Le Mars, Iowa — Sheriffs and deputies from around northwest Iowa gathered recently to talk about what works and what doesn’t, and to network with their counterparts.
Lyon County Sheriff Stewart Vander Stoep says they’ve been getting together every quarter.
He tells us that sheriffs and some deputies come from the greater northwest Iowa area.
Sheriff Vander Stoep says it’s an idea that’s gaining traction elsewhere in the state as well.
Sheriffs offices are a little different from other law enforcement agencies. For one thing, sheriffs are the only elected law enforcement officers. They are also the only agency that handles the civil process, court security, the county jail, and 911 communications. Plus they’re the only ones that handle gun permits. And that’s one area in which Vander Stoep says they’ve been able to learn from each other.
Vander Stoep says it’s nice to know the sheriffs in the area on a first-name basis. He says it makes contacting sheriffs in other jurisdictions easier and more productive.
