With the warmer weather comes increased calls for service, highlighting the need for citizens with a desire to serve their community, June, 2022

I sure hope this month's publication finds everyone well, healthy and enjoying summer!  The summertime always brings an uptick in calls across the county, in addition to deputies assisting with the security staffing at various public summer events.  With our schools being out of general session for the summer, our three school resources officers are reassigned to general and proactive patrol duty to assist with coverage and events.

Through the first five months of 2022, your Sheriff's Office handled 10,125 calls for service/details across our vast 842 square mile county.  Our county jail staff booked/processed 915 arrested subjects at the Callaway County Jail for an array of criminal offenses.  Consistent with operating rules as set forth by the Missouri Supreme Court, many of those arrested for misdemeanors or infractions were released with Court summons soon after processing. 

However, don't be mistaken though.  The general inmate population (felony level offenders) unable to post bond or be released otherwise remains high.  So far this year, our average daily population has been 91 inmates.  The current jail general housing unit is only designed to hold 74 inmates, thus we continue to operate at *full* capacity and then some!  The new county jail, to open by year end, will have a 152 inmate general housing area. 

Overall agency staffing, especially in the county jail, remains somewhat problematic --- however that is an issue facing law enforcement from coast-to-coast.  If you know of anyone interested in the position of Detention Officer, Deputy Sheriff Trainee, or Deputy Sheriff, please refer them to our new website - callawaysheriff.org! 

As always, I have an "open door" and telephone policy.  If any citizen has concerns, comments or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at the Sheriff's Office anytime.  While I may be hard to catch at times, I will always return a request for citizen contact.  I am elected by you, and thus, answer to you!

At your service, and respectfully, your Sheriff,

Clay Chism