Sheriff's Message

In January 2017, I took office as Sheriff of Independence County. I made a promise to the citizens to improve the working relationship between all departments of Law Enforcement. I have accomplished that. In 2017 between all Law Enforcement agencies we were able to file over 400 felony cases in circuit court. That is the most in a single year that have been filed in some time.

In 2017 the Independence County Sheriff’s Department changed to a practical working uniform. With this new look we also were able to get donations to change the striping on our units to give them a new look. We were able to restructure the Independence County Sheriff’s Department.  We were able to restart our narcotics unit. Our narcotics unit has been involved in several drug investigations, controlled buys, and drug busts.  Our Criminal Investigation Unit has been able to solve several crimes and make arrests on them.

The patrol division is made up of 16 deputies that patrol the roads of Independence County. We have four deputies on each shift.  We work with a minimum of three at a time on duty.

We have partnered with the Law Enforcement Community Relations Team to provide active shooter training and ladies self defense classes to our citizens. This is a good program and urge anyone interested to find a class and attend it.

In March of 2017, we were able to obtain funding for Narcan and Trauma packs for all deputies. We provided training to all deputies and got the equipment issued.  We have been able to save lives with the issuance of the equipment. Deputies have used both the Narcan and supplies that were inside the Trauma packs to save lives.

In October of 2017, the Independence County Sheriff’s Department along with No Limits Therapy partnered with Stephanie Cooper to offer ALERT (Autism Law Enforcement Response Training) for all local law enforcement officers. This training gave us hands on experience on how to handle people with Autism.  All officers were given a kit to carry with them to assist in handling people with Autism.

In 2018 we have had some staffing problems at our jail. We have had to stop holding female inmates but we are getting our staffing numbers back up and working on bringing back female inmates.

In 2018 we were able to get new side arms for our deputies. We changed to the Glock 17 gen. 5.  With the change to the new guns, we have been able to go from shooting once a year to more firearms training for deputies and shooting a minimum of 4 times a year. We were also able to get donations from local businesses to build more targets to use.

With the hard work and dedication of our staff, we are working very hard to keep all our citizens safe. We strive to provide the best law enforcement available to our residents of Independence County.  We will continue to work hard for the citizens of Independence County.

Shawn Stephens

Independence County Sheriff
Sherrif

Latest News

Press Releases

Surplus Equipment

The Independence County Sheriff’s Office will be selling surplus equipment that is no longer in service.  This equipment will be sold on govdeals.com.  Once the equipment is listed, it will be for auction for two weeks on the govdeals.com website.

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April 1, 2024

Surplus Equipment

PRESS RELEASE

The Independence County Sheriff’s Office will be selling surplus equipment that is no longer in service.  This equipment will be sold on govdeals.com.  Once the equipment is listed, it will be for auction for two weeks on the govdeals.com website.

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July 6, 2021

Open Positions

The Independence County Sheriff’s Department is now accepting applications for Certified Deputy and Jail Administrator position(s). An application can be acquired at 1750 Myers Street, Batesville, Arkansas 72501.

