- About Our Enforcement -
Enforcement Division
The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the county, he is responsible for serving a landmass of approximately 400 square miles. This includes 862 miles of road, of which 182 miles are state highways, 238 miles are county roads, and 443 miles are township roads. The Road Patrol is also responsible for traffic law enforcement in the county. The Enforcement Division remains the most visible arm of the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. The Road Patrol consists of Deputy Sheriff’s serving the county in a proactive approach to problem solving and community policing. They actively work together with citizens to explore creative solutions to solving problems and fighting crime. The Road Patrol is responsible for answering calls for service. These calls range from the most serious felony offenses to assisting someone with a problem at their home. Enforcement is responsible for investigating crime, safeguarding property, and responding to complaints and accidents. They also assist State and Federal officials when requested. Enforcement is also responsible for the service of subpoenas, warrants, summons and other legal notices issued by the courts.
Our Law Enforcement division has given talks to youth groups about safety issues and many other topics. We have also gone to the area elementary schools and did fingerprints on the children. The law enforcement personnel have attended village council meetings and enforce Village Ordinances. We report road and weather conditions to dispatch that in turn notify county school officials, county garage and township trustee.
All Enforcement Officers are graduates of the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy, and are certified Peace Officers by the State of Ohio. They must complete yearly state mandated training in various subjects to maintain their State certification. They keep updated on changes to Criminal laws and Traffic laws. These are well-trained and professional Officers who serve the citizens of the county.
Detective Division
The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office currently has three deputies assigned to the detective bureau. These three deputies are involved in numerous types of investigations that include but are not limited to burglary, breaking and entering, theft, narcotics, homicide, sex crimes, computer crimes, identity theft, family crimes and crimes against children along with numerous others.
Detectives at the Sheriff’s Office are involved in investigations that reach far beyond the borders of Crawford County. Detectives are assigned to the METRICH drug task force based in Mansfield Ohio. Currently there are 9 other counties that are part of the METRICH drug task force and on numerous occasions have asked for our assistance in conducting raids, undercover drug operations, surveillance, and investigating other types of crimes including property crimes, sex crimes, and theft offenses. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office is the access point for all law enforcement agencies that belong to the METRICH task force in Crawford County. Being the access point for the county means that all METRICH money, METRICH equipment, and general information come from the METRICH office in Mansfield to the county access officers here at the Sheriff’s Office. The information is then sent to all the other law enforcement agencies in the county. – www.metrich.com
Property Manager/Court Liaison
The duties of the court liaison are to maintain and provide the evidence for the courts, other law enforcement agencies, or insurance companies with proper information for a case. The court liaison represents the Sheriff’s Office on all traffic/criminal citations and traffic/criminal offenses in Municipal Court and Juvenile Court.
Special Deputies
The Crawford County Special Deputy Unit is composed of individuals, who are engaged in other full-time occupations, but wish to contribute their service to their community. These deputies are certified peace officers and have full powers of arrest. Reserve Deputies are required to maintain their peace officer certification by completing yearly mandated training and annual firearms training. Special Deputies assist the Sheriff’s Office by providing needed manpower on incidents and large-scale emergencies. Special Deputies provide security at the Crawford County Fair, School events and many other events.
The Special Deputy Unit has purchased equipment for the Sheriff that could not be purchased through the budget.
K-9 Units
The Sheriff’s Office has three K-9 handlers. Lt. Tim Mutchler and Deputy Jeff Windbigler both have bloodhounds. Both K-9’s and handlers are members of the National Police Bloodhound Association. Both Mutchler and Windbigler attend yearly training with the Association and their K-9’s receives an annual certification. Lt. Mutchler is also an instructor for the Association.
The Bloodhound and handler are made available not only to the Sheriff’s Office, but also to any agency requesting assistance. The K-9’s are used to search for missing adults and juveniles, and are frequently used to search for suspects who have fled a crime scene.
Both bloodhound handlers give presentations at different events throughout the year to several different groups.
Deputy Aaron Kissling also has a K-9. Nora is a female Belgian Malinois imported from Holland. Nora is certified in Narcotic Detection and Tracking. Nora was purchased with money forfeited to the Sheriff’s Office, in drug related cases.
