Hennepin County, Minnesota Sheriff's Office
Encyclopedia
Hennepin County, Minnesota
Hennepin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota, named in honor of the 17th-century explorer Father Louis Hennepin. As of 2010 the population was 1,152,425. Its county seat is Minneapolis. It is by far the most populous county in Minnesota; more than one in five Minnesotans live...
in the state of Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. HCSO serves one million residents and is located downtown in the city of Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
. The office manages the county jail, patrols waterways, provides security for the District Court, handles home foreclosures, participates in homeland security activities and in law enforcement, and by state law is responsible for handling applications for permits to carry a firearm for residents of Hennepin County.
Administration
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Administration manages the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, and is located in Minneapolis City HallMinneapolis City Hall
Minneapolis City Hall and Hennepin County Courthouse , designed by Long and Kees in 1888, is the main building used by the city government of Minneapolis, Minnesota as well as by Hennepin County, Minnesota...
. The administrative staff includes Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
Rich Stanek, a Chief Deputy, an Enforcement Services Bureau
Government agency
A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types...
Major, Investigations Bureau Major, Detention
Detention (imprisonment)
Detention is the process when a state, government or citizen lawfully holds a person by removing their freedom of liberty at that time. This can be due to criminal charges being raised against the individual as part of a prosecution or to protect a person or property...
/Court
Court
A court is a form of tribunal, often a governmental institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accordance with the rule of law...
Services Bureau Major, Public Information Officer
Public information officer
Public Information Officers are the communications coordinators or spokespersons of certain governmental organizations . They differ from public relations departments of private organizations in that marketing plays a more limited role...
/Spokesperson and the clerical support staff.
The hierarchy
Hierarchy
A hierarchy is an arrangement of items in which the items are represented as being "above," "below," or "at the same level as" one another...
for the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is simple. Each Unit reports to the Division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
, which reports to the Inspector of the Bureau, reporting to the Chief Deputy, who reports directly to the Sheriff. While there are some divisions or staff that do not line up with the hierarchy, every group will at some point report up to the Chief Deputy for the Sheriff’s Office.
Internal Affairs Unit
The Internal AffairsInternal affairs (law enforcement)
The internal affairs division of a law enforcement agency investigates incidents and plausible suspicions of lawbreaking and professional misconduct attributed to officers on the force...
unit reports directly to the Chief Deputy and is responsible for carrying out internal investigations on complaints. They ensure the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is operating at the highest level of integrity
Integrity
Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions...
and standards.
Finance Division
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Finance Division provides accounting support and reporting for all Sheriff's Office financial activities. The Finance Division develops and manages the Annual BudgetBudget
A budget is a financial plan and a list of all planned expenses and revenues. It is a plan for saving, borrowing and spending. A budget is an important concept in microeconomics, which uses a budget line to illustrate the trade-offs between two or more goods...
and Capital Improvement Plan
Capital Improvement Plan
A Capital Improvement Plan , or CIP, is a short-range plan, usually four to ten years, which identifies capital projects and equipment purchases, provides a planning schedule and identifies options for financing the plan...
. The Finance Division serves Hennepin County residents with foreclosure sales, redemptions and executions, civil service of process billing, trust accounting and transfers.
Administrative Services Bureau
The Administrative Services Bureau oversees operations within the Professional Standards Division. The Professional Standards Division consists of the Personnel Unit, Employee Development Unit, and Information Technology Unit.Personnel Unit
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Personnel Unit is responsible for staffing the Sheriff's Office.The Personnel Unit includes the Background Section that conducts intensive background investigations scrutinizing the criminal, prior work performance and credit histories of each applicant to ensure they meet the high standards of employment maintained by the Sheriff’s Office. The Personnel Unit provides numerous additional services to its employees and the public including posting promotional opportunities, performing policy reviews, processing payroll and benefits, managing workers compensation claims and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requests, processing applications for concealed weapons permits and offering fingerprinting services.
