en-USes-MX

Divisions banner

 
​Administrative Services consists of the following departments:
  • Data Entry
  • Records and Open Records
  • ​Human Resources
  • Victims Assistance
  • Quartermaster
  • Accreditation units
  • Communications Liaison
  • Grants
  • Warrants
  • Terminal Agency Coordinator
  • Alarms

This unit is also responsible for -

  1. Criminal Justice Reporting to the Texas Department of Public Safety
  2. IBR reporting to the Texas Department of Public Safety
  3. Performing records searches for other law enforcement agencies
  4. Conducting reference checks for purposes of employment and/or military inquiries, or as requested by other law enforcement agencies
  5. Providing character letters for hunters and for persons attempting to adopt a child
  6. Fingerprinting the public for reasons of employment, adoption, out-of-state handgun licenses, Visa's, liquor licenses, Lottery Commission, etc. (By appointment only)
    Due to construction, public fingerprint services will be suspended at the Williamson County Sheriff's Office until further notice.  Please feel free to contact our office at 512-943-1300 if you have any questions. 

Hours 8:30 - 11:00 am & 2:30 - 4:00 pm, M-F.
FBI or DPS cards are available at request. (You need to know which card you need.)
Cards are $5.00 each.
We accept exact cash, checks or credit cards (fee of approximately $0.11 per card)

Open Records Request Form

The Animal Control Unit is comprised of civilian employed officers who are responsible for the enforcement of local regulations and state law in Williamson County. The Animal Control Unit’s primary duty is to protect the health and safety of the community by investigating reports of exposure to high-risk rabies suspects (bats, foxes, skunks, raccoons, and coyotes) as well as situations where a dog or cat has bitten or scratched a human. Other responsibilities of Animal Control include responding to citizen complaints, conducting investigations, gathering information, educating the public, and, if needed, issuing citations for violations of local ordinances and State law. They investigate cases of abuse, cruelty, and/or neglect for non-livestock animals. Animals impounded by Animal Control are transported to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter and held until the owner can reclaim their pet or until the pet can be put up for adoption. Williamson County Animal Control can be reached at 512-864-8282, option 1 twice. You can read the ordinance here.

Criminal Investigations Division

Under the direction of one commander, two lieutenants, five sergeants and one civilian supervisor, the Criminal Investigation Division is divided into the following sections:

  1. Crimes Against Persons Unit - Four detectives investigate all homicides, robberies, sexual assaults, aggravated assaults, harassments, simple assaults, and all other crimes against persons.
  2. Special Victims Unit – Five detectives investigate all crimes related to child and elder abuse / deaths.
  3. General Crimes Unit – Five detectives investigate crimes associated with criminal mischief, stolen property, burglaries, criminal trespass, and auto thefts.  
  4. Special Crimes Unit - Four detectives are assigned to investigate Financial Crimes, money laundering, identity theft, embezzlements, white collar crimes prostitution, human trafficking, illegal gambling, and conduct covert surveillance operations. two additional detectives are assigned to various Federal Task Forces.
  5. Crime Scene Unit – Three dedicated Crime Scene Technicians respond to death investigations, burglaries, and other types of crime scenes to process the scene for forensics and evidence collection.  
  6. Crime Analysis Unit - Three analyst provide intelligence gathering to support all investigations.  

Phone number: 512-943-1300 or 512-943-1313

 

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) consists of highly trained Sheriff’s Office law enforcement officers that provide crisis intervention assistance to the citizens of Williamson County.

The Crisis Intervention Team offers assistance to those suffering from emotional and psychological issues and assists them in obtaining the appropriate social service available to their specific need. The Crisis Intervention Team is also tasked with performing follow-up checks when deemed necessary.

The Crisis Intervention Team is structured to assist citizens by providing professional and immediate assistance in obtaining proper care and assistance.  Each member of the crisis team is licensed by the State of Texas with specific training in mental health, crisis intervention, first aid, CPR and are licensed Peace Officers with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. 

This service is offered to the citizens of Williamson County 24 hours a day.

