WHAT IS A CONTRACT DEPUTY ?

A specific deputy is assigned exclusively to your subdivision that would spend at least 70% of their time dedicated to your subdivision. This is not an extra job but a regular patrol deputy dedicated to working in your subdivision.

HOW DOES A CONTRACT WORK ?

A Homeowner Association enters into a contract with Harris County Commissioner’s Court to provide patrol coverage for a one-year period. Contracts are renewed on June 1st of each year. The Commissioners along with the breakdown percentage set the cost of the contract. Presently, the contracts are working on a 70/30 split. This means the subdivision pays 70% of the cost to provide a deputy in the contract, while the county picks up 30% of the cost. The deputy’s time in/out of the contract would mirror this breakdown. There are no 100% contracts with the Sheriff’s Department because it is not possible to work 100% of the time in the contract without leaving for other routine duties, such as paper work performed at the stations, etc.

HOW MUCH DOES A DEPUTY COST ?

The cost for a contract deputy is around $43,000 per year which represents 70% of the cost. This is the total cost to the subdivision and includes a patrol car, workman’s compensation insurance, uniforms, gasoline, medical insurance, and management services of the Sheriff’s Department. There are no hidden fees to pay or car allowances. 

WHO TO CONTACT ?

For additional information or to implement a contract deputy program, call Capt. Hichcock, District Commander at 281-376-2997 during normal business hours. A new contract or additional deputies may be started at any time. 

HOW MANY HOURS DOES A DEPUTY WORK ?

Each deputy works a forty-hour week with two consecutive days off each week. A deputy also has vacation time, compensation time, school and sick days allotted each year.

WHO DETERMINES THE HOURS A DEPUTY IS ON DUTY ?

Once it has been determined to hire a deputy (s), a meeting between the subdivision Civic Association or subdivision representative (Security Coordinator) and the Sheriff’s Department is held. At this meeting the problems or concerns of the subdivision are discussed. Information from this meeting will help determine the exact schedule for the deputy. The Sheriff’s Department uses Computer Aided Dispatching (CAD) and with information from this system the frequency and type of calls into a particular key map grid can be plotted. The types of crime and traffic flow will also be taken into consideration in the placement of a patrol deputy.

For subdivisions that do not have complete twenty-four hour coverage, the placement of the deputy becomes very crucial to their overall security program. The Sheriff’s Department attempts to meet the needs of a particular subdivision’s security program.

The Sheriff’s Department has a Crime Prevention Organization dedicated to working with homeowners to educate and make all citizens aware of proven crime fighting techniques. These programs are free and can be scheduled at your club for your residents.

WHO CHOOSES THE DEPUTY ?

On new contracts the Sheriff’s Department assigns a deputy. Every two years, a bidding selection takes place and the deputy bid into a contract on a seniority basis.

WHO SPEAKS FOR THE SUBDIVISION ?

Each subdivision selects one person to represent their problems or concerns to the Sheriff’s Department. This person is referred to as the Security Coordinator. 

DUTIES OF A SECURITY COORDINATOR.

A Security Coordinator is a liaison position between the subdivision homeowner’s association and the Sheriff’s Department regarding safety and security concerns. The Security Coordinator is responsible for "passing along" concerns to the deputy or management of the Sheriff’s Department.

A Security Coordinator is not responsible for or in charge of the deputy assigned to a particular contract. The Security Coordinator identifies non-emergency problems or concerns from residents and passes this information along to the deputies. For instance, people running a stop sign at a particular intersection would be a good example of information commonly passed along to deputy.
 

WHAT SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT DISTRICT ARE WE IN

We are in District One of the Sheriff’s Department and our District One office is located at 6831 Cypresswood Drive. The telephone number for the business office is 281-376-2997. This office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. This office is not open to the public twenty-four hours a day and does not receive any type of emergency calls. Refer all emergency calls from residents to the 9-1-1 or 713-221-6000.

CAN TWO OR MORE SUBDIVISIONS SHARE IN A CONTRACT ?

Presently there are several subdivision sharing contract deputies. Each subdivision may go into a contract with Commissioner’s Court or one subdivision may determine to collect money from the other sharing contract. Bear in mind, each subdivision would share time in the contract.

SUPPORT GROUP

The Security Coordinators of District One of the Sheriff’s Department formed a group in 1983 called Northwest Security Coordinators’ Association (NWSCA). They meet four times a year along with publishing a newsletter four times a year to help educate and keep informed of the latest crime fighting information pertinent to subdivisions. Security Coordinators work closely with each other and the Sergeant assigned to the contracts. There is a close knit networking group dedicated to helping keep crime out of our area.

GENERAL COMMENTS.

A contract deputy will not solve all problems; however, the program adds a degree of security to all residents. It is a secure feeling knowing Sheriff’s Deputies are dedicated to your subdivision in the fight against crime. The Quality of Life provided by the homeowner’s group is definitely enhanced.

The Sheriff’s Department has the overall responsibility of investigating crimes in Harris County. They have full time detectives, drug enforcement personnel, undercover deputies, narcotic investigators, patrol deputies, traffic division, homicide division, vacation watch program, crime prevention programs, Storefronts placed selectively placed throughout the county, juvenile crime fighting task force, a Hot-spots Division to name but a few of the trained personnel available to help prevent and investigate crime in our area. You would be working with one of the very best Sheriff’s Department in the nation. Fighting crime is no accident, it is a well-rehearsed and organized effort of the Sheriff’s Department.

Again, this page is designed to provide answers to some common questions. As with any organization, information can change, please contact the Sheriff’s Department for the latest information.