St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency servicing St. Mary's County, Maryland. It has a direct jurisdiction of 764 square miles (1,980 km2) servicing (as of 2010) a population of 105,151 people.[1]

St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office
St. Mary's County Sheriff Door Seal
St. Mary's County Sheriff Door Seal
AbbreviationSMCSO
Agency overview
Formed1637 (1637)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionSt. Mary's, Maryland, U.S.
Map of St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office's jurisdiction
Size367 square miles (950 km2)
Population105,151
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersLeonardtown, Maryland
Agency executive
Facilities
Patrol carsCrown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI)
Website
http://www.firstsheriff.com/

History

The St. Mary's Sheriff's Office is one of the oldest documented sheriff's offices in the United States, starting with James Baldridge in 1637. As the county was established in 1634 along with Virginia's first eight counties, there most likely was a sheriff appointed at that time, however no documentation has been found prior to 1637. Sheriffs in St. Mary's County have been determined by election since 1776.

Joseph Lee Somerville became the first African American sheriff of St. Mary's County, and the first in the state of Maryland, and only the sixth in the entire country, when he was appointed in 1977. He served until 1982.[2]

The current Sheriff is Steven A. Hall with an authorized strength of 151 deputy sheriffs. [3] </ref>

Divisions

The Sheriff's Office is divided into five divisions: Administration, Patrol, Corrections, Criminal Investigations (which includes Narcotics and Vice investigations) and Special Operations.

The Sheriff's Office also has two highly trained emergency teams: The Emergency Services Team (EST-composed of sworn deputy sheriffs), and the Emergency Response Team (ERT-composed of correctional officers)

Administration

Commanded by Captain David Yingling (https://www.firstsheriff.com/Command.asp) the Administration Division is composed of both sworn and professional staff. The sections and personnel that fall under the direction of the Administrative Division Commander include:

· Resa

· Fiscal

· Personnel and Recruiting

· CALEA Coordinator

· Systems Administrator

· Police Services Specialist

· Property

Patrol

The Patrol Division is responsible for the general law enforcement duties in the county, including first responder to motor vehicle accidents, 9-1-1 calls and traffic enforcement. Patrol is currently commanded by Captain Stephen Simonds.

Corrections

The Corrections Division is responsible for the security, custody and control of adults sentenced or awaiting trial in the Detention Center. The division has both full-time correctional officers and professional Correctional staff and contract officers. The division is commanded by Captain Warden Mary Ann Thompson.

Criminal Investigations

Criminal Investigations is composed of detectives and crime scene investigators, and is responsible for investigating major crimes. The division is commanded by Captain Edward Willenborg.

Special Operations

Some of the units and functions that fall under the direction of the Special Operations Division Commander include:

· Judicial Section

o Court Security

o Child Support Enforcement

o Civil Process

· K-9 Section

· Training and Education

· Traffic Safety and Motors

· Community Policing

· Crime Prevention

· School Resource Officers

· Alcohol Enforcement

· Emergency Services Team

· Armorer

· Police ATV Program

· Color Guard

· Volunteer Program

The Special Operations Division (SOD) is currently commanded by Captain Richard Russell. .


See also

References
  1. 2010 Census Data
  2. "Maryland's first Black sheriff, Joseph Lee Somerville, dies at 81". wusa9.com. 2021-04-07. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
  3. St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office - Sheriff Office History
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