Area Community Guide • March 2026
Page 47
SHERIFF PROVIDES ESSENTIAL SERVICES FROM EXPANDED FACILITIES
From deputies on patrol in all-weather at all hours to those keeping the jail and courts secure, the Isanti County Sheriff’ s Office provides citizens with many services that create public safety and peace of mind.
Sheriff Wayne Seiberlich, elected in 2023 to a four-year term, a Chief Deputy, a Captain, a Lieutenant, four patrol sergeants, four investigators( one assigned to the East Central Drug and Violent Offenders Task Force) and 13 deputies keep a constant patrol on the county and all meet or exceed the licensing standards for Minnesota peace officers. They also incorporated a full-time Emergency Manager. We have 2 K9 positions and a Therapy Dog incorporated into patrol and investigations.
The Sheriff’ s office takes responsibility for citizen protection, law enforcement, jail administration and operations, prisoner transport, courtroom security, community education and outreach. The office’ s ongoing mission is:“ To serve with honor, integrity and pride, to treat each person with respect and dignity and perform duties in a professional, efficient and impartial manner for the citizens of Isanti County.”
The sheriff’ s administration and patrol division, housed in 16,000 square feet in the former Ford building at 2440 S. Main St., serves civil-process papers, and provides canine-officer services. Three investigators and the Task Force Agent have special training to handle the region’ s complex crimes.
The Isanti County Sheriff’ s Office partners with Chisago, Kanabec, and Pine counties as part of a special task force focused on violent and drug-related crime in east-central
Minnesota. One deputy is assigned to the Drug Task Force.
The department maintains one used-prescription drug drop off location, the 2440 building.
Sheriff Seiberlich confirms that the website offers many resources, too, such as information on how to deal with worthless checks, tips to prevent identity theft and financial crimes, winter-awareness guidance, strategy for handling harassing phone calls, and more. Also online at the site are a list of public-auction items at www. publicsurplus. com.
Sheriff Seiberlich said people can sign up for the‘ Everbridge’ emergency-notification system to be alerted when there is law-enforcement activity in the area, such as active suspects or disaster response. Citizens can register online at the Isanti County website for the alerts and add their land-line or cellphone number, as well as an e-mail address.
Triad is a national program and partnership between law enforcement, seniors and community groups. Meetings are held at the SAC Cafe the last Friday of each month.
The sheriff’ s office is an Alzheimer’ s and dementia-friendly agency, and staff members have received training on how to deal with the specific issues that arise in these situations. Through the Project Lifesaver Program, the department provides enhanced support to help track and locate individuals suffering from Alzheimer’ s disease or a related dementia disorder, as well as families of children afflicted with Down Syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injuries, or cognitive impairments.
The office also sends out other information via social media including Facebook and Twitter. Tweets and posts might include information about current events, safety tips, or reminders to designate a sober driver.
Several volunteer groups also assist the sheriff’ s office. The Police Explorers Program offers a way for young people in the community to participate. Safety and Rescue assists in traffic control, water rescues, and other incidents as needed. The Mounted Patrol uses horses to assist in searches, parades, and other large events. The Sheriff’ s Chaplains assist those in the community who are facing a crisis and need a faith-based person to help, as needed.
The dispatch center efficiently answers 911 calls and dispatches police and fire services from the 509 building. By using the space vacated by administration in 2016, the dispatch center grew from 350 square feet to 1,100 square feet. It includes four stations and the option for two more.
The department has the ability to store its emergency vehicles inside so that they don’ t get too cold to start in winter and don’ t get damaged by summer storms or heat. It creates a secure area for prisoners entering and exiting the building.
The sheriff’ s office includes the county jail, which was originally built in 1984 and expanded in 2005 to increase its holding capacity from 39 to 111 prisoners with an average hold of approximately 30 inmates. The facility is staffed by 29 correction officers, a jail administrator, an assistant jail administrator, and four sergeants. Court Security consists of two full-time bailiffs and 12 parttime court security guards. They operate the metal detector at the front
SHERIFF see page 49