Divisions
SHERIFF'S OFFICE DIVISIONS
OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF
The Georgia Constitution mandates that each county has a sheriff, and legislation designates the sheriff as the chief law enforcement officer in the county. In most counties with a sheriff and a county police department, the sheriff voluntarily relinquishes the general law enforcement responsibilities to the county police department, although he cannot be forced to do so. The sheriff retains the authority to intervene in any law enforcement effort within the county when he felt compelled to do so. This includes actions initiated by deputies of this agency who have witnessed a violation of law or in the absence of a county police officer.
The sheriff has the responsibility of protecting life and property and for preservation of the public peace. This includes all law enforcement functions associated with those endeavors.
In addition to providing physical security in the courtrooms and courthouse, the sheriff must serve as bailiff to the superior court or designate deputies to serve in that capacity. Bailiff duties include escorting juries to the courtroom, and if requested to do so, to their meals and hotel rooms. Bailiffs otherwise attend to the needs of the jury and guard them against outside influences. The sheriff is charged with serving all court summons, including subpoenas and civil process papers. In addition, the sheriff must execute all court-ordered levies on property to satisfy judgments-in court actions. The sheriff is also responsible for the transportation of mentally ill residents of his county to mental health emergency receiving facilities.
The sheriff is the official jailer of the county and is responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of all inmates. The courts have established strict guidelines that the sheriff must follow in providing these things to his inmates. The sheriff is also responsible for preventing the escape of inmates from the jail.
ADMINISTRATION
The Administrative Division manages the essential operations of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office including the agency’s finances, human resources and background investigations, information technology, planning and research, training, internal affairs, public relations, and fleet sections.
Ninety percent of the Sheriff’s budget is spent on personnel, while the remaining 10% accounts for contract services, insurance, and operating expenses.
Law Enforcement
Phone number: 404-612-5129 Warrants status information is not available by phone; subject of warrant must come to the FCSO located in the Fulton County Courthouse or the Fulton County Jail to receive warrant information. Warrant status information provided to subject of warrant only and proper photo ID is required to received warrant status information.
COURT SERVICES
The Court Services Division is responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of the Fulton County Justice Center Complex, the Juvenile Justice Center (JCC), operating and securing the jail courtrooms, and providing security for the North and South Service Centers.
Deputies and staff assigned to this Division are continuously working to keep persons who visit and work in the facilities safe. A key tool is the comprehensive security plan which provides the framework for the safe, effective operation of the Justice Center Complex.
This Division has three core objectives:
- Be responsive to the daily needs in all courtroom sessions for Superior, State, Probate, Extradition, and Domestic Legal Services Court as well as twice weekly Grand Jury Sessions.
- Identify and deter the entry of contraband and/or illegal objects by screening all incoming visitors and employees via search and visual observation, magnetometers, hand-held detectors and/or package scanners.
- Maintain a zero escape rate while transporting inmates and juveniles safely and securely to various courts and detention areas.
JAIL
Fulton County Jail (FCJ), commanded by the Chief Jailer, has two divisions: Administration and Operations. The FCJ is also responsible for providing comprehensive support services which consist of food services, medical services, and facility maintenance.
The Jail Division has made continuous improvements in inmate management, building security, and delivery of medical and food services. Jail Commanders have taken time to listen to staff directly and understand the challenges faced daily. Several adjustments have been made to the training program, performance expectations, and philosophy at the jail.
The quality of services delivered and professionalism of the staff at the Fulton County Jail is an inspiration for the Sheriff’s Office. The degree of scrutiny and quantity of change endured by staff over the past year is phenomenal.
Despite challenges, the staff members have risen to every occasion to self-evaluate, adapt external professional recommendations, and improve.
V.I.P.E.R.
Members of the the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office V.I.P.E.R. Operations are State of Georgia certified peace officers. The organization is led by Lt. Col. Jarrett Gorland, and assisted by Major James Anderson.
Our unit averages over 18,000 hours of service to the community each year. We provide security for community events, conduct massive cell searches at the Fulton County Jail, serve civil papers, execute arrest warrants, perform prisoner transfers and provide security for the courts. We also perform crime suppression duties, DUI enforcement duties, traffic enforcement, and conduct tactical operations with our SWAT team. Our organization also provides a host of support duties for its personnel, by providing administrative, training, event planning, and technology/communications support.
If you are looking for a way to give back to the community, we invite you to join our team. There is no other organization in the metro Atlanta area that does as much for our community.
Whatever your desires may be, we have a place for you within the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office V.I.P.E.R. Operations.