Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office

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The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary law enforcement agency for Leelanau County, Michigan. This dedicated team of professionals is committed to serving its community by maintaining law and order, safeguarding lives and property, and protecting the rights of citizens.

The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office is located at:

8525 E Government Center Dr
Suttons Bay, MI 49682

Telephone: (231) 256-8800

For general inquiries or non-emergency services, you can contact them via email at sheriff@co.leelanau.mi.us. Please note that this email is not monitored 24/7.

For immediate assistance or emergencies, always dial 911.

The office's hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, excluding holidays.

The local sheriff's office performs a wide range of duties to ensure the safety of Leelanau County residents. These responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Handling 911 emergency calls and dispatching relevant services
• Maintaining peace and order within the county
• Investigating crimes and apprehending suspects
• Executing active arrest warrants
• Managing the county jail and ensuring the welfare of inmates
• Enforcing traffic laws
• Conducting local background checks and managing the sex offender registry

Arrest Warrants Search

One of the main functions of the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office is managing and executing active arrest warrants.

How to Conduct a Leelanau County Warrant Lookup

To conduct a Leelanau County warrant lookup, you can use the Michigan Public Criminal Records Search. This online tool will help you check for active arrest warrants and view arrest records.

To start the search:

1. Visit the aforementioned website.
2. Enter the individual's first and last name.
3. Specify that you want to search in Leelanau County.
4. Click "Search."

Arrest Records Search

If you're interested in more detailed information regarding an individual's criminal history, such as the specifics of charges and convictions, you can conduct an arrest records search. Similar to warrant lookups, arrest records searches can be done through the Michigan Public Criminal Records Search.

Background Checks

Background checks are important for employers, landlords, or anyone else who needs to verify someone's past. In Leelanau County, background checks can be requested at the Sheriff's Office. You will likely need to provide a written request and the individual's full name and date of birth.

Sex Offender Registry

In addition to maintaining the county's most wanted list, the Sheriff's Office is also responsible for managing the county's sex offender registry. This information is publicly available and can be accessed through the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry.

Bail Bonds

If someone is arrested and held in the Leelanau County jail, they may need the services of a bail bondsman to secure their release. The Sheriff's Office does not recommend specific bail bond services but a list of licensed bail bondsmen can be found on the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services website.

Other Leelanau County Police Departments

In addition to the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office, there are several other local police departments serving different communities within the county. These include the Suttons Bay Police Department, the Northport Police Department, and the Michigan State Police Post in Leelanau. You can reach these departments through their respective contact information, listed on their individual websites.

Most Wanted List

The Sheriff's Office often seeks the public's assistance in locating individuals on the county's most wanted list. This list comprises individuals with outstanding warrants who are considered particularly dangerous or elusive. The most current version of this list can usually be found on the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office's official website.

Obtaining Copies of Police Reports and Criminal Records

In line with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), citizens can request copies of police reports and other criminal records from the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office. This may include incident reports, accident reports, arrest records, and other related documents.

To request a copy of a police report or criminal record:

1. Fill out a FOIA request form, which is available on the Leelanau County website.
2. Send your completed form by mail or deliver it in person to the Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office.
3. Pay the necessary fees for the document retrieval and duplication.

Please note that while most records are available to the public, there may be some exceptions for sensitive or confidential information.

Victim Assistance and Crime Prevention Programs

The Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to assisting victims of crime and preventing crime in the community. They provide several resources and services including:

• A Victim Assistance Program which supports victims and witnesses during the criminal justice process
• Crime prevention tips and resources available on their website
• Community outreach programs to educate and build relationships with residents

Recruitment and Employment

The Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office is always looking for dedicated and qualified individuals to join their team. Job postings for positions such as deputies, dispatchers, and administrative staff can be found on the Leelanau County's official employment page.

The application process typically involves a written exam, physical fitness test, oral board interview, thorough background check, and medical and psychological evaluations.

Reporting a Crime or Suspicious Activity

To report a crime or suspicious activity in Leelanau County, residents can contact the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office through their non-emergency line at (231) 256-8800. If you believe the situation is an emergency, always call 911. For anonymous tips, you can utilize the Michigan Crime Stoppers website.

Marine and Snowmobile Patrol

Aside from regular law enforcement duties, the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office also operates marine and snowmobile patrols to ensure safety and enforce laws in these areas. These specialized units respond to emergencies and accidents, perform safety inspections, and provide public education regarding water and snowmobile safety.

For inquiries regarding the marine or snowmobile patrol, you can contact the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office directly.

Interactions with the Judicial System

The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office interacts with the judicial system in various ways. Deputies often testify in court regarding their investigations, provide security for court proceedings, and transport inmates to and from court appearances. Additionally, they serve court documents such as summons, subpoenas, and eviction notices.

Emergency Management and Preparedness

Emergency management and disaster preparedness are crucial responsibilities of the Sheriff's Office. They work in close collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies to plan for, respond to, and recover from disasters and emergencies. For information about emergency management and how to prepare for various emergencies, visit the Leelanau County Emergency Management page.

Through their comprehensive array of services, the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office continues to uphold its commitment to maintaining law and order, protecting life and property, and serving the people of Leelanau County.

Community Policing and Neighborhood Watch Programs

In the spirit of fostering stronger community relationships, the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office actively promotes community policing practices. These initiatives are aimed at building trust, increasing public safety, and solving problems collaboratively with residents.

The office also supports neighborhood watch programs, which empower citizens to take an active role in preventing crime in their neighborhoods. For more information or to start a neighborhood watch program in your area, you can reach out to the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office directly.

Working with Other Agencies

The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office often works in conjunction with other agencies on shared tasks. This includes collaboration with the Michigan State Police, local fire departments, emergency medical services, as well as state and federal agencies. These partnerships facilitate a more effective and efficient response to crime, emergencies, and other public safety concerns.

Records Management and FOIA Requests

Records management is another key function of the Sheriff's Office. They maintain and manage criminal records, arrest warrants, incident reports, and other related documents. As mentioned earlier, the public can request access to these records in line with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

It's worth noting that FOIA requests should be as specific as possible to help expedite the process. For more information about the process or to obtain a FOIA request form, visit the Leelanau County FOIA Procedures and Guidelines page.

Traffic Enforcement

The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office is committed to promoting road safety through diligent traffic enforcement. Deputies enforce traffic laws, investigate vehicle accidents, and help manage traffic during public events or road construction. For up-to-date traffic alerts or information about traffic safety programs, check the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office official website.