To Reach a Crisis Intervention Team Member

  • For Emergencies - Call 911 for assistance
  • For Non-Emergencies After Hours -  512-864-8282 #1 #1
  • For Non-Emergencies during regular business hours – 512-943-1662

Residential/Business Alarm Permits

508 S. Rock St.,  Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 943-1340  FAX (512) 943-1444
Angelica Lopez
FARU Administrator


ABOUT THE LAW REQUIRING AN ALARM PERMIT:

The law was adopted by the County Commissioners in September, 1991.  It is a part of the effort to educate the public about the responsible use of a security system and to reduce the number of false alarms occurring in the County. Currently, false alarms average 300 per month county wide.

The False Alarm Reduction Unit (FARU) was created to administer the County’s security system law.  The FARU’s main function is to reduce the number of false alarms to which officers, fire, and emergency medical respond each year.  The FARU registers alarm users, bills for excessive false alarms, and handles informal appeal hearings regarding the revocation of alarm permits.

When a security system is properly installed and maintained, and the users are properly trained, it can give peace of mind to the users.  When any one of these elements is missing, the results are quite different.  These calls result in many unnecessary calls for service and take officers from pro-active police work.  They become very expensive for the Sheriffs Office and eventually add extra cost to the user of an alarm system through fines for excessive false alarms.  

With the alarm companies, the user of the alarm system, and the Alarm Unit working together, we can significantly reduce the number of false alarms.  We will all be winners.

Failure to comply with the alarm law is a Class C Misdemeanor offense and can result in a fine of not less than $75.00 and not more than $500.00 for each and every violation\activation of a security system without an alarm permit.

Georgetown PD, Alarm Unit
Call: 512-930-3453
Contact: Betty Jo Patterson

Hutto PD, Alarm Unit
Call: 512-759-5978
Contact: Edna Vela or David Stripling

Leander PD, Alarm Unit
Please click here for more information


WHO NEEDS AN ALARM PERMIT?

Any home or business located in Williamson County, and outside the city limits of any incorporated city, is required to purchase an alarm permit (register) each system you own and operate.  This is required regardless of whether or not your security system is monitored.  Download an application  You can email your completed application to Angelica Lopez or fax it to 512-943-1444.

Currently, if you live within the incorporated city limits of the city of Hutto or the city of Leander, you will need to purchase an alarm permit with that city’s alarm unit of their police department.
 

ALARM OPERATION TIPS
If you accidentally activate your alarm

Try to contact the alarm company immediately, if they do not contact you.  If you cannot recite the property’s password or code over the phone to the alarm operator, the police will be dispatched!  It is recommended that you wait for the officers’ arrival in front of the property in plain view.  Remember that the responding officers probably do not know who you are, so be prepared to offer some form of identification to establish your legal presence on the property in question.

In the case of accidental activation of a robbery or takeover (ambush) alarm, be aware that the responding officers must assume the worst…And the worst for them is the presence of armed suspects on the property.  The alarm company will not call you to verify this type of alarm.  You may receive a telephone call from the sheriffs office dispatch.  It is essential that you do exactly as you are told.

Responding to alarm calls is serious business for officers.  Every year, nationwide, officers are killed while responding to these types of calls.  Until proven otherwise, we must assume that we are dealing with a crime in progress.  Keep this in mind when you accidentally activate your alarm.


“CONSUMER GUIDE TO PURCHASING AN ALARM SYSTEM”

Check it out if you have not already purchased a system.

This is a useful publication from False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA).  The article is geared to assist anyone thinking about purchasing an alarm system.  It points out things to consider in your decision.  There are questions to ask each company you interview, and charts to record the answers for future reference and comparison.

All alarm companies are not created equal.  You as the consumer, must do your homework and ask the questions before the contract is signed, just as you would when making any large investment purchase.

PROPERLY INSTALLED, MAINTAINED, AND OPERATED ALARM SYSTEMS DO NOT GENERATE FALSE ALARMS.

Consider the fact, when you purchase an alarm system, you also assume a large number of responsibilities and duties.  The use of an alarm system involves a lot of other people, outside your home.

Many useful documents can be accessed through the False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA) website.  Click on the Consumer Tips button.  

Currently, there are seven (7) Consumer Guides and fourteen (14) Consumer Bulletin, all recently updated with the most current information.


HOME SECURITY GUIDES

The FARA site also has an excellent Home Security Guide.  This comprehensive guide will help you analyze your home, yard, and lifestyle and offer you tips on how to best protect your home and your loved ones.

