the purchase of an automated ticketing program, and Taser and scheduling software. These programs allow for better use of our office’s resources.

The office continues to pursue training opportunities, and has implemented several lifesaving programs. Our use of NARCAN has one documented save; and placing AED’s in our cruisers gives our deputies the tools necessary for administering medical aid.

The Sheriff’s Office Reserve and Chaplain programs continue to expand and provide office support that doesn’t affect the budget.

2017 Goals

The office will begin the first phase of its Communications upgrades. It has already identified training opportunities, including on-line and scenario based opportunities. It continues working with the Clarke County schools, striving to guarantee their safety. Finally, the Sheriff’s Office hopes to move into a new training academy, believing a new physical plant will only improve its service.

Statistics

Arrests

Accomplishments

In 2015, the Sheriff’s Office achieved re-accreditation from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Commission (VLEPC) with a perfect score, reflecting many hours of assessment of its operations. Sheriff’s deputies received a large increase in the number of hours of training in various aspects of our profession. Once again, the cost of this additional training was paid for with forfeited asset funds. New technology included emergency medical dispatch, upgrades of camera technology, and video conferencing capabilities which reduced prisoner transports.

2016 Goals

In 2016, the office will complete its strategic plan, essentially mapping out future goals for the office. It will maintain an aggressive training schedule. The accreditation evaluation process will also be continued.

Statistics

^{*MVA = Motor Vehicle Accident}

Arrests

Accomplishments

In 2014, the Sheriff’s Office began the long overdue renovations to its 100 N. Church St. facility. The communication’s equipment was upgraded with additional radio channels. The office was able to use forfeited funds, versus tax-payer funding, to purchase needed equipment. New mobile data terminals, a new vehicle for the School Resource Officer, and bullet-resistant vests make up a partial list of these purchases. The office continues to improve its training with a great deal of attention focused on skills training.

2015 Goals

In 2015, the Sheriff’s Office will be assessed for re-accreditation in the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Commission. Its Emergency Communications Center will install the Powerphone Total Response program which includes emergency medical, fire, and law enforcement dispatch. The office will continue to improve its ability to provide physical security in the courts complex, and assist in the security of county schools.

Statistics

Arrests