BE IN THE KNOW THROUGH THE APPLING SO
SHERIFF MARK MELTON
    Every day is a new and exciting adventure at the Appling County Sheriff’s Office.  People from our community and various locations throughout the state, come to the Sheriff’s Office or call for a variety of reasons, from tragedy to triumph.  Our administrative staff is on hand every day and ready to greet people to offer the assistance they need to resolve their issues. The staff is knowledgeable and prepared to help or they can direct our “customers” to the appropriate person or section.  They can scan fingerprints, provide open records, advise on sex offender monitoring, provide literature for license exams, resolve bonds and collect fine payments. In addition, our staff can release evidence to victims, notify individuals where their car was towed and inform individuals of court dates and locations.  They are also instrumental in keeping our staff informed of happenings within the ACSO as well as handling human resource issues such as payroll, accounts receivable and payable. They ensure that necessary supplies are on hand and accessible so that our operations run like a well-oiled machine.
   Another busy component of the Sheriff’s Office is the Patrol Division.  Monthly work and daily schedules are prepared based on activities that come from various sources.  These run the gamut from funeral escorts, K-9 searches, work details, road construction delays or detours, parades, public gatherings, festivals, athletic events, school safety drills, court proceedings, staff training and much more.  The Patrol is responsible for security at the Courthouse and Annex with extra emphasis during court sessions, commissioner’s meetings or other public business. The day to day work of the Patrol consists of road safety concerns, such as working speed zones, responding to crashes, directing traffic during congested periods, residence and business safety checks as well as concentrated patrols.  Our Patrol Deputies are always preparing for emergencies and disasters that may occur and never know what precipitates their next call for assistance. They are also required to serve all civil processes and criminal warrants that arise in the county. Each deputy is reminded daily that they are responsible for all duties necessary to successfully complete their missions. They never know what those are until the very moment they are needed.  
   The Criminal Investigative Division (CID) of the Sheriff’s Office is another critical element of law enforcement.  They are responsible for investigating all major incidents in the County which include witness interviews and suspect interrogations.  They determine and secure crime scenes, photograph, document, log, and store evidence of every variety. When necessary, Investigators take items to the appropriate crime labs for forensic evaluations.  They are often on undercover stakeouts or conducting surveillance for criminal activity, always searching for proof of the crime. The investigators are constantly gathering intelligence related to “Wanted Persons” and criminal cases that have yet to be arrested or solved.  Once probable cause is determined to make an arrest, the CID personnel present major case findings to both Magistrate and Superior Court Judges to secure criminal warrants. The Investigators are responsible for presenting detailed facts to Grand Juries regarding sophisticated criminal networks and processes.  The Investigative Division requires dedicated, determine and well-trained individuals to be successful.
    This summarizes a “normal” day at the Appling County Sheriff’s Office; however, there are other components which include the Appling County Detention Center and the Appling County 911 Center.  That is for another day. I want you to know that the Appling County Sheriff’s Office is here to serve all the citizens of Appling County. We are thankful that you entrust us daily to do our jobs.