|
|
Published October 24, 2007 07:40 pm - COLUMBUS, Kan. — Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Norman on Wednesday faxed a statement to police chiefs in Galena and Columbus, telling them to stay on their own turf.
Sheriff, police agencies at odds over turf w/ Cherokee County Sheriff's memo
By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
COLUMBUS, Kan. — Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Norman on Wednesday faxed a statement to police chiefs in Galena and Columbus, telling them to stay on their own turf.
The police chiefs said their officers respond outside their respective city limits only when dispatched by the Sheriff’s Department when a Sheriff’s deputy is not immediately available.
Norman disputed that, saying the police departments were “jumping calls.”
“They don’t have any jurisdiction outside of their city limits,” Norman said in a phone conversation.
‘It’s their baby’
Norman’s faxed statement says that police departments in Baxter Springs, West Mineral and Weir each have mutual-aid agreements with the Sheriff’s Department that allows them to go outside of their jurisdictions and which covers liability concerns. He said in a subsequent phone conversation that the Chetopa Police Department also has a mutual-aid agreement with the Sheriff’s Department.
“Any request from Columbus officers or Galena officers to first-respond into the county will politely be denied unless otherwise approved by Undersheriff (Kent) Soucy or myself,” Norman wrote.
In another line from the statement that is difficult to read, Norman wrote: “No patrol deputy or communications officer has the authority to have these agencies respond outside of their respective jurisdictions.”
The statement says that the Sheriff’s Department will not assume authority of a crime or accident scene where the two police departments have arrived first.
“We’re not going to assume the liability,” Norman said in the phone interview.
He said if the police departments arrive first at a crime scene or accident scene outside their jurisdictions “it’s their baby.”
‘Lives at stake’
Galena police Chief Larry Delmont and Columbus police Chief Chuck Sharp each said that the only time they have gone outside their city limits is when the Sheriff’s Department has dispatched them to a call when a Sheriff’s deputy has not been available.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|

: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
ORTHOPAEDIC
Specialist of the Four States is currently accepting applications for the following postiions: Physical Therapist, Occcu...>MORE
See all ads |
|
VOLKSWAGEN, 1998 BEETLE,
black, 5 speed, looks, runs and drives great, only 84,000 miles, $3400. 417-621-0850....>MORE
See all ads |
|
NO CREDIT NEEDED QUALIFY
for 0 down Own completely remodeled 2/2 16x80 single section manufacturered home, 2 acres, trees, corner lot, large deck...>MORE
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
NO CREDIT
needed qualify for 0 down Own completely remodeled 3/2 16x80 single section manufacturered home, 2 acres, new front deck...>MORE
1995 16x72 2 BR, 2 BA,
fully furnished, all appliances, 1 owner, beautiful, smoke free, must move. $17,500. (417)423-2385....>MORE
See all ads |
|
BASS BOAT, 2005
Lowe aluminum, 17’, 2005 90 hp Mercury, 2006 trailer, excellent shape, low hours. $7,500. (417)776-8846 evenings or 417-...>MORE
TEA CUP
Chihuahua pup, female, shots, wormed. Information (417)843-2735...>MORE
1993 KUBOTA 1560
lawn tractor, 42” cut with bagger, $800. (417)364-8231....>MORE
CRAFTSMAN
radial 10” arm saw; skil saw 7 1/4”; Singer Featherweight machine; clocks/pocket watches; 7.62-54 rifle, accessories; Ca...>MORE
10 YEAR OLD BUCKSKIN
mare, 14-hands, broke for anyone, $750; miniature Jack and bred Jenny, $400 pair. (417)434-3700....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|