Another good site for security information is www.houseandhome.msn.com

Type the words: “home security” in the search area.  Then choose from a long list of useful articles, one of which is the “Home & Safety Center”.  Under this section is a “Home Security Guide” and numerous other safety articles for your home and lifestyle


HOME COMPUTER SECURITY

A good site for home computer security is https://www.us-cert.gov/Home-Network-Security, then click on Home Security Security and follow the links.


FALSE ALARM PREVENTION TIPS

The NBFFA (National Burglary & Fire Alarms Association) website, has a False Alarm Prevention Guide that can be useful to persons who may be having problems with false alarms. 

How do I get an application/permit?

Download a copy of the application for permit. Complete it fully, and return it with the required fee to the address on the bottom of the form.  You may also call the Alarm Unit at (512)-943-1340 and an application can be emailed, faxed or mailed via USPS, to you.  You may stop by the Sheriffs Office and pick up an application.  Your alarm permit will be returned to you in the mail.  You do not have to post it in a front window, just know where it is in the event you must show proof of permit.

How much does a permit cost?

Permits cost $25.00 for two years and is renewed every other year.  A renewal notice is mailed 30 days prior to the permit expiring.

How many false alarms are allowed before I am fined and how much is the fine?

Five free false alarms are allowed in a one-year period.  The one-year period begins at the time you have your first false alarm.  All others are billed at the rate of $75.00 each, until the one-year period ends.  You then begin a second period with another five free false alarms, and the process continues.  Your alarm permit can be revoked for non-payment of assessed fines or have more than nine fake alarms in a one year period.

If I move or sell my house or business, what do I do?

Contact the Alarm Unit of the Sheriffs Office at (512) 943-1340 and tell the administrator the date you will vacate the premises, your new address, and provide the name of the new owner.  Be certain you call your alarm company and have the system cut off and removed from your name.

Can I leave my alarm permit for the new owner\occupant?

No. The permit is not transferable to another person or address.  It must be cancelled and the new owner\occupant must purchase a permit in their name.

What do I do when I go on vacation, or I am going to be away from home for an extended period of time?

First, call your alarm company and tell them the dates you will be gone and the name of the person you are leaving in charge of your home.  Provide them with all the telephone numbers where that person can be reached.  Be sure the person is fully trained on the use of your system and knows the codes to cut off and reset your alarm system.

How long can an alarm system sound before I am fined?

Every alarm system must have a 30-minute shut-off feature.

What is the procedure for apartment complexes with security systems pre-wired in each unit?

First, the lease manager or owner of the apartments must purchase a permit for the lease office and common areas.  Each occupant who desires to use the security system in their individually leased unit must first purchase a security (alarm) permit.  You are subject to all the same rules and responsibilities as a homeowner.

What is a false alarm?

According to the Williamson County Resolution, a false alarm is any officer response call to your home and the officer finds no evidence or situation requiring law enforcement, fire, or medical emergency response personnel. There is no evidence of an attempted crime, crime in progress, or crime that has just occurred.  There is no fire.  No one needs medical attention.  It does not matter what caused the signal or who caused the alarm to occur.

A false alarm can be caused by numerous things. Examples are:

  • Visitors, real estate agents, contractors, cleaning crews, or simple error
  • Doors and windows left ajar or unlocked
  • Animals inside the premises and the sensors are too low or too sensitive
  • Mail dropped through a mail-drop slot
  • Power outages coupled with improper battery back-up system
  • Telephone line problems
  • Overly-sensitive system that activates when persons rattle a door or window
  • Drapes or balloons blowing in the breeze or air conditioner vent
  • Errors by alarm monitoring service
 TitleOwnerCategoryModified DateSize 
Credit/Debit Card Abuse Form  1/29/202174.02 KBDownload
Forged Check Form  1/29/2021136.03 KBDownload
Identity Theft Package  1/29/202151.78 KBDownload

What is the Office of Internal Affairs?

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office maintains a separate unit for receiving and investigating complaints from citizens against Sheriff's Deputies, Corrections Personnel, and Civilian Employees. The Office of Internal Affairs is a separate unit, which reports directly to the Sheriff and his Executive Staff of Bureau Chiefs. Internal Affairs is a fact-finding entity, and its purpose is three-fold:

1. Protecting the Public: The public has the right to receive fair, efficient, and impartial Law Enforcement. Any misconduct by Sheriff’s Office personnel must first be detected, then thoroughly investigated and finally, properly adjudicated to assure the maintenance of these qualities.

