The Berks County Sheriff's Department is staffed with 107 full-time employees, operates a fleet of 30 vehicles and occupies three floors of the Berks County Courthouse.  The department is responsible for elements of criminal court, civil court, enforcement of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code and Motor Vehicle Code, and has a licensing issuance and enforcement function.  The department service area not only includes all of Berks County but is often required to travel the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the entire United States.  The department services tens of thousands of civil customers in the county and handles over 12,000 criminal defendants each year. The Sheriff's Department is organized into 5 Divisions: Civil, Court, Patrol, Central Booking and Warrants.

 

 

Duties of the Sheriff

• To serve and enforce all orders of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas.
   
• To provide security and protection for the court of common pleas and court related functions.
   
• To transport prisoners to and from county, state, and federal correctional institutions for court appearances.
   
• To enforce the Pennsylvania Crimes Code and Motor Vehicle Code.
   
• To operate the county Central Booking Center.
   
• To