Neighborhood Contract Policing
Homeowner Associations, Municipal Utility Districts (MUD), and Independent School Districts (ISD) may contract with the Harris County Sheriff's Office to have a deputy or deputies assigned to a specific area to provide supplemental patrol services to that area.
The cost for the program is split between Harris County and the contract neighborhood, MUD, or ISD, with the contracted entity paying 70% of the cost and Harris County paying the remaining 30%.
About Us
The Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) is the largest sheriff's office in Texas and the third-largest in the United States with nearly 4600 employees.
The HCSO is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
The Contract Program was established by Harris County Commissioners' Court in the 1980s and is overseen by the Neighborhood Policing Division.
HCSO deputies working contracts have full access to the many model programs in the HCSO.
The specific details of the contract are developed collaboratively between the contract deputy or sergeant and the community, making the contract best fit the community's needs. This engagement between law enforcement and the contracting community is what makes the contracting program so effective.
What We Offer
We offer annual contracts between the HCSO and the local entity, where either 70%, 80%, or 100% of the contract deputy or sergeant's time is dedicated to the neighborhood, MUD, or ISD. This percentage depends on local needs - whatever works best for the community.
In addition to a dedicated law enforcement resource, the contract deputy or sergeant can bring to the community a wide array of specialized programs offered by the HCSO - depending on the specific needs of the deputy's contract.
The following are some of the specialized programs of the HCSO that contract deputies have access to.
Homeless Outreach Team
Specialized teams who respond to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Crisis Intervention Response Team
Teams of deputies and crisis clinicians who respond to people in behavioral health crisis.
Project Lifesaver
A program for locating individuals who have wandered from home due to autism, dementia, etc.
Telehealth
Deputies can connect with a crisis clinician via a computer tablet to help when responding to individuals in a behavioral health crisis.
K-9
Highly trained dogs that detect explosives, narcotics, and contraband; locate suspects who are concealed in buildings and other areas; and locate people who are missing.
Swift Water Rescue
Each patrol district has two sergeants and six deputies certified in swift water training and high water vehicle operations.
In addition to these neighborhood-support programs, contract deputies can call upon the crisis-focused support teams, including:
SWAT
Special Weapons and Tactics unit that responds to barricaded/hostage situations, suicide intervention, and serves high risk warrants.
Boarding Home Detail
Specialized deputies monitoring and investigating boarding homes.
Nuisance and Graffiti Abatement
Removing unwanted graffiti and abandoned and junked vehicles and structures.
Project Guardian
A program for responding to individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
CPOP
Community Problem-Oriented Policing unit that works closely with citizens to identify and address issues of concern to a particular community.
Air Support
A plane and helicopters to conduct surveillance and to assist patrol with tracking and apprehending fleeing suspects and locating people who are missing.
Investigations
Highly trained investigators who investigate several crimes including homicides, domestic violence, and robberies.
Hostage Negotiation Team
Specialized highly trained team that communicates with suspects during hostage situations, barricaded suspects, and sniper incidents.
Benefits
- High visibility
- Rapid response
- Highly trained and skilled deputies
- Deputies become familiar with residents
- Deputies become familiar with the neighborhood
- Deputies work with residents to address issues of concern
- Vacation and special watches on homes and businesses
- Access to all of the programs of the Harris County Sheriff's Office
FAQs
What is the cost for a deputy?
In 2021, the cost of a contract deputy ranges between $75,000 and $106,000 depending on whether he/she is contracted for 70%, 80%, or 100% of his/her time.
For contract sergeants, this cost range is between $85,000 and $120,000.
How many deputies should my subdivision have?
The ideal ratio is one deputy per 1000 people.
It would take five deputies for 24/7 coverage.
How do you cover for a deputy who is sick, on vacation, has court duty, etc?
We cover the contract starting on the deputy's 10th day out. This includes regular days off.
Are contract deputies part of the 911 system?
Absolutely. In the event a 911 call comes in the call would be routed through emergency communications and dispatched directly to the on-duty contract deputy. In the event the contract deputy is off the call would automatically roll to the district and beat where the contract is located.
Number of Contracts
Deputies Assigned to Contracts
Sergeants Assigned to Contracts
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I feel much safer having Harris County Sheriff's Office contract deputies working in my neighborhood. They are very quick to respond, are very visible, and have built a relationship with the residents of our community.
Professional Service
The HCSO is one of the most professional law enforcement agencies in the nation and HCSO deputies are among the highest trained.
Contract deputies work under the supervision of district patrol sergeants.
The contract program is managed by two full-time contract administrative sergeants.
Patrolcontracts@sheriff.hctx.net
Call
(346) - 286-3001
Contact Us
Our Management
David Angstadt
Sergeant
Walter Stensland
Sergeant