Employee Development Unit
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Employee Development Unit ensures that members of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office provides training that will enhance and support the skills, knowledge and competence of the members of the Sheriff’s Office and the criminal justice community at large. The Employee Development Unit also researches and plans strategies that keep the Sheriff's Office in the forefront of advancing law enforcement practices.Investigations Bureau
The Investigations Bureau is in charge of the Investigative Division, DetectiveDetective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
Unit, Narcotics Unit, Crime Lab
Crime Lab
A crime laboratory - often shortened to crime lab - is a scientific laboratory, using primarily forensic science for the purpose of examining evidence from criminal cases.- Lab personnel :A typical crime lab has two sets of personnel:...
Unit and Violent Offender Task Force
Task force
A task force is a unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. Originally introduced by the United States Navy, the term has now caught on for general usage and is a standard part of NATO terminology...
Unit.
Narcotics Unit
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit is one of the most successful drug enforcement units in the state. The Narcotics Unit works in partnership with several task forces including the Drug Enforcement AdministrationDrug Enforcement Administration
The Drug Enforcement Administration is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice, tasked with combating drug smuggling and use within the United States...
(DEA) Task Force, the Southwest Hennepin Drug Task Force (Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka), the West Metro Drug Task Force (Medina, Mound, Orono, West Hennepin Public Safety), the Minneapolis/Hennepin Drug Task Force, the Northwest Metro Drug Task Force (Crystal, Golden Valley, Hopkins, New Hope, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, St. Louis Park) and the Metro Gang Strike Force. The Narcotics Unit, based in downtown Minneapolis, targets mid-to high level drug dealers and organizations.
Detectives Unit
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Detective Unit works its own cases and in cooperation with several other law enforcement agencies. Detectives from the Sheriff's Office are assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task ForceJoint Terrorism Task Force
A Joint Terrorism Task Force is a partnership between various U.S. law enforcement agencies that is charged with taking action against terrorism, which includes the investigation of crimes such as wire fraud and identity theft...
, the Secret Service Financial Crimes Task Force, the Gang Prosecution Team of the Hennepin County Attorney's Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Violent Offender Task Force Unit
VOTF was created in February 2007 to help address the problem of violent crime/offenders in Hennepin County.Crime Lab Unit
Mission StatementMission statement
A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...
To assist in the investigation of crimes by providing technical crime scene processing in order to identify, collect and preserve evidence, while maintaining integrity at all times; and to conduct scientific analysis of evidence, in a timely and proficient manner, for all law enforcement agencies requesting our services.
Accreditation
Accreditation
Accreditation is a process in which certification of competency, authority, or credibility is presented.Organizations that issue credentials or certify third parties against official standards are themselves formally accredited by accreditation bodies ; hence they are sometimes known as "accredited...
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab Unit is one of two accredited crime labs in the State of Minnesota. The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) accredited the Crime Laboratory Unit in 2004 for the forensic services it provides in the criminal justice system. ASCLD/LAB also certified the unit in three of the major forensic science disciplines of analysis: latent fingerprints, DNA/biology and crime scene processing. The unit's Crime Scene Section was the first team of crime scene investigators in Minnesota to earn ASCLD/LAB certification.
Detention/Court Services Bureau
The Detention/Court Services Bureau encompasses the Adult DetentionDetention
Detention may refer to:*Detention *Detention *Detention, a form of punishment used in schools*"Detention" , Episode 58 of the CBS TV drama Cold Case...
Division and the Court
Court
A court is a form of tribunal, often a governmental institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accordance with the rule of law...
Services Division, including the Civil
Civil law (common law)
Civil law, as opposed to criminal law, is the branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals or organizations, in which compensation may be awarded to the victim...
and Court security Units.
