One of the primary functions of the Administrative Support division is records processing. The Records Office is open to the public during normal business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M., where copies of accident and other public information reports may be obtained at the law enforcement records desk. The application form for the required permit to purchase a handgun may be completed and submitted at the same counter. A fingerprinting service is available between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. A nominal fee is charged for these services. Convicted sex offenders required to register must appear in person at the LSO/LPD Service Desk to complete the necessary documentation.
Records Unit
Staffed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, five highly trained "Records
System Specialists" (RSS), transcribe thousands of dictated reports and statements and make data entry
from various reports into the local CJIS (Criminal Justice Information System) network a year.
The RSS's are also TELEX certified and operate the Sheriff's Office, Nebraska Law Enforcement
Telecommunications System (NBLETS) terminal, a statewide
teletype network and data bank connected to the national system (NLETS). Law enforcement
agencies utilizing this system may communicate with one another and enter certain "wanted
information" into a data bank. Through electronic queries made by officers on the street, stolen
vehicles are located and wanted persons arrested. Records system specialists also perform
receptionist duties after-hours and assist the public at the LSO/LPD Service Desk during normal business hours.
Extraditions Unit
Extradition is the legal process of transferring custody of wanted persons across state
lines. A person wanted in Nebraska who is located and arrested in another state may or may not
waive extradition. If the person waives his/her right to an extradition hearing a deputy from this
office has to travel to the holding state and take custody of the prisoner. If a person refuses to
waive or "fights extradition" a lengthy procedure ensues which may take 90 days or more. Of
the approximately 70-75 individuals arrested in other states annually on Lancaster County felony
warrants, an average of 40-45 waive extradition and return voluntarily to Lincoln.
A sergeant is assigned to the Extraditions Unit and is responsible for coordinating the
extradition procedure and making arrangements for the return of the prisoner. The prisoner may
be returned to Lancaster County by car, commercial aircraft, or by contracting with one of several
private prisoner transportation services operating nationwide.
Personnel/Training Unit
The deputy assigned to Personnel/Training is responsible for applicant testing,
interviewing, background investigations and the general selection process. The Sheriff requires
that all deputies receive a minimum of 40 hours of in-service training a year. Traditionally the
Office conducts most training in the winter when calls for service are the lowest. The
personnel/training officer analyzes the training needs, seeks out suitable instructors then sets up a
training schedule so that all deputies may attend.
Crime Prevention/D.A.R.E. Unit
Crime prevention and the youth of the county are always a major concern. The deputy
assigned to this unit coordinates neighborhood watch areas and is the D.A.R.E. instructor for the
schools in Lancaster County. The local D.A.R.E.program is totally funded through private
donations, except for the deputy's wages, and is widely recognized as one of the best in the state.
Systems Management
Modern law enforcement agencies rely heavily on the use of computers
and computer applications. The Sheriff's Office has an in-house programmer
for the Criminal Justice Information System computer it shares with the
police and other local criminal justice agencies. In addition to programming
sheriff's applications, the Systems Manager coordinates
access to other computer systems through networks, provides internet programming,
retrieves information for statistical analysis, and sits on various committees
seeking Sheriff's Office data.
County Sheriff