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Washington County Sheriff's Office
We invite you to visit our office in Washington, Iowa and see for yourself the facility, the employees and the work that is being done.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is comprised of 22 sworn law enforcement officers, including Chief Deputy Shawn Ellingson, Lieutenant Chad Ellis, and Sergeants Kirk Bailey and Aaron Gould. All deputies and supervisors are certified through the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. The office provides law enforcement services across all 567 square miles of Washington County, serving approximately 22,000 residents.
Responsibilities
The Sheriff is responsible for administering the following entities:
Sheriff’s Office
Jail
911 Dispatch
Civil Process
Records Administration
Emergency Management
Contract Law Enforcement Services
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services to all unincorporated areas of Washington County and provides contract law enforcement services to seven incorporated cities:
- Ainsworth
- Brighton
- Crawfordsville
- Kalona
- Riverside
- Wellman
- West Chester
Highways
The primary state and federal highways running through Washington County are Highways 1, 22, 78, 92, and 218. Patrol uniforms are worn according to Iowa State Sheriffs' and Deputies' Association (ISSDA) standards, as are the patrol car markings.
Patrol
We are committed to maintaining a visible presence in schools and communities. This active patrolling aims to deter criminal activity, encourage compliance with traffic laws, identify potential hazards, and assist motorists and citizens in need. Patrol deputies conduct initial investigations and complete Uniform Crime Reports (UCRs) based on the severity of incidents. They also provide support to ambulance and fire services, respond to and investigate traffic accidents, and deliver public presentations to schools and community service groups.
Criminal Investigation
The Sheriff’s Office has a criminal investigator available to assist with major felony incidents and cases of sexual abuse or assault. The investigator is also responsible for overseeing all ongoing investigations conducted by patrol deputies.
Reserve Unit
The Washington County Reserve Unit is also assigned patrol duties throughout the county as needed. The Reserve Unit may be hired to provide security for special events, high school sports, community celebrations, and occasional private security requests.