In a time when great uncertainties about the safety and security within our local schools, shopping centers and government buildings permeate the minds of concerned citizens , you can rest assured that the Hillsdale County Sheriff Department guards against these terrible perils of the day. As Sheriff of Hillsdale County , I took an oath of office that mandates me to secure the safety of each of our residents, guest and visitors. To that end, you can rest in knowing that the Hillsdale County Sheriff Department has taken the lead in local law enforcement to provide this needed comfort and solace of protection. We affirm that school teachers will not teach in fear of their lives, business owners will not be afraid to operate their livelihood and citizens will not be held hostage within their own homes. We value each member of our community and will defend the freedoms and liberties entitled to each citizen guaranteed to him under the Constitution of the United States of America. In an effort to achieve these ends, the Sheriff Department over the past several years has taken a “restructuring " toward excellence, education and community oriented policing. We hold certain truths and law enforcement philosophies as the basis of our operation that I would like to share with each reader. First, the mission statement which serves as a driving force to each officer on patrol dictates; "To protect all citizens of Hillsdale County by preventing unlawful activities" . Certainly, the Hillsdale County Sheriff Department embodies this mission statement in all of our endeavors at securing the liberties of each citizen. Through the implementation of our community policing, we have effectively reduced the alarming number of exponential increases in serious criminal offences within Hillsdale County. With the inception of our school resource program, we have seen a decrease in the number of “serious" violations as police officers now monitor hallways, bathrooms and remote areas where juvenile criminal activity occurred. With the restructuring of our Detective Bureau, we can now effectively manage, monitor and investigate crimes within Hillsdale County that has lead to successful prosecution and incarceration. Our Internet Crimes Unit has rigorously investigated violators who seek to be predators against young children. Our recently incepted Canine Unit has yielded great success at tracking down violent criminals and rescuing missing children returning them to the loving arms of their parents. With our Undercover Narcotics Unit, we have been successful at reducing the drug problems taking the lead in the apprehension of drug dealers and seizing large quantities of illegal substances. Further more, we are better equipped to investigate accidents and crime scenes with the appointment of two deputies to our Accident Investigation Unit and two deputies to our Criminologist Department. These deputies have spent hundreds of hours training, studying and implementing investigation techniques to effectively determine the origin of negligence and criminal activities. I would encourage each of you to take a few minutes to click on these divisions listed within this web site to learn more. As Sheriff, I am proud of the accomplishments of the Hillsdale County Sheriff Department. I am grateful to the men and women of this department who risk their lives protecting the innocent children, mothers, fathers and members of this community. I am even more indebted to the residents of Hillsdale County who place their continued trust within the Sheriff Department. I look forward to continuous service as your Sheriff and encourage you to become an involved citizen in the communities in which you live. May God Bless America and continue to stretch his hands of mercy and protection over each and every one of you. Sheriff Stan W. Burchardt