Beford County Sheriff's Department

Letter From The Sheriff

MISSION STATEMENT

 

Our mission "To enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Bedford County, Tennessee through teamwork and mutual cooperation between the community and the Sheriff's Department; to provide the most qualified, well trained, and educated officers in the county; to preserve the peace, enforce the law, and ensure secure prisoner facilities, thus providing a safe environment for all the citizens of Bedford County." 

 

Bedford County Sheriff's Department

 

Our Services are available 24 hours a day, year round for Emergencies. Non-Emergencies are handled Monday thru Friday between (0800-1600) hours.

 

HOW TO CALL

  • EMERGENCIES--- DIAL 911 24 HOURS A DAY

  • SHERIFF DEPARTMENT --684-3232 FAX--685-1322 (Any time 24 hours a day).

  • DETECTIVES --685-1334 (0800-1600) Monday thru Friday

  • SHERIFF TIP LINE --685-1335 ANYTIME

  • JAIL--684-4566 General Inmate and Visitation information (Any time 24 hours a day).

  • JAIL ADMINISTRATION --684-0893 FAX--684-7221 (0800--1600) Monday thru Friday

 

SPECIAL SERVICES

 

1. FINGERPRINTING-- MONDAY THRU FRIDAY in the JAIL booking room. FEE- Bedford County Citizens--FREE Daily- 0830-1100 and 1300 -1530 ALL civil fingerprinting to (include INS) are done on a space available basis. Any time inmates are using the booking room or new arrestees have been brought in fingerprinting will stop until the booking area is clear and is safe for the citizen.

2. RECORDS- MONDAY THRU FRIDAY (0600 - 1800) in Sheriff Office Lobby The Sheriff Department Communications Section provides front lobby support such as receptionist, switchboard operations, mail processing, clerk, radio communication (has county wide capabilities law enforcement, public safety, Shelbyville PD dispatcher Comm. Center, TCIC/NCIC network) and public relations. All records pertaining to gun permits, county investigated accidents, county investigated incidents, court summons and various other reports may be picked up at the Sheriff Office lobby window. Pick-up of recovered property will be arranged. To arrange call 615-684-3232 and you will be put in contact with the person\persons that are responsible for the items to be returned to you.

3. INMATE VISITATIONS- SATURDAY thru MONDAY 0800-1600 in the Jail Lobby. Make appointments by calling-931-684-4566 The inmates of Bedford County Sheriff Department are allowed one (1) hour of visitation per week. The inmate may refuse an unofficial visit. No prior FELON may visit unless they are the next of kin and prior approval is obtained. VISITS are by APPOINTMENT ONLY. NO CONTACT VISITS ARE AUTHORIZED. No items may be brought to inmates of Bedford County Jail. All items in an inmates possession that was not processed by the jail staff is considered contraband and will be confiscated and destroyed under TCA CODE § 55-5-108. Persons attempting to introduce contraband to any inmate will be charged under TCA CODE § 39-16-201, a Class C Felony.

 

 

CITIZEN COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

 

The Sheriff Department is committed to providing exceptional service to all citizens via a problem solving, community based approach which emphasizes the pursuit of excellence. Sheriff employees are carefully selected, provided with the best training possible, and are held to the highest personal and professional standards. Understanding that our agency's credibility depends upon the community's belief that we can police ourselves, we stand committed to the diligent pursuit of the truth. With this in mind, we are providing the following information regarding how a personnel complaint may be filed and how those complaints are investigated and adjudicated.

 

HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT

Any person wishing to file a formal complaint against a member of the Sheriff Department may do so by contacting any supervisor of the Sheriff Department. The complaint must be submitted in person to initiate a formal investigation. Informal complaints may be handled in person or by phone with a Sheriff supervisor. A Sheriff supervisor will assist any person in filling out the proper forms needed to initiate a formal complaint against a member of the Sheriff department. The completed complaint will be submitted to the SHERIFF via the chain of command. The Sheriff will review the complaint and will assign the matter to a special case investigator. It will be the responsibility of the investigator to thoroughly investigate all allegations of employee misconduct. The person filing the complaint will be notified by the investigator as to the outcome of the investigation and whether the complaint has been classified as Substantiated, Unsubstantiated, or unfounded. Information concerning specific disciplinary actions against employees MAY NOT be released to the public.

 

WHEN IS A COMPLAINT SUBSTANTIATED?

A complaint is classified as "SUBSTANTIATED" when the investigation reveals that the allegation(s) are true and a violation of the Sheriff Department policy. In these cases, the department may take one of the following actions against the concerned employee(s). 1. Employee counseling 2. Written warning 3. Suspension 4. Termination A complaint is classified as "UNSUBSTANTIATED" when there is not enough evidence to either prove or disprove the allegation(s). A complaint is classified as "UNFOUNDED" when the investigation reveals that the complaint is without foundation, basis, or that the alleged actions simply did not occur.

 

FALSE COMPLAINTS

Citizens should be aware that persons filing false complaints against Sheriff employees may be prosecuted under the authority of TCA CODE § 39-16-502. Officers may also pursue a civil recourse against persons who file a complaint against them under false pretenses.

 

 

IN CLOSING

 

If it becomes necessary for you to make a complaint, you can be assured that the matter will be given a fair and thorough investigation. By the same token, please let us know when our officers impress you with their professionalism and dedication to duty. The members of the Bedford County Sheriff Department are dedicated to serving you. Please feel free to contact us at any time.

 

Randall Boyce
 Sheriff