Divisions

Law Enforcement Center Divisions

To learn more about each division click on the titles below.

Patrol

The Patrol Division comprises one Captain and six platoons directed by a Sergeant. The platoons work twelve-hour shifts that rotate from days to nights every two months. COPS deputies supplement the Patrol Division in Stewartville, Byron, Eyota, and the Townships of Rochester, Cascade, and Haverhill. Additionally, two deputies are assigned as School Resource Deputies in Byron and Dover-Eyota Schools. Four more deputies work two power shifts that rotate to cover the evening shift change periods.

Numerous deputies in the Patrol Division are trained in various aspects of service including

  • Joint teams with the Rochester Police Department on the K9 Team
  • Emergency Response Unit
  • Forensic Mapping Unit
  • Project Lifesaver (Autism Search Team) and
  • The Crisis Intervention Team.

Other capacities of expertise in training include Handgun, Rifle and Shotgun Instructors, Use of Force instructors, Less Lethal force, D.A.R.E. Instructors, Field Training Officers, Intoxilyzer Operators, Drug Recognition Experts, and the Honor Guard

With a population of nearly 160,000 people, Olmsted County ranks eighth in population size among Minnesota counties with the third-largest city in the State; Rochester. Olmsted County consists of 18 townships and seven cities, for a total area of 653 square miles.

The members of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division take pride in providing effective, efficient, and fair law enforcement when the persons who live and travel throughout Olmsted County need assistance. Ever present, day or night, regardless of the conditions or circumstances, using leading law enforcement technology, all deputies are prepared to assist in any way possible to maintain all Olmsted County residents and all visitors are safe and secure.

Resources

Car Seats and Booster Seats - Choosing the Right Seat

Snowmobile Patrol

Snowmobile patrol is coordinated under the direction of the Training Division. Deputies working snowmobile patrol duties have completed the Snowmobile Certification Course.

To provide better coverage and to reinforce safety on the trails, snowmobile patrol works closely with the Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers. We help enforce state laws and local ordinances within Olmsted County.

Questions concerning snowmobile safety or certification can be found through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Water Patrol

Water patrol is coordinated under the direction of the training division and is staffed by full-time deputies.

The goal of water patrol is to educate and enforce safe boating practices on all waterways in Olmsted County. Water Patrol is responsible for inspections of rental watercraft in the County. Members of our office train with the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office Dive Team and prepare to assist in an emergency situation.

Lake Zumbro provides a unique situation as the lake is in Olmsted and Wabasha Counties. The Wabasha County Sheriff's Office has authorized the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office the jurisdiction to patrol and maintain the safety on Lake Zumbro.

Lake Zumbro Status

Olmsted County Resolution #94-109 regulates the surface use of Lake Zumbro and allows Olmsted County to regulate watercraft speeds when the water level is at a level that is hazardous to property and public safety.

  • The "Slow, No Wake" status is enacted when the water level reaches 915.6.
  • The "Slow, No Wake" status is terminated when the water level drops to 915.3.

Real-time lake-level information is available on the Rochester Public Utilities website.

The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office highly encourages all users of Lake Zumbro to familiarize themselves with the lake's water depths and structure. Slowing down and knowing the layout of the lake will allow everyone that enjoys the water to be safe.

For more information on Lake Zumbro, visit the Lake Zumbro Improvement Association.

Administrative Services

The Administrative Services Division is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating support services for the Sheriff’s Office to help it run effectively. This includes organizing deputy sheriff new hire testing, promotional exam testing, and support services and clerical staff hiring. The division manages the Sheriff’s Office fleet vehicles including squad car ordering and maintenance. It analyzes internal processes recommending and implementing procedural or policy changes. In doing, the division improves operations and ensures policy alignment with state and federal laws and standards. Works with planning, and coordinating budgets for contracts, equipment, and supplies. This includes vendor contracts for technologies currently used or considered for use by the Sheriff’s Office.

Staff Training and Emergency Management

The Staff Training Division is responsible for initial training new hires and meeting all Peace Officer Standard and Training (POST) board education requirements for our licensed staff. Deputies spend four weeks in the initial training phase then transition to the Patrol Division for 12 weeks of Field Training. For our licensed staff, we conduct training sessions each quarter to complete mandatory yearly training that the department is required to provide. Deputies also receive other professional enhancement training coordinated by the division. The Emergency Management Division is charged with planning and exercising for man-made and natural disasters. This includes maintaining and updating our county’s Emergency Operations Plan. The division also maintains and operates the 97 outdoor warning sirens and facilitates the countywide Storm Watch program.