Adult Detention Division
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office operates the largest pre-trial detention facility in the State of Minnesota. The Adult Detention Division manages the Hennepin County Jail, located in the Public Safety Facility, downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office booked more than 41,500 inmates in 2006.Court Services Division
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office provides security to the courts, judgeJudge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
s, and staff of the courtroom. They also carry out the needs of the courts. The Court Services Division includes Court security and Civil.
Court Security Unit
The Court Security Unit provides security to all of Hennepin County's Fourth Judicial District. The Unit is also responsible for the security and safekeeping of all in-custody defendants making court appearances.Civil Unit
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Civil Unit represents both the executive and judicial branches of government. The Civil Unit is responsible for the service of process and post-judgement execution procedures.Enforcement Services Bureau
The Enforcement Services Bureau is made up of the CommunicationCommunication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
s Division; Special Operations Division which encompasses the Weapons of Mass Destruction Tactical Team, Homeland Security
Homeland security
Homeland security is an umbrella term for security efforts to protect states against terrorist activity. Specifically, is a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the U.S., reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do...
Unit and Emergency Services Unit and the Patrol Division, which includes the Patrol Unit, Water Patrol Unit and Warrant Unit. There are also three units made up of special deputies: MARC, E-Squad and Mounted Patrol. These special deputies are volunteers.
Communications Division
The Communications Division is the law enforcement communications link for Hennepin County's communities and the 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point. Mobile Amateur Radio Corps (MARC) is an all volunteer unit that is responsible for providing supplemental mobile communications at special events and major emergencies.Special Operations Division
This division is composed of the Homeland Security Unit, the Emergency Services Unit "SWAT" team and the multi-jurisdictional WMD Tactical team.Homeland Security Unit
The Homeland Security Unit coordinates a number of initiatives involving multiple local agencies and partnerships with Emergency Medical Services "EMS" and the local and State Departments of Health. The Homeland Security Unit also manages a threat and vulnerability assessment team that develops emergency response plans for various sites in Hennepin County. Homeland Security Unit personnel also work as active members of many public and private homeland security working groups, and conduct training sessions for the community, Sheriff's Office personnel and local governmental agencies.Emergency Services Unit
The Emergency Services Unit, or ESU, is a highly-trained tactical response team drawn from all divisions and units of the Sheriff's Office. It consists of eight crisis negotiators and 34 licensed personnel with sophisticated tactical training complete the unit. Together, they are prepared to react to incidents requiring special weaponry and quick, highly-choreographed maneuvers.Patrol Division
Patrol
A patrol is commonly a group of personnel, such as police officers or soldiers, that are assigned to monitor a specific geographic area.- Military :...
Division oversees the Patrol Unit, Warrant
Warrant (law)
Most often, the term warrant refers to a specific type of authorization; a writ issued by a competent officer, usually a judge or magistrate, which permits an otherwise illegal act that would violate individual rights and affords the person executing the writ protection from damages if the act is...
Unit, and Water Patrol Unit. Two of the special deputy units are under the Patrol Division (Emergency Squad, or E-Squad, and the Mounted Patrol).
The Emergency Squad consists of special deputies (volunteers). The Emergency Squad responds to emergency calls (accidents, medicals) and supports special events with highly-trained personnel. Contained within the Emergency Squad is the Underwater Recovery Team (URT), a group of specialists in underwater rescue and recovery. Many of the special deputies were heavily involved in the recovery efforts at the 35W bridge collapse.
The Mounted Patrol is a group of volunteers that have a love of horses and a need to serve the community. These special deputies offer horse patrols for numerous events, like the Hennepin County Fair.
Patrol Unit
The Patrol Unit is the primary law enforcement service provider to 6 communities and 2 county facilities:- Fort Snelling
- Greenfield
- Hanover
- Hassan Township
- Medicine Lake
- Rockford
- County Home School
- Hennepin County Workhouse
The Patrol Unit also provides supplemental patrol coverage to a number of smaller police agencies in northwestern Hennepin County as well as specialized patrol service and assistance to all Hennepin County law enforcement agencies.