Summer...... Wrap-up - September, 2022

It's hard to believe we are on the backside of Summer; our local youth are back in school and the Fall harvest season will be here before we know it.  As they say, time flies!

Your staff at the Callaway County Sheriff's Office remain busy throughout our vast 842 square mile county.  County roads alone provide for 820 miles of travel (approximately 796 miles of gravel and 24 miles of asphalt!).  State maintained roadways add many more - hundreds of miles to that calculation. 

As of August 26, 2022, Sheriff's Office staff have handled 16,277 calls for services/administrative tasks all across the county.  That computes to approximately 68 calls/tasks every 24 hour period.  Additionally, Callaway County Jail staff - under the realm of the Sheriff's Office - have booked/processed 1,422 arrested subjects into the county jail.  While most arrested subjects are allowed to post bond; the most serious criminal offenders many times remain in-custody pending Court proceedings.  Our daily jail population of those offenders unable to post bond frequently ranges from 80 to 100 inmates.  As our current jail only has general population capacity for 74 inmates, we certainly welcome the opening of a much larger facility in the coming months.

Staffing remains a real crisis at our agency.  In speaking to numerous Sheriffs and Chiefs across the state, I've came to realize, we are merely one of most agencies suffering the same labor market issue.  In a most local reflection; the Fulton Police Department, the Holts Summit Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are also battling staffing issues.  Should you have a friend or family member interested in becoming a deputy sheriff or detention officer, send them our way.  Check us out at callawaysheriff.org. 

As always, citizens are welcome to contact me with any questions. I believe elected officials shall make themselves available to the public.

Respectfully, your Sheriff,

Clay Chism