Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) have long helped law enforcement in solving crimes. ALPRs capture computer-readable images of license plates, allowing law enforcement agencies to compare plate numbers against those of stolen cars or cars driven by people suspected of being involved in criminal activities.

The information by ALPR cameras can help determine whether a vehicle was at the scene of a crime and to discover vehicles that may be associated with each other. Law enforcement agencies can choose to share their information with other agencies. The cameras can also integrate information from national or state crime databases to provide real-time alerts when a vehicle associated with a known suspect or a stolen vehicle passes the camera.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, when employed ethically and objectively, ALPRs are an effective force-multiplying tool for law enforcement. A 2011 study by the Police Executive Research Forum concluded that ALPRs used by Mesa, Ariz., Police resulted in “nearly 3 times as many ‘hits’ for stolen vehicles, and twice as many vehicle recoveries.”

Flock Safety communities have reported overall crime reductions of over 70 percent after a period of time utilizing the ALPR system. In some areas, that included an over 60 percent reduction in non-residential burglaries, 80 percent reduction in residential burglary, and an over 40 percent reduction in robberies.

What is Flock Safety?
Flock Safety is a public safety operating system that helps communities and law enforcement work together to eliminate crime, protect privacy, and mitigate bias. We build devices that capture objective evidence and use machine learning to detect and deliver unbiased investigative leads to law enforcement. Flock Safety communities have reported crime reductions of up to 70 percent.

Today, there are over 1,500 Flock Safety communities; we partner with 1200+ law enforcement agencies.  The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Kearney Police Department under their MOU with the FLOCK Safety System.

Kearney Police Department Flock Transparency Portal

Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR #1346)

Nebraska Revised Statutes – Automatic License Plate Reader Privacy Act 60-3201 to 60-3209

The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office is accepting applications for a full-time Communications Officer. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age; have a valid Nebraska driver’s license; a high school diploma or GED; no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions; be able to read, write and understand the English language; and be able to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays. All applicants will be subject to a thorough background check. Benefits include full time pay, individual health insurance, access to vision, dental, life and disability insurance, subsidized family health insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, employer matched retirement, and furnished uniforms. Hourly pay starting at $21.65. Position will remain open until filled. 

Full Details

Fillable Application

EOE/AA/Veterans preference

Buffalo County Sheriff's Office 
2025 Avenue A 
P.O. Box 2228 
Kearney, NE 68848 

308-233-5274 
308-233-5246 (fax) 
jsamuelson@kearneygov.org 

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for Deputy Sheriff.  

Full Details and How to Apply.

In order to efficiently respond to requests and manage the employment of off-duty police officers, The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Off Duty Management to provide services related to hiring off-duty officers effective 9/27/2021.

You may request to hire off-duty police officers through the Off Duty Management web-based service, OfficerTRAK®, or calling the toll-free number below.

Off Duty Management provides the following to the vendor:

• Online access to information through the OfficerTRAK® software including:
• Job-status
• Officer attendance
• Field notes and media files
• Post orders and instructions
• Past and future shift information
• Full liability coverage for the vendor, the agency, and the officer
• 24/7 vendor service
• Dedicated point of contact for scheduling and invoicing
• Officer payroll

• Off-duty work which reflects unfavorably on the Office, or creates an actual or apparent conflict of interest.

RATES:

*Holiday Rates: Rate will apply to the following days: New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.

**Emergency Rates:  If request is received less than 72 hours prior to assignment the emergency pay rate goes into effect.

 Cancellation policy:

Once an assignment has been approved and scheduled; vendors canceling or reducing assignments are required to pay the full ODM administrative fees for the first 24 hours of the original assignment. Vendors canceling or reducing assignments within 48 hours of the start of the assignment are required to pay the greater of officer hours worked or the agency minimum hours plus ODM administrative fees for the first 24 hours of the original assignment.

 YOU CAN REQUEST SERVICE BY VISITING THE OFFICERTRAK® WEBSITE

OR CALL OFF DUTY MANAGEMENT 24/7 TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-636-8300

The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office is accepting applications for a full-time Corrections Officer. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age; have a valid Nebraska driver’s license; a high school diploma or GED; no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions; be able to read, write and understand the English language; and be able to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays. All applicants will be subject to a thorough background check. Benefits include full time pay, individual health insurance, access to vision, dental, life and disability insurance, subsidized family health insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, employer matched-retirement, and furnished uniforms. Hourly pay starting at $22.83. Position will remain open until filled. 

Full Job Description

BCSO Application

Please send applications to: 

Buffalo County Sheriff's Office 
2025 Avenue A 
P.O. Box 2228 
Kearney, NE 68848 

308-233-5274 
jsamuelson@kearneygov.org 

• Know what has been filed against you;
• An attorney (a Public Defender may be provided at no cost);
• Face and cross-examine witnesses;
• Present evidence in your own defense;
• Testify if you wish; however, you do not have to testify;
• Be advised by the Judge as to what the Court can do with you; and
• Appeal the Court’s decision to the Nebraska Court of Appeals or Nebraska Supreme Court.

