A Look Back and a Happy New Year! - January, 2023

It's hard to believe 2023 is upon us!  I hope this month's newsletter finds everyone doing well, staying warm and enjoying the new year!

2022 has been another busy year at your Sheriff's Office.  Once final data is calculated, I feel confident the math will provide your dedicated Sheriff and his deputies handled approximately 25,000 calls for service all across our sprawling 842 square mile county throughout 2022.  To put this into further perspective, this is approximately 68 calls for service every 24-hour period many miles apart - sunup to sundown and vice-versa!  Additionally, it's estimated that approximately 1,600 of those calls will have resulted in a custodial arrest.   As all arrests - including those made by municipal and state officers - are brought to the Callaway County Jail; by year end, approximately 2,100 arrested subjects will have been processed at our county jail. 

What's forthcoming in 2023 at your Sheriff's Office?  I am excited to announce we continue through the national accreditation process, which is an estimated three-year process through the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).  While the process is rigorous to put it lightly, by meeting the required standards, we can easily prove our operations are up-to-par and representative of the great community we serve.  Upon receiving our final accreditation, we will be one of very few Sheriff's Offices across Missouri whom have achieved full accreditation.  Citizens should be proud!

On a personal note, please know, I am overly gracious for the support so many citizens have given me as their elected Sheriff.  Having now vested over 22 years at the Sheriff's Office, I have not the slightest regret in choosing a career here to serve our citizens, as they expect.  Serving Callaway County is not a "job," it's a sincere privilege that I do not take lightly and hope to continue for the foreseeable future with your blessing.

As always, if a citizen has any reason to contact me, please do not hesitate to do so - my door is open and I gladly accept phone calls. 

Respectfully, your Sheriff,

Clay Chism

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