2. Protecting of the Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office is often evaluated and judged by the conduct of its employees. It is imperative the whole organization is not criticized because of the misconduct of a few. An informed public must have confidence that the Sheriff's Office honestly and fairly investigates and adjudicates all allegations of misconduct against its employees.

3. Protecting the Employee: Employees must be protected against false or misinformed allegations of misconduct. This can only be accomplished through a consistently thorough investigative process. Sworn statements submitted to the Internal Affairs Section are notarized and treated in the same manner as testimony in a court of law. Therefore, Aggravated Perjury statutes apply. However, the Internal Affairs Section will investigate any complaint regardless of how it is received.

How do I contact the Office of Internal Affairs?

The Office of Internal Affairs is in the Headquarters Building of the Sheriff's Office located at 508 S. Rock St., Georgetown, TX 78626. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Phone messages can be left any time after hours and will be returned, when employees return to work at (512) 943-1360, or 512-943-1398.

Contact may also be made by filling out a Quality Assurance Forms, or you can obtain the form from a uniformed deputy, supervisor, or Administrative Assistant.

How do I commend an employee?

Everyone likes a pat on the back when they do a good job. Williamson County Sheriff's Office employees are no different. Each year, the Sheriff's Office receives numerous employee commendations from the public, but for each one we receive, there are many more commendable acts that go unrecognized.


When you receive service from the Sheriff's Office you feel is worthy of commendation, we would like to hear about it. Call the employee's supervisor [if you know it] or the Office of Internal Affairs (512) 943-1360, (512) 943-1398. Or simply fill out the Commendation Form found on this site and mail it in or drop it off to any Sheriff's Office employee. You may also complete the form, save it, and email it to wilco.sheriff@wilco.org. 

 Please include the information you can remember such as the employee's name, the address, date, or any other circumstances about the incident. The employee will be notified of your commendation as will his/her supervisor. A copy of your commendation will also be placed in the employee’s file.

Please feel free to contact the Office of Internal Affairs or a Patrol Supervisor if you should have a specific question or concern.

What happens to my complaint after it is received?

All complaints received by the Sheriff's Office are routed by the severity of the complaint. The most serious types of complaints are investigated by Internal Affairs, and involve allegations such as excessive force, any discharge of firearms, or serious rules violations such as insubordination. Complaints comparatively less serious in nature, such as rude behavior or improper procedure, are forwarded to the individual officer's division for investigation. In every case, the person making the complaint will be notified of the final disposition either by telephone, email or U.S. Mail.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit consists of one Sergeant, six handlers, and six canines. The dogs are Belgian Malinois or shepherd breeds and each dog is chosen for their high drive and constant willingness to work. The dogs are trained and certified in criminal apprehension, handler protection, tracking, and narcotics detection. They assist patrol in preventing crime, building searches, locating missing endangered persons, suspect apprehension, and locating evidence of crimes. Each canine team receives continued rigorous training to help them maintain their certification and the high level of skill expected of them.

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office has two deputies specifically assigned to livestock issues around the county.

Deputy Joe Worsham
or
Deputy Blake Hartt

Livestock

The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the loose livestock in the County. These deputies respond to loose livestock complaints. They work to get the animal off the roadway and secured behind fences. Once that is done they investigate where the animal came from so they can return the animal to the proper owner and if need be issue citations. Once in a while they find loose livestock that nobody will claim. In these cases they house them and prepare them for auction. They are trained in animal cruelty investigation involving both domesticated and livestock animals. Cattle theft is still a modern day problem in Texas. These deputies investigate and prepare for prosecution cases related to cattle theft.


The Sheriff's Office has impounded:

Two Donkeys

Impound Location: Area of CR 2843 in Florence, TX
Will be sold at public auction on 3/3/23
Contact: Deputy B Hartt

Two Cattle:
One Charolais Bull: Color-Yellow--Approximately 1000 Lbs.
One Longhorn Cow with Calf: Brown/Tan Color-Calf (3 weeks old tan color)
Impound Location: 500 Blk CR 467, Elgin
Date of Impound Sale: 03/31/2023
Contact: Deputy Worsham (Cell 512-948-2804)

Black Angus Heifer:
Impounded Date: 03/09/2023
Area of Impound: CR 261, FM 3405 & Camp Springs Ln area, Georgetown
Contact: Deputy Worsham (Cell 512-948-2804)

3 cows impounded
Impound Date: 4/4/23
Area of Impound: 1000 CR 138 in Hutto, Texas.
Will be sold at public auction on April 21st, 2023.
If you are the owner please contact Deputy B. Hartt with the Livestock Unit.


