Sheriff's Office

The Escambia County Sheriff's Office (ECSO) plays a pivotal role in maintaining public safety and ensuring justice across Escambia County, Florida. Its mission is to protect life and property while promoting peace and order within the community. This article provides a detailed overview of the various divisions and services within the ECSO, along with their key functions, responsibilities, and the benefits they offer to residents and visitors. From law enforcement units to specialized services, the Sheriff's Office offers a broad range of essential services aimed at protecting the county and its inhabitants.

The Core Mission of the Escambia County Sheriff's Office

The Escambia County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the community through effective, responsible law enforcement. Led by Sheriff Chip W. Simmons, the ECSO’s mission revolves around providing public safety, preventing crime, and upholding the law with integrity and fairness. The office is committed to ensuring that all citizens, regardless of background, are protected from harm and treated with respect.

The Sheriff's Office is responsible for enforcing the law, maintaining order, and serving the citizens of Escambia County. With its wide-reaching jurisdiction, it performs various vital functions including patrolling, investigating crimes, maintaining public records, and providing specialized services such as disaster response, gang prevention, and tactical support through its specialized units.

Key Divisions and Units of the Escambia County Sheriff's Office

Patrol Unit: Guardians of Public Safety

The Patrol Unit is the frontline of law enforcement in Escambia County. Comprising 229 dedicated deputies, this unit provides 24/7 protection across the unincorporated areas of the county. Patrol deputies are the first responders to emergency situations, investigating crimes, enforcing traffic laws, and performing various public safety duties.

The primary functions of the Patrol Unit include:

Emergency Response: Deputies respond to emergency calls, offering immediate assistance in a wide range of situations such as accidents, medical emergencies, and criminal activities.

Traffic Enforcement: Deputies actively patrol to deter dangerous driving, including speeding and impaired driving, to ensure public safety on the roads.

Crime Prevention: Through constant presence in the community, patrol deputies deter crime by being highly visible, engaging with citizens, and conducting proactive enforcement.

For more detailed information on patrol-related matters, the Patrol Unit can be reached at 850-436-9630.

Investigations Unit: Solving and Preventing Crimes

The Investigations Unit is tasked with handling more complex criminal cases that require thorough investigation and follow-up. This unit is divided into several specialized teams, including the Major Crimes Unit, Property Crimes Unit, Economic Crimes Unit, and Computer Crimes Unit.

Major Crimes Unit: Focuses on violent crimes such as murder, sexual assault, and robbery. These investigators work relentlessly to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and make arrests.

Property Crimes Unit: Investigates thefts, burglaries, and motor vehicle crimes, ensuring that criminals are held accountable for their actions.

Economic Crimes Unit: Handles financial crimes, including fraud, identity theft, and scams, often working closely with other law enforcement agencies and financial institutions.

For inquiries related to investigations, contact the Investigations Unit at 850-436-9580.

Narcotics Unit: Combatting Drug Crimes

The Narcotics Unit is vital in addressing the growing issue of illegal drug use and distribution in Escambia County. This unit specializes in drug trafficking investigations and works collaboratively with other agencies to dismantle drug cartels and prevent the spread of illicit substances. Some of their key responsibilities include:

Surveillance: Conducting covert operations to gather intelligence on drug dealers and distribution networks.

Undercover Operations: Deploying officers undercover to infiltrate drug rings and gather evidence for successful arrests.

Public Education: Raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and promoting prevention programs within the community.

To report drug-related activity, contact the Narcotics Unit at 850-471-0672.

SWAT Unit: Specialized Tactical Response

The SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) Unit is a specialized team trained to handle high-risk, critical situations such as hostage rescues, barricaded suspects, and active shooter scenarios. Equipped with advanced weapons and tactical gear, SWAT officers respond swiftly to resolve crises while minimizing risk to the public and officers alike.

Key functions of the SWAT Unit:

Rapid Response: Able to deploy at a moment’s notice to address dangerous and volatile situations.

Crisis Resolution: Trained in de-escalation tactics, the SWAT team aims to resolve incidents with minimal harm to civilians and suspects.

Specialized Equipment: The unit is equipped with armored vehicles, advanced firearms, and protective gear to handle high-stress operations.

For emergencies requiring SWAT intervention, contact the SWAT Unit at 850-436-9630.

Communications Unit: The Lifeline of Law Enforcement

The Communications Unit acts as the critical link between the public and law enforcement. Available 24/7, the unit handles emergency calls, dispatches deputies, and monitors public safety systems. In 2023 alone, the unit handled over 333,000 phone calls, including nearly 66,000 emergency 911 calls.

Key responsibilities include:

Emergency Call Handling: Responding to 911 calls and providing dispatch instructions to officers in real-time.

Incident Coordination: Prioritizing and coordinating response efforts based on the severity of the incident.

Public Safety Information: Disseminating vital information about emergencies or ongoing investigations.

Reach the Communications Unit at 850-436-9620.

K9 Unit: Enhancing Law Enforcement with Canine Expertise

The K9 Unit at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is essential for detecting narcotics, locating suspects, and assisting in search and rescue operations. With 16 handlers and specially trained dogs, the K9 Unit is a versatile tool in crime prevention and resolution.

Key functions of the K9 Unit:

Narcotics Detection: Dogs are trained to detect a variety of drugs, helping deputies combat drug-related crimes.

Search and Rescue: Canines assist in locating missing persons, both adults and children, as well as crime-related evidence.

Apprehension of Suspects: Trained to apprehend dangerous suspects without putting officers at risk.

For more information on the K9 Unit, contact the department at 850-436-9630.

Gang Prevention Unit: Tackling Crime at Its Roots

The Gang Prevention Unit is dedicated to preventing gang activity and minimizing its impact on Escambia County. By targeting at-risk youth, providing educational resources, and disrupting gang operations, the unit works proactively to reduce crime in the community.

Services provided by the Gang Prevention Unit include:

Community Outreach: Educating youth on the dangers of gang involvement and providing alternative paths.

Targeted Enforcement: Conducting operations to identify and arrest individuals involved in gang-related crimes.

Collaboration: Working with schools, local leaders, and community organizations to build a united front against gang violence.

If you have information on gang-related activity, report it to the Gang Prevention Unit by calling 850-433-7867.

Financial Services Unit: Managing Public Funds

The Financial Services department within the ECSO is responsible for managing the office's budget and finances. This department ensures that the Sheriff’s Office has the necessary resources to provide quality services to the community while adhering to fiscal responsibility.

Key roles of the Financial Services include:

Budgeting: Preparing the agency's annual budget and ensuring proper allocation of funds.

Grant Management: Securing and managing grants to support law enforcement operations and initiatives.

Purchasing and Property: Overseeing the acquisition of materials, equipment, and resources necessary for law enforcement duties.

For financial inquiries, contact the Financial Services Unit at 850-436-9630.

Civil Unit: Ensuring Legal Processes Are Upheld

The Civil Unit at the Escambia County Sheriff's Office is responsible for executing and enforcing judicial orders, including subpoenas, evictions, and levies. Deputies in this unit ensure that civil processes are carried out in compliance with the law.

Key responsibilities of the Civil Unit:

Service of Legal Documents: Delivering subpoenas, summonses, and other legal orders.
Evictions: Enforcing eviction orders to ensure tenants comply with the law.
Levy and Sale Enforcement: Carrying out property seizures in accordance with court orders.

Contact the Civil Unit at 850-436-9554.

Relevant Departments, Addresses, and Phone Numbers

Here is the contact information for key departments within the Escambia County Sheriff's Office:

Patrol Unit: 850-436-9630
Investigations Unit: 850-436-9580
Narcotics Unit: 850-471-0672
SWAT Unit: 850-436-9630
K9 Unit: 850-436-9630
Traffic Unit: 850-436-9630
Civil Unit: 850-436-9554
Communications Unit: 850-436-9620
Dive Unit: 850-436-9630
Drone Unit: 850-436-9630
Cold Case Unit: 850-436-9630
Gang Prevention Unit: 850-433-7867
Financial Services: 850-436-9630
Warrants Unit: 850-436-9630
Public Records Unit: 850-436-9501

Address:
1700 West Leonard Street,
Pensacola, Florida 32501.

For more detailed information, visit the Escambia County Sheriff's Office website.

Escambia County Sheriff's Office FAQs

How can I file an E-Report with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office?

To file an E-Report, you can use the official system provided by the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. This service allows individuals to report minor crimes or incidents online, offering a convenient method to document and submit reports. It is available for specific types of criminal complaints, and more details can be found on the official Escambia County Sheriff's Office website.

How do I access information on an individual's criminal history or arrest report?

To obtain criminal history or arrest reports, you can visit the Public Records Unit of the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. They handle requests for local criminal background checks, offense reports, and other related documents. Requests can be made online through their official Public Records Request Center, or by contacting the department directly. More details are available on the Public Records Unit page.

What is the role of the Escambia County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit?

The Narcotics Unit is tasked with investigating and combating illegal drug trafficking in Escambia County. The unit conducts undercover operations, surveillance, and collaborates with federal and local law enforcement to dismantle drug networks. Additionally, the unit plays a key role in public education campaigns aimed at preventing drug abuse. If you have information about drug-related activity, you can report it by contacting the Narcotics Unit.