Sheriff’s Office

The Patrol Division of the Platte County Sheriff’s Office is housed in the Hall of Justice Building located at 2610 14th Street, Columbus, Nebraska. There are currently 20 full-time patrol deputies in the Patrol Division. All deputies are fully certified with jurisdictional powers within Platte County inclusive of the City of Columbus. Interlocal agreements with other law enforcement agencies within Platte County are presently in existence. Other agencies with jurisdiction of all or a part of Platte County include the Nebraska State Patrol, Columbus Police Department, Humphrey Police Department, and Nebraska Game and Parks Division.

Platte County encompasses both urban and rural settings. Columbus, the largest urban area, has a population of approximately 24,028 people. There are a number of smaller communities within Platte County, which include Duncan, Monroe, Platte Center, Tarnov, Humphrey, Creston, St. Bernard, Cornlea, and Lindsay. Platte County’s total population is approximately 34,296 people living in an area of approximately 686 square miles. Platte County is home to a number of major industries, including Behlen Manufacturing, Camaco, Becton-Dickenson, and Vishay to name a few. These industries not only offer job opportunities to local workers but also pull in a number of workers from surrounding counties.

Programs

Deputies of the Patrol Division have the opportunity to expand their relationship with county citizens by participating in the various programs that are offered by the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office also takes advantage of deputies’ special interests and training by having specialized investigators in accident investigation, crime scene investigation, child interviews, courtroom security, etc.

Duties

Deputies work a 40-hour work week, with 10-hour shifts. Some of their duties include county patrol, investigations, serving of civil process and arrest warrants, traffic enforcement, courtroom security, monitoring walk-through metal detector in the courthouse, and prisoner transports.

The Platte County Sheriff’s Office utilizes a variety of vehicles, 20 total in its law enforcement activities. All patrol units are equipped with modern multidirectional, overhead emergency light systems. All vehicles are equipped with radio communication equipment, including high band radio and state radio system for dispatch communications, mobile radar units, and in-car video camera systems.

Several four-wheel-drive vehicles are used by patrol deputies. The four-wheel drive vehicles are needed due to the type of inclement weather experienced in Nebraska, but they are used year round. All patrol units carry the same equipment, such as traffic cones, accident investigation equipment, evidence-gathering equipment, fire extinguisher, Stop Sticks, and first aid equipment, and shotguns and rifles are carried in some units.

Uniform

As outlined in Nebraska statutes, the official uniform of a Platte County deputy consists of a dark brown shirt, pink-tan trousers with dark brown stripe and black leather duty belt, holster, and accessories. Silver badges and name plates are worn by deputies; gold badges, name plates, and collar insignias are worn by persons with the rank of sergeant and above.