• Dress neatly and cleanly, as you would for an important meeting.
• Be 15 minutes early, so you are ready to attend the hearing on time.
• Speak loudly and clearly.
• Be honest and make eye contact when talking.
• Respond to Judge’s questions by saying, “Yes, Your Honor,” or “No, Your Honor.”

• Curse, swear or lie;
• Get angry or roll your eyes;
• Walk out of the courtroom (you could be held in contempt;
• Speak or act rudely;
• Take a cell phone into the courtroom;
• Slouch or chew gum; or
• Wear sagging pants, offensive T-shirts or gang-related items.

• ...fail to follow court orders (any law violation, including Court orders to obey your parents’ rules and curfew, and/or attend school).
• ...are a runaway youth (a history of running from home or if you run from your Court-ordered placement, such as foster or group home).
• …are a danger to yourself or others (violent, aggressive, gang-related behavior or use of alcohol or drugs).
• ...are being discharged unsatisfactorily from a placement facility. If you are not following rules of your Court-ordered placement and are discharged, you may be detained.
• ...an OJS evaluation is ordered to be done residentially.

• To stop the violence.
• To protect the victim from additional acts of violence committed by the Defendant.
• To protect the children or other family members from exposure to, or possible injury from, domestic violence.
• To provide restitution to the victims.
• To hold the offender accountable for their violent conduct.

• Locate non-custodial parents
• Establish paternity
• Establish and enforce medical support
• Enforce and collect support payments

• Nebraska Department of Administrative Services
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• Nebraska Department of Revenue
• District and County Courts
• Nebraska Department of Labor
• Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
• Federal Parent Locator Service
• Sheriffs
• Child Support agencies in all states
• Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
• Credit Reporting Agencies
• Nebraska Payment Center

• All payments must be made to:
  Nebraska Child Support Payment Center
  P.O. Box 82600
  Lincoln, NE 68501-2600
• If you pay the other party directly, you may not receive credit for the payment.
• Child support payments are due on the first of each month and are delinquent the next day. Interest is charged on the delinquent amount after 30 days.
• Income withholding will be implemented in all cases involving child support whether there is delinquency or not (including unemployment withholding).
• You MUST pay child support regardless of custody or visitation issues.
• Health insurance MUST be provided for the child(ren) if ordered by the Court.
• If you have more than one order or judgment, your payments will be allocated between them. You cannot select which obligation to pay.
• Not paying child support can result in:
  • State and Federal Income Tax Intercepts
  • Drivers License Suspension
  • Suspend Professional Licenses
  • Suspend Eligibility For Hunting and Fishing Licenses
  • A Report to Credit Agencies
  • Denial of Your Passport
  • Lottery Prize Intercept
  • Liens/Seizure of Property
  • Seizure of Bank Accounts
  • Criminal Charges
  • Jail

• You can apply for child support services by contacting your local Health and Human Services office or County Attorney.
• If you or your child(ren) are receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) payments, the child support will be assigned to the State of Nebraska.
• DO NOT accept child support payments directly from the non-custodial parent. All payments must be made through the Nebraska Child Support Payment Center in order to be properly credited.
• If the non-custodial parent has more than one order or judgment, all payments received will be allocated proportionately between them.
• Your court order may contain language prohibiting you from removing the child(ren) from the State without the Court’s consent. It is your responsibility to know what the Court’s order says and to comply with it. Failing to do so may result in the suspension or termination of child support.
• Visitation cannot be withheld for non-payment of child support. Withholding visitation can:
  • Affect your child’s well-being
  • Result in a finding of contempt of court
  • Put you in jail

• Child support is due through the month that the child turns 19.
• Employers who fail to comply with incoming withholding notices or who punish or dismiss employees as a result of income withholding are subject to legal action.
• The County Attorney (or authorized attorney) represents the State and the best interests of the child.  No client/attorney relationship exists.
• Either party in an action for child support can request that the case be reviewed for possible modification every three years by contacting Health and Human Services, Child Support Enforcement, Review and Modification Unit at (800) 831-4573.
• Establishing paternity enables your child(ren) to have access to important family medical history as well and financial and emotional support.

• To work with the community and build a relationship of trust and understanding in order to work proactively to prevent crime.
• To use research and investigative techniques to ensure quality criminal prosecutions for the citizens of Buffalo County.
• To improve our understanding of the law and the community through seminars, training, and continuing education programs.
• To use technologically-advanced trial practices.
• To apply the law in an unbiased and consistent manner to ensure justice, equality, and safety for the community.

• Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office at (308) 236-8555
• Kearney Police Department at (308) 237-2104
• Ravenna Police Department at (308) 452-4245
• Shelton Police Department at (308) 647-5110
• Nebraska State Patrol at (308) 865-6000

• City of Kearney
  • Emergency Management
  • Police Department
  • Kearney Volunteer Fire Department


• Buffalo County
  
  • Emergency Manager
  • Sheriff's Office


• Tox Town - An interactive guide to commonly encountered toxic substances
  
  
• Emergency Response Guide 
  
  
  
• EMPG Training Video
  • MPG format - 75.5 MB
  • WMV format - 153 MB

The Emergency Manager is an appointed position responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of an emergency management system in Buffalo County to save lives and protect property. Such emergency management system shall include disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery capabilities. The incumbent is charged with making certain that the components of the emergency management system know the threats to the jurisdiction, planning for emergencies, being able to function effectively in an emergency, and conducting recovery operations following a disaster.

The position requires direct responsibility for the organization, administration, and operation of the Buffalo County Emergency Management System, subject to the direction and control of the Buffalo County Board of Commissioners. The position serves as the principal advisor to the Buffalo County Board of Commissioners in disaster/emergency matters. Supervision of day-to-day activities shall be directed by the Buffalo County Sheriff and Kearney Chief of Police.

The incumbent, in discharging duties, must work with elected and appointed officials of the local governments, of the state and of the Federal government, and private sector interests.

The incumbent is given broad and extensive authority to determine program priorities, requirements and procedures so as to implement and support the local, state and national programs and objectives. Completed work is reviewed in terms of net results and the achievement of broad objectives and conformance with general policies. Job effectiveness can be determined by the ability of the Buffalo County Emergency Manager to take the lead in developing local capabilities to mitigate disasters/emergencies and conduct coordinated operations in disasters/emergencies, making maximum use of all public and private resources available.

• Democratic
• Libertarian
• Republican
• Legal Marijuana NOW
• Non-Partisan (not politically affiliated)

There are approximately 962 square miles in Buffalo County.  Within this area there are 1500 miles of road: 112.3 miles are County oil or concrete roads.  There are 342 bridges over 20 feet in the County.  There are also 242 bridges that are 20 feet and under which are not considered bridges but are classified as culverts because of the constricted water flow.

There are 41 full time employees and during the summer months we employ three to four more people.  In addition to the Highway Superintendent, there are: one assistant Highway Superintendent, two clerical, two foremen, 19 maintainer operators, five heavy equipment operators, one sign man, one welder, two mechanics, one mechanic assistant and eight truck driver/operators.

We also have a large inventory of machines and equipment valued at $9,143,598.00.  This includes 21 maintainers, one crane, three backhoes, four loaders, 43 pickups and trucks and a considerable number of other pieces of equipment. 

We have an excellent communication system which includes 2-way radios which are used extensively.  They save many miles of driving and enable people to communicate from one corner of the county to the other.  They have saved many maintainer men from having to walk for help after having a flat tire, being stuck in a snowstorm or any other emergency type situation.  Our foremen also have cellular phones.

We have 2-way radios in all the maintainers, office, loaders and in a majority of our other equipment.  The radios also give us communication with the Sheriff’s Department an the County Surveyor.  The telephone system gives us easier communication with the Sheriff’s Department, Surveyor, other County Courthouse offices and also the City of Kearney offices by dialing just four digits.

Buffalo County is divided into 26 Townships.  We have divided the townships into Zones 1 through 26.  We bid gravel once a year.  The bid period is from April 1 of one year to March 31 of the following year.

Buffalo County went to the GEO Base Addressing System and signs were installed in 1997.  This system makes finding a resident faster in an emergency type situation.

Department Structure: The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office is organized into two divisions, Operations and Support Services, under the direction of the Sheriff who is elected for a four (4) year term. The Operations Division consists of Civil Process, Warrant Section, Investigative Section, and Patrol Section and is currently managed by a Captain. The Support Services Section consists of the Sheriff's

Staff Section, Community Services Section, Training Section, Communications Section, and Detention Center Section and is currently managed by the Chief Deputy.

Social Media:
                            

LOCATION: The department offices are located at 2025 Avenue A in Kearney, Buffalo County, Nebraska.

Regular business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.

A unique joint venture with the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office and the Kearney Police Department was formed in July 1993 when both agencies co-located to a remodeled building in downtown Kearney. By sharing resources, both agencies save taxpayers' money as well as establishing a good working relationship between the agencies and their employees.

The Sheriff's office oversees the dispatch duties and answers 911 calls for officers of both agencies.

The Police Department oversees the records and data processing functions for both agencies.

The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office responds to calls that occur in the county (outside of Kearney city limits). The Kearney Police Department responds to calls that occur within the city limits.

Both agencies assist each other as needed as well as working with law enforcement officers from other local jurisdictions in Buffalo County, Public Safety at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and the Nebraska State Patrol. 

Civilian fingerprinting is available by Buffalo County Sheriff's Office.  BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

1) Call 308-236-1804 to schedule an appointment, Monday - Friday, 8:30-11:00 am and 1:00 - 4:00 pm. 
2) Fee is $20. 
3) Do not come if experiencing any symptoms that include. 
     a)  fever of above 100 F
     b) shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

For Emergencies: Dial 911 

 

2022 PREA Audit

2023 PREA Annual Report