Geary County Sheriff Dan Jackson informed the JC Breakfast Optimist Club this week that the partnership with the Junction City Fire Department and the Sheriff’s Department Dive Team has saved five lives to this point. “Even if only one life were saved, it is worth it to have this team”, Sheriff Jackson said.
According to Club Secretary Dr.. Ferrell Miller, Jackson also stated that “there are 12 personnel on a special response team having had 40 hours of training in Colorado. This team is part of a regional asset team of local law enforcement, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and the Kansas Highway Patrol. An armored vehicle which may be used by the team has been ordered and is due to arrive in September. The vehicle will be paid for from asset forfeitures and VIN checks at no cost to the taxpayers.
The Sheriff said that he has also has been working to get the department accredited with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) that focuses on achieving the best outcomes in the delivery of services. That includes consistent internal and external reviews, combined with third-party validation of an agency’s policies and procedures critical in the delivery of high-quality public safety services, and promotes accountability. They believe “what gets measured gets done.” Jackson shared that the Geary County Sheriff’s Department already has policies in place, which will expedite the process in working to get the department accredited.