Mission Statement

          The mission of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is to maintain social order within prescribed ethical and constitutional limits while providing professional law enforcement, detention, courthouse security, legal paper service, and communications services. This agency enforces the law in a fair and impartial manner, recognizing both the statutory and judicial limitations of police authority and the constitutional rights of all persons.  

          The operation of the Oconee County Sheriff's Office shall be based upon our stated mission AND shall be funded by resources authorized by the county’s governing authority. 

          The formulation of goals and objectives are an essential part of organizational management and are directly related to the development of the agency’s budget. Agency goals are general statements of the Sheriff’s strategic direction for the agency; are directly related to the agency’s Mission Statement; and serve to form the basis for organizational decision making. Normally, goals remain constant over time and do not change, unless the mission of the agency is modified OR there are significant changes imposed upon the organization by legislative, legal, social, or other environmental influences.   

          The goals of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office are to provide services that assist victims of crime and that contribute to the preservation of life, the protection of property, and the safety of the community; prevent crime by limiting the opportunities for illegal behavior by designing proactive programs to help those in greatest need; conduct criminal investigations to maximize the successful identification and prosecution of law violators; provide peace and public order and render assistance during times of natural disasters or emergency occurrences; maintain individual professionalism through comprehensive training and by establishing appropriate policies, programs, and procedures; adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards of individual and organizational conduct; provide for the safe and humane treatment of prisoners and for those awaiting legal adjudication; render informed advice to public officials concerning projected law enforcement requirements and related issues; provide high quality E-911 services for fire, EMS, and law enforcement; ensure the safe operation of the courts and service of legal papers; establish appropriate management systems and practices to enhance organizational effectiveness and agency operations; and create a professional working environment that recognizes the value and dignity of all employees whereby each person can grow professionally and render effective public service.

Sheriff James A. Hale Jr.