The Patrol Division is the "backbone" and most visible division of the Sheriff's Office. The primary responsibility of the Patrol Division is to provide 24-hour protection and services to the citizens of and visitors to Meriwether County. The division is comprised of 20 certified law enforcement officers. The Patrol Division is divided into three squads, each squad operates with a sergeant, a corporal and at least 3 deputies.
The approximately 500 square miles of Meriwether County are divided into 4 patrol zones. Deputies are assigned zones on a rotating basis, allowing each zone deputy to stay familiar with all patrol areas. This system has proven to be both highly effective and efficient.
The Patrol Division also operates a take home vehicle program, which allows vehicles to be assigned to individual deputies and permits quick response time to emergencies from their residences. The program is also highly cost effective as the per unit maintenance costs are reduced due to better care and accountability.
School Resource Officer (SRO) Program
The Sheriff's Office, working in conjunction with the Meriwether County Board of Education, have placed 4 SRO's in the county's public school system. The roles of the SRO are as a law enforcement officer, a teacher, a counselor and a mentor. These officers are placed in the schools on a full time basis to improve relations between students and law enforcement officers as well as to provide a level of law enforcement presence in the schools. The officer must also be a positive role model. Our SRO's are highly visible and accessible by attending and participating in school functions and activities. These officers are a resource for both the students and the school administration.
The SRO program will greatly help in reducing juvenile crime as well as in strengthening the relationships among schools, parents, law enforcement and the community in general.
K-9 Unit
In the past few years, there have been many changes at the sheriff's office. One on those changes has been the addition of the our first K-9 unit. "Junior" and his handler, Deputy Jason Norris, are available during routine patrol, concentrated patrol checkpoints, special operations and various other situations. Deputy Norris and "Junior" have had indepth training in narcotics detection and are currently in an on-going training program that keeps them on top of their game.
Interstate Crime Unit
In 2001, Sheriff Whitlock began a partnership with Sheriff Terry Langley and the Carroll County Sheriff's Office to put an Interstate Crime Unit to work on the stretch of I-85 within Meriwether County. The result of this effort....a group of officers that are extensively trained to work interdiction along our interstates. These officers not only concentrate on interdiction, they are dedicated to the eradication of all illegal activities within our jurisdiction.
At this time, the ICU consists of three units...two of those units having K-9 partners. You can visit our Photo page to view pictures of some of the accomplishments of this team. You can also CLICK HERE to learn more about the ICU and the overwhelming need for their efforts.
