Harrison County Sheriff's Office

The Harrison County Sheriff's Department in Indiana handles law enforcement, corrections and civil work for the county through its jail, communications, civil, administrative and criminal divisions. A Reserve Division of volunteer sworn officers has served the county since 1983; once road qualified, reserves may work patrol and handle security and traffic at parades, charity runs, dignitary visits and the county fair. Tier I reserve candidates must be at least 21, hold an Indiana driver's license, have no criminal record beyond minor traffic violations and live in Harrison or a nearby county, and they go through background, psychological, medical, drug and fitness screening and a 40-hour pre-basic course. The canine unit is on call around the clock for patrol and detective work, with narcotics dogs that live with their handlers and a comfort dog sent to support children affected by crime. A horse patrol that began in the early 1980s as a part-time civilian group became a permanent unit; it helps with search and rescue and loose farm animals and appears at Relay for Life and Lanesville Heritage Weekend. The website also covers drug disposal, reports, background checks, gun permits, identity theft and sheriff's sales.