Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf presented the sheriff’s 2017 year-end report to the Barry County Commission Tuesday, highlighting the people and programs necessary to run the Barry County Jail.
The office has several divisions of trained personnel, including administrative personnel in the Law Enforcement and Corrections divisions, a Secondary Road Patrol, a K-9 Unit, a Marine Division, a Middleville Unit, Victim Service Unit, a records unit, Reserves and the Sheriff’s Posse, Leaf said.
Accomplishments in 2017 include installing kiosks in housing units, Taser and gun replacements, Corrections Officers training implemented, break away shower curtains installed, handguns replaced and new uniforms purchased.
Leaf said the sheriff’s office officers and employees are amazing, recognizing corrections officers at the jail. The inmate population has increased over the last several years; they were handling about 60 inmates, now they are working with up to 90 to 100.
“They are doing an awesome job…we’ve been sued only four times in the last 10 years and we won them all in the first step. That’s remarkable for a jail,” he said.
Some Enforcement Division statistics from 2017:
*9,027 complaints handled
*1,000 accidents investigated, 973 citations issues
*108 OWI/OWPD arrests
*326 animal control complaints investigated
*547 home checks
*999 sex offender registrations (some multiple times a year)
*71 vehicle inspections.
There were also figures on larcenies (179), retail fraud (17), home invasions (82), controlled substance violations (78), sexual assault (58), suicidal subjects, most asking for help (98), homicides (3), deaths-suicide (6), drug OD (5), and death investigations (42).
Leaf also told of warrants issued, stolen guns, stolen vehicles and “other.”
There was a total of 3,469 inmate admissions in 2017 with 2,956 men and 513 women, and an average daily population of 90. Finger printing, drug screens, visitors and meals served are also duties at the jail. Inmates also have programs available, including medical and mental health care, Forgotten Man Ministries, substance abuse education, community service, cognitive behavior and moral reconation therapy and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