2 Jersey Type (1 Brown & White & 1 Black & White)|
1 Solid Black

Impound Location:3300 CR 233, Florence
Impound Date 06/05/2023
Contact: Deputy Worsham (Cell 512-948-2804)

7 head of cattle
Date of Impound: 06/06/2023
Location of Impound: 2700 Blk of CR 466, Elgin Zip Code
Sale Date if not claimed: 06/30/2023
Contact: Deputy Worsham (Cell 512-948-2804)

If you own Livestock, horses, goats, or sheep, please fill out this card
 

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office is proud of its “tough on crime” reputation and the dedication of the citizens who support this mission. We are committed to providing the community a safe environment through aggressive narcotics investigations and subsequent prosecution of offenders.

The Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit is responsible for the investigation and suppression of narcotics activities that either occurs within Williamson County or whose illegal activities adversely affect the citizens of Williamson County.

Investigations performed by the Narcotics unit require various investigation techniques. The Narcotics unit utilizes all techniques including information gathering and analysis to further assistance in an arrest or search warrant.

If you would like to report any activity you believe to be drug related, you can call 512-943-1170 or send an email to druginfo@wilco.org.

The Patrol Division is responsible for providing public safety and assistance to over 135,000 Williamson County citizens, along with DWI and Traffic Enforcement throughout the entire County. The Patrol Division Commander James David and Specialized Units are based out of the Headquarters Office located in Georgetown, Texas. To better assist the citizens of Williamson County, the Sheriff’s Office also operates two additional substations on the West and East side of the county.  

Traffic Unit Page

State UAV Report
W.A.I.T

Do you have a traffic problem in your area that needs special attention? Click here to Email our Traffic Supervisor (speeding, school zone, etc)

This unit is dedicated to ensuring that the streets of Williamson County are safe for citizens to travel daily. This is done through heavy enforcement and high visibility in the unincorporated areas of Williamson County. They do, however, assist smaller agencies that do not have the assets to address these needs within their cities. They assist patrol on 9-1-1 calls, but mainly enforce the traffic laws of Texas. They are trained to work crashes ranging from minor incidents to fatalities. They also investigate all the leaving the scene crashes. Each deputy is highly trained in DWI detection and they work special holiday task forces to assure impaired drivers are aggressively interdicted. The unit also participates in special events to include, but not limited to, parades, traffic management, school zone speed enforcement, school bus safety programs, Shattered Dreams, rail grade crossing enforcement, Ride 2 Recovery escort, and escorts for fallen officers and soldiers. 
 
Within this unit, some deputies are assigned to motorcycle patrol as well as Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE). CVE units are trained to assure commercial traffic is operating legally and safely in the county. They are certified as Motor Carrier Safety Inspectors through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association as well as License and Weight deputies. These CVE deputies weigh commercial motor vehicles, inspect their registration and perform safety inspections on their equipment to assure our roads are safe and stay well maintained.
Do you have a traffic-related issue within the unincorporated part of Williamson County? Contact the traffic unit supervisor by email.Do you have a traffic related issue within the un-incorporated part of Williamson County? Contact the traffic unit supervisor by email.

Click here to send email to trafficconcerns@wilco.org The Traffic Unit checks this email Mon-Fri (6am-6pm). If you require immediate assistance or assistance on the weekend, or after 6pm please call 9-1-1 and request for a Deputy to contact you.

If I have a warrant with a city inside the county can I just pay the county?

Williamson County does NOT centralize all warrants. If the offense occurred inside the city limits then it's possible the Police Department may hold the original warrant.

If I have a warrant can I pay here, if not where do I pay it?

The Williamson County Warrant Division does not accept payments on any warrants, however, the Issuing Authority or Williamson County Constables Offices may be able to collect money for those warrants that contain fine amounts.*

How can I figure out if I have a warrant?

A person has a couple options to determine whether or not there is a warrant for their arrest.

  1. You may go to the Sheriff's Office with a photo ID.
  2. You can ask your attorney to fax the Sheriff's Office on official letterhead.

The Warrants division is prohibited from giving out any information via email or by phone.