Sheriff's Office

Mission statement

Protection with integrity, service and empathy.

Department overview

The sheriff's office has a long history dating back to early English system of government where the “shire reeve” or sheriff was liaison between the people and the monarch. The sheriff settled disputes, dispensed advice, and generally kept the peace of the land before and after the common law era. The office of sheriff is one of the longest standing traditions of the English law system dating back to the seventh century A.D. and was imported to the colonies and subsequently adopted and democratized by the states.

In Minnesota, the sheriff is elected every four years, maintaining a direct connection between the populace and the chief law officer of the county. The Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement protection and service throughout the county, operates and maintains a detention facility (jail), act as officers of the court provide courthouse security and prisoner conveyance, directs emergency management, conduct search and rescue operations, and oversees recreational education and enforcement.

Emergency alerts

Get alerted about emergencies and other important community news: sign up for our Emergency Alert Program.
This system provides critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods.
Time-sensitive messages will be delivered to wherever you specify: home, cell or business phone, email address, text messages and more. Individuals who need assistance can register by calling Rice and Steele 911 at 507-334-4391.

Anonymous tips online
To submit a tip: Text RICECO + your tip to 847411
*web submissions are temporarily suspended *
Tip submissions may not be received until the following day. In case of emergency, dial 911. For tip submissions requiring an immediate response, contact Rice County Sheriff's Office.

Policies

Body-worn camera policy
The primary purpose of using a body-worn camera (BWC) is to capture evidence arising from peace officer-citizen encounters. This policy reflects a balance between the desire to establish exacting and detailed requirements and the reality that deputies must attend to their primary duties and the safety of all concerned, often in circumstances that are tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving. This policy also sets forth rules governing access to and retention of BWC data.

Find the entire policy here Version OptionsSheriff's OfficeHeadline.

Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) operations policy
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the use of unmanned aerial system (UAS) and for the storage, retrieval and dissemination of images and data captured by the UAS.

Find the entire policy here Version OptionsSheriff's OfficeHeadline.