Programs

Working closely with all concerned agencies ensures prompt investigation and reduces the trauma for victims and their families, The Rutherford County Sheriff's Department has an officer assigned to investigate child abuse cases. I assure that our department will work diligently to provide a safe environment for our children.
North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault-Mandatory Reporting In North Carolina

CRIMESTOPPERS
Crimestoppers of Rutherford County is a program established for the purpose of obtaining information about criminal activity.

Crime Stoppers of Rutherford County offers monetary rewards up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest for: any serious crime, the location of stolen property, the location of wanted persons and the location of illegal drugs.

Crime Stoppers provides anonymity (callers are given a code number instead of being asked to leave their name and calls are not traced or recorded).

From anonymous information furnished by citizens, Crime Stoppers of Rutherford County strives to reduce crime through an expanded and stronger relationship between our community, police and media.

HOW TO GIVE A CRIMESTOPPERS TIP
If you have any information about a crime that been committed...

Call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line...286 TIPS(828-286-8477).

Your information will be taken in strictest confidence. Anonymity is protected and you never have to give your name or any information about yourself.

You will be given a code number. This should be kept to yourself in order to remain anonymous.

After a few weeks, call Capt. Andrew Greenway at (828-288-3298) GIVING ONLY YOUR CONFIDENTIAL TIP CODE NUMBER and you will receive an update on the status of the investigation.

Tips that lead to the arrest of suspects , as well as the recovery of stolen property and drugs are eligible for CASH REWARDS which are paid to tipsters on an anonymous basis.

 K-9 PROGRAM
The Sheriff's Office Canine Program first started in 1991, with a single dog.  Since being elected in 2010, Sheriff Francis has expanded the program to include four dogs, with four handlers each serving different roles within the Sheriff's Office.  We currently utilize two Belgian Mallinois and two German Shepherds.  Our Canine teams perform tasks such as educational demonstrations for schools, churches, and other organizations.  Our canines are trained in narcotics detection, which aids officers in removing illegal drugs from the streets; tracking, which aids in locating missing persons or wanted criminals; and article searches, which aid us in locating lost items or "hidden" evidence.  All four dogs certify yearly through the North American Police Work Dog Association.

EMERGENCY COMMAND CENTER
Contains the most modern, updated communications equipment and mapping system. Is to be used in the event of any type emergency, county wide. The Command Center is available to municipalities and the Emergency Management Coordinator.

MEDICINE DROP BOX
The Medicine Drop Box is located in the lobby of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office at
198 N. Washington Street, Rutherfordton.
Accessible hours are 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Monday - Friday.

Rx and over the counter medicine accepted.
All pills must be in a bottle, blister pack, or sealed plastic food storage bag.
All bottles of liquid medication must be placed inside a sealed food storage bag.
No Needles are accepted.
RADIOACTIVE CHEMOTHERAPY DRUGS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

Project Lifesaver
The Project Lifesaver Program is designed to track and find Alzheimer's patients, Autistic children or individuals with a brain injury that tend to wander. 
For more information contact Justin McCluney at the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office at
828-447-6160.

ARE U OK?
The "Are You OK?"  program, was implemented in late 1990 is a telephone and computer based reassurance program designed to "call" our Rutherford County seniors or any Rutherford County Citizen that is living alone and shows a need for this program and help them and their family have peace of mind.
The "Are You Ok?" program provides the participants with the knowledge that someone cares and will be checking on them daily.

There is NO COST to you for use of "ARE YOU OK?" program.

How does the "Are You Ok?" program work?

1. The participant is called at their schedule time.
2. In the event of an emergency, we will notify their family and/or friends.
3. In the event of an emergency, an officer will respond to the participant's residence.
4. In the event of an emergency, notification of the appropriate emergency personnel will be made.

1. The participant MUST be near their phone at the time they are to be called.
2. After hearing the Sheriff' brief message, the participant must answer "Yes" or Press 1 if they are OK.
3. If the participant needs help at the time of the scheduled telephone call, DO NOT answer the telephone.  This will alert us to send an officer to investigate and assist the participant.
4. If the participant is not going to be home at the time of the scheduled call, please contact the Support Division of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at (828)287-6395. (My staff will gladly assist you in any way we can).  
5. Please make the participant's family and friends aware that they are on this program.