The Sheriff of Berkeley County serves as the chief law enforcement officer and is charged with the responsibility of policing the county and keeping the peace, including the power to make arrests. The Sheriff also serves as the Treasurer of the county and collects all taxes levied by the county. To assist the Sheriff in the performance of his/her duties, law enforcement deputies, tax deputies and legal process deputies are employed. The office of County Sheriff is authorized by Article 9 of the West Virginia Constitution. The term of office for the County Sheriff is four years and a person may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
Duties and Responsibilities include:
- Serve and execute all returns, notices and processes issued by the courts which must be served in the county
- Act as bailiff in court proceedings
- Enforce court orders
- Administer transportation of prisoners, mental patients, and extraditions
- Issue licenses to citizens who apply for Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Permits
- Administer financial matters of adults who are unable to do so for themselves
- Collect all state, county, municipal and school taxes; disburse money to appropriate agencies
- Maintain all tax records
- Enforce payment of delinquent taxes
- Oversees Berkeley County Animal Control division, which investigates complaints of animal cruelty and inhumane treatment.
- Provide/Assign School Resource Officers to Berkeley County Schools.
- Oversees Volunteer Deputy Reserve Program