To reduce exposure of the coronavirus to sheriff’s patrol deputies, detectives and support specialists, as well as protecting services, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has enacted temporary changes to its operations.
For 911 calls received by JeffCom that are considered low-priority incidents, the dispatcher will ask the caller if the report can be made to a deputy by telephone.
This is the preferred reporting method.
Low-priority incidents are those not in progress and with no suspect information.
Urgent or emergency deputy responses will still occur for in-progress crimes or felony crimes with a known suspect.
When responding to a location where people reside or work, deputies may first make contact by telephone to arrange for the reporting person to meet officers outside to facilitate social distancing of at least 6 feet.
This will allow the responding deputies to assess the situation and take the appropriate course of action to resolve the incident.
Non-injury, non-blocking motor vehicle collisions may be handled by telephone to assist with exchanging information and provide instructions on self-reporting using the Washington State Patrol Online Motor Vehicle Collision Reporting (OMVCR) format.
OMVCR can be accessed at fortress.wa.gov/wsp/wrecr/OMVCR/.
Sheriff’s deputies will respond to civil standby requests only if pursuant to a court order.
Non-criminal fingerprinting services are suspended through April 10.
This means the sheriffs office will not accept original Concealed Pistol License Applications that require fingerprints or provide any other fingerprinting services.
The sheriff will re-evaluate the situation on April 10.
The Drug Take Back program is suspended until further notice.
Currently, sheriff’s offices are open for business.
If you are sick or experiencing flu-like symptoms or have recently been exposed to someone with the coronavirus, we ask that you do not enter sheriff’s office premises.
Most business can be conducted by telephone.
