DIVISION COMMANDER

IN TRANSITION

The Court Security Division is responsible for maintaining appropriate levels of security in the courthouse and courtrooms, protect the integrity of the court procedures, sustain the rights of the individuals before it, deter those who would take violent action against the court or participants in court procedures and sustain the decorum of the court. Activities also include assisting and escorting jurors and witnesses, accompanying inmates to and from the detention facility, securing prisoner movement and monitoring within the courthouse and the coordination of evacuation and safety plans during emergencies.

The Buchanan County Sheriff's Department has ten employees in the Court Security division, which includes one captain, one sergeant and eight deputies. The six circuit courts each have a court marshal, which is a sworn deputy who works in the court system to maintain order. The remaining deputies perform different functions, such as monitoring the courthouse security camera system and working the metal detector at the front door of the Buchanan County Courthouse.

The security of the Buchanan County Courthouse begins at the front door. People entering the courthouse must place all handbags, briefcases, and anything in their pockets on the conveyor belt. This belt takes all possessions through an x-ray machine. Deputies survey the x-ray screen for any weapons and other items that may be hidden in the bags. As the person's possessions are riding through the conveyor system, he/she must step through the metal detector. The metal detector is shaped like a doorframe, and will beep if something metal is on the body that passes through. If the metal detector doesn't beep, the person may step to the front of the conveyor and pick up his/her belongings. If it does beep, the person must step to the side so that a deputy may search the person with a handheld metal detector. Some jewelry, gum wrappers, and even steel-toed boots may set the alarm off, so it is not unusual for people to be scanned with a handheld detector.

The hours of operation are between 7:15 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at (816) 271-1527.