HISTORY

About B.C.S.O.

B.C.S.O. Coat of Arms

The idea for the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Coat of Arms was initially introduced by Chief Deputy Anthony E. Dwyer. Capt Norman Lewis was called upon to design the Coat of Arms, and with the assistance of Sergeant Mark Ketteler and Computer Specialist Ken Carpenter, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Coat of Arms was developed.

B.C.S.O. Code of Ethics

As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression, the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality, and justice.

I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others, honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life.

I will be exemplary of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty. I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice of ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.

I recognize the badge of my Office as a symbol of public faith and I accept it as a symbol of public faith and I accept it as the public trust to be held as long as I am true to the ethics of Law Enforcement. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself, before God, to my chosen profession....Law Enforcement.

B.C.S.O. History

1803

In 1803, James Blackburn was elected as the first Butler County Sheriff. The U.S. Army gave a Powder Magazine building to the Sheriff and it became the first Butler County Jail, capable of housing four prisoners.

1806

In 1806, a second jail was built on the south side of Public Square in Hamilton, Ohio. The jail measured 33 feet by 30 feet and was two stories high. This facility was capable of housing twelve prisoners. This jail served the county for the next 40 years.

1846

In 1846, plans for the third Butler County Jail were completed. The jail was built for the sum of $8, 581.00. The "modern" facility was capable of holding 80 prisoners. It remained in service for the next 122 years.

1969

In 1969 the Commissioners awarded a contract for the construction of a 138 bed facility at a cost of 1 million dollars. Shortly after the new building was dedicated in 1972, it was already too small and deemed obsolete.

1989

In 1989 the Sheriff's Office teamed with Fort Hamilton Hughes Hospital, Area Court Judges and the County Commissioners to establish Minimum Security Jail for offenders of non-violent crimes. This facility, "Resolutions", was the first full-service, state approved, Minimum Security Jail in Ohio.

1996

1996 marked the beginning of the construction of "Resolutions II", an expansion of the Resolutions Jail, forming the Butler County Correctional Complex for non-violent misdemeanor crimes. When fully operational in 1997, this complex was able to house over 200 inmates.

2000

In 2000, the Sheriff's Office and County Commissioners began the construction of a new, Direct Supervision, Maximum Security jail at a cost of approximately 40 million dollars. This new jail, "The Butler County Corrections Center" is able to house around 750+ prisoners. The Butler County Operational Headquarters and Corrections Center completely opened in August of the year 2002 and now houses all Departmental Headquarters and the Butler County Jail.

Mission Statement

The Butler County Sheriff's Office is devoted to excellence in all aspects of service provided to our community and its visitors. We are dedicated to enhancing our citizens quality of life by reducing crime and the fears associated with crime.

Core Values

Honesty - Fostering sincerity, openness, and transparency.

Integrity - Adhering to moral and ethical principles.

Humility - Modesty of one’s own importance.

Sense of Community - Being part of, not above, those we serve.

Motto - "Secteur Agendo", Let us be judged by our actions.

See also: BCSO Annual Reports

Other information:

• Butler County, Ohio government website
• Butler County information on Wikipedia
• Butler County Census Data
• Butler County Visitors Bureau
• Learn more about Ohio sheriffs from the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association

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