About
Historical Background
The Chouteau County Sheriff's Office has been continuously in operation from the earliest days of settlement of the County and was once responsible for a huge portion of Northeastern Montana. The area encompasses plains, two mountain ranges, three rivers, and several lesser creeks and streams as well as the majority of the Upper Missouri National Monument, just under 4000 square miles in all. Old records of trials, sentences, and executions were maintained in ledgers and have since been turned over to the Montana Agricultural Museum in Fort Benton. Artifacts from those early years can be found in that museum, as is a portion of the old jail cells brought to Fort Benton via steamboat around 1880.
Today's Sheriff's Office
The law enforcement facility was built in 1986. This modern, up to date facility houses the Sheriff's Office, Detention facility and the 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). Chouteau County Sheriff's Office covers the towns of Big Sandy, Carter, Fort Benton, Geraldine, Highwood, Loma, Square Butte and all rural areas within Chouteau County. We are responsible for the investigation and prevention of crime, coroner duties, fire-warden, civil process, bailiff, emergency recovery, detention center operations and emergency services response for a county of over 3900 square miles. Our Office employs twenty one full and part time personnel as sworn peace officers, detention officers and communications officers. We also rely on Chouteau County's generous volunteers to run Search and Rescue
The Chouteau County Sheriff's Office has been continuously in operation from the earliest days of settlement of the County and was once responsible for a huge portion of Northeastern Montana. The area encompasses plains, two mountain ranges, three rivers, and several lesser creeks and streams as well as the majority of the Upper Missouri National Monument, just under 4000 square miles in all. Old records of trials, sentences, and executions were maintained in ledgers and have since been turned over to the Montana Agricultural Museum in Fort Benton. Artifacts from those early years can be found in that museum, as is a portion of the old jail cells brought to Fort Benton via steamboat around 1880.
Today's Sheriff's Office
The law enforcement facility was built in 1986. This modern, up to date facility houses the Sheriff's Office, Detention facility and the 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). Chouteau County Sheriff's Office covers the towns of Big Sandy, Carter, Fort Benton, Geraldine, Highwood, Loma, Square Butte and all rural areas within Chouteau County. We are responsible for the investigation and prevention of crime, coroner duties, fire-warden, civil process, bailiff, emergency recovery, detention center operations and emergency services response for a county of over 3900 square miles. Our Office employs twenty one full and part time personnel as sworn peace officers, detention officers and communications officers. We also rely on Chouteau County's generous volunteers to run Search and Rescue
PURPOSE AND MISSION
The basic purpose of the Chouteau County Sheriff's Office may be classified under six objectives:
-Protection of Life and Property
-Prevention of Crime
-Suppression of Criminal Activities
-Preservation of the Peace
-Apprehension of Criminals
-Regulation of Conduct (non-criminal)
Because of the objectives covering a wide scope, Deputies are seen on occasions and in all places in the County. The conduct and nature of the Deputy, in the performance of his duties, impress the citizens with the worth of the Office as a whole and form the basis of the support and effectiveness of the Office.
To Serve and Protect
The basic purpose of the Chouteau County Sheriff's Office may be classified under six objectives:
-Protection of Life and Property
-Prevention of Crime
-Suppression of Criminal Activities
-Preservation of the Peace
-Apprehension of Criminals
-Regulation of Conduct (non-criminal)
Because of the objectives covering a wide scope, Deputies are seen on occasions and in all places in the County. The conduct and nature of the Deputy, in the performance of his duties, impress the citizens with the worth of the Office as a whole and form the basis of the support and effectiveness of the Office.
To Serve and Protect