Civil/Warrants

The Civil and Warrants Divisions are responsible for the service of civil process, criminal warrants, extraditions, fugitive investigations, and courtroom security. They are located inside of the Government Center at 101 4th Street Southeast, Rochester, MN 55904-3718. The Civil and Warrants Divisions are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed on weekends and holidays.

Shipping related note: Priority Overnight packages (FedEx, UPS, DHL, SpeeDee) should be mailed to 2118 Campus Drive Southeast, Suite 200, Rochester, MN 55904.  This does not apply to Priority Overnights through the United States Postal Service (USPS). This only applies to carriers other than USPS. 

Contact Information

Civil

Phone - 507-328-6820

Email - civil@olmstedcounty.gov

Warrants

Phone: 507-328-6830

Email - warrants@olmstedcounty.gov

Dispatch Center Phone Numbers

Emergency - 911

Non-Emergency: 507-328-6800

Documents and Applications 

Other Helpful Links

Investigations

The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division is responsible for conducting follow-up investigations referred from the Patrol Division, sexual assault investigations, Predatory Offender registration compliance, and DWI vehicle forfeitures. The Investigations Division also conducts follow-up investigations that are referred from Olmsted County Community Services. Examples would include Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult, child sexual assault referrals, and maltreatment referrals.

The Investigations Division of the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office also works closely with investigators from the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crimes Enforcement Team. The Investigations Division is comprised of one Lieutenant, four general investigation detectives, one County Attorney detective, two investigators, one Intelligence Analyst, one Administrative Assistant, one narcotics detective. In addition, we have three narcotics investigators which are assigned to the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team. Each general investigator specializes in unique crime investigations such as vulnerable adult cases, heavy equipment theft, arson investigations, welfare fraud, and internet crimes with a focus on protecting children. The Investigations Division receives support from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force where one general investigator is assigned on a part-time basis.

The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office, participates in the Check Diversion Program. If you’ve received a worthless check, please message the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division works with the Minnesota Joint Analysis Center (MNJAC) as well as the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) which are both federally sponsored organizations. If you need assistance from the Investigations Division for cases referred from the Patrol Division, Predatory Offender registration questions, or DWI forfeiture questions, please contact us at the following numbers:

Cases referred from the Patrol Division:

Investigations Lieutenant- 507-328-6749

Predatory Offender Registration:

POR Investigator - 507-328-6756

DWI Forfeitures:

DWI Forfeiture Coordinator - 507-328-6688

Government Center Security and Transport

The Government Center Security (GCS) and Transport Divisions provide security for the Government Center and transport persons that are in custody on court orders, arrest warrants or legal established authority. The GCS Division are the deputies that staff the Screening Station on the Second floor, provide armed security in District Courtrooms, and arrest offenders that arrive at the Government Center. The Division is staffed by senior deputies that are very familiar with our local criminal offenders thereby improving the security of the building by their experience and expertise which helps to minimize issues that may arise. The deputies of the GCS Division screen hundreds of people and thousands of bags each year. The amount of prohibited items located by the deputies is staggering in number and uniqueness.

The Transport Division does exactly what their name says, they move people every day and log thousands of miles per year doing so. The Transport Deputies routinely work in time-sensitive conditions while making trips to the Twin Cities metro area and beyond.

Southeast Minnesota Violent Crimes Enforcement Team

The Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team (SEMVCET) is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics and violent crime unit that shares the common goal of disrupting/destroying illegal drugs, gang activity, and violent crimes in Southeast Minnesota. The benefit of a multi-jurisdictional task force is that it allows law enforcement agencies in different jurisdictions to work together as a single enforcement entity with the ability to share intelligence and coordinate enforcement activities. The formation of the SEMVCET has allowed more efficient use of resources and targeting of offenders whose activities cross jurisdictional boundaries.

  • Telephone - 507-328-6762
  • Fax - 507-328-6781
  • Drug Tip Line: 888-345-0131
  • Drug Tip E-mail: drugs@co.olmsted.mn.us

SEMVCET Agencies