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July 26, 2021

2021 JULY 4TH DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLEDOVER

2021 JULY 4TH DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 06/28/2021 CONTACT: Independence County Sheriff’s Office 870-793-8838                                                                This Independence Day, NHTSA Reminds Drivers: Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over Batesville Arkansas — This Independence Day, law enforcement in Independence County are participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over impaired driving awareness campaign. In support of the law enforcement community’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, you’ll see officers working together during this holiday weekend to take drunk drivers off the roads. These expanded efforts to protect against impaired driving will be conducted in a fair and equitable way.  According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 10,142 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2019 that involved an alcohol-impaired driver. With Fourth of July festivities wrapping up late in the evening, more cars will be on the roads at night. In 2019, 515 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the July 4th holiday period (6 p.m. July 3 to 5:59 a.m. July 8). Thirty-eight percent (198) of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. “We want our community to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday, but we also want responsible drivers on the roads,” said Sheriff Shawn Stephens. “We repeat this message constantly, but it is still a critical issue: Drunk driving is deadly and illegal. Remember: If you are caught drinking and driving, we will pull you over, and you will likely be arrested. Driving under the influence of any substance will land you a DUI.” From 2015 to 2019, there were 1,339 driver skilled in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the 4th of July holiday period. Thirty-eight percent (512) of the drivers killed were alcohol-impaired (BAC of.08+). During the 2019 July 4th holiday period, 69% of those who died in alcohol-impaired crashes were in a crash involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above .15. Nighttime hours are especially dangerous: Over the 2019 July 4th holiday period, of the198 people who died in alcohol-impaired motor vehicle traffic crashes, almost4 out of 5 (79%) of them occurred in nighttime crashes (6 p.m.–5:59 a.m.). “Sadly, many people think driving impaired is no big deal,” said Sheriff Shawn Stephens. “We’ve seen it all, and we can spot a drunk driver on the road. A DUI will follow you throughout your life, so this is a gamble that’s just not worth taking. Under no circumstances is it ever acceptable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after you’ve been drinking. Doing so endangers you, your passengers, and everyone on the road with you.” Celebrate with a Plan This Fourth of July, Independence County Sheriff’s Office and NHTSA are working together to urge drivers to designate a sober driver before heading out for the day. If you plan on drinking, plan on not driving.  Independence County Sheriff’s Office recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and driving: Remember that it is never okay to drink     and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a     sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get     home safely.  If available, use your community’s sober     ride program our local Taxi Service. If you see a drunk driver on the road,     contact our local law enforcement agency’s. Do you have a friend who is about to drink     and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend     home safely. This Fourth of July, commit to only driving100-percent sober. Don’t lose your independence on Independence Day, and don’t be a deadly risk to yourself and other innocent people. Remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. For more information on impaired driving, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving. 

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June 28, 2021

Mask Mandate

     The Independence County Sheriff’s Department is charged with protecting and serving all people without regard for the person’s race, color,creed, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, or disabilities.  The coronavirus (COVID-19) issue has caused many debates among people about the best way to handle this threat to our health, safety, and welfare.

      Having had the opportunity to carefully review the Governor’s executive order and the opportunity to speak directly to the Governor about the issues, I want to address the citizens of Independence County.  As Sheriff, I feel that the citizens and visitors of Independence County know when they should and should not wear a mask and whether they fall within one of the several exemptions of the face covering mandate.

      The response of the Independence County Sheriff’s Department for any call for service is always determined based on urgency, severity and the risk to citizens and we will direct our resources to calls based upon those criteria and public safety. All Law Enforcement Agencies in America today struggle with the challenge of sufficient manpower in the face of dramatic increases in violent and non-violent crimes. It’s a must that we prioritize the handling of all calls based on urgency and public safety.

     I would like to remind our citizens that our 911 system can quickly get overloaded, so refrain from using 911 to report any non-emergency issues. Please keep in mind that reporting a mask concern does not constitute an emergency.

      Independence County will not arrest, detain, or cite citizens for failure to comply with a mask mandate. It will be our practice to utilize verbal warnings to address a violation. A private business maintains its ability to make, or not make, rules in their own establishment, and to ask for the assistance of law enforcement to remove patrons who do not comply with store rules.  The Sheriff's Department will respond to complaint calls where a person has been asked by a local business owner to comply with the mask directive or leave the premises, but then refuses to leave.  This would constitute a criminal trespass matter that is a separate and distinct violation under the law.

     As Sheriff, my personal opinions have no bearing on the decisions that are made in these situations.  The Sheriff's Department does not make or pass laws, and we must rely on the courts to interpret the meaning of the language and provisions of the respective constitutions. 

     Persons having questions or concerns about the health directive, or non-compliance of the Governor's Executive Order, should contact the Arkansas Department of Health at (501) 661-2000.

Sheriff Shawn Stephens

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July 18, 2020

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contact@independencesheriff.org

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Independence County Sheriff's Office
1750 Myers Avenue
Batesville, Arkansas 72501

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+1 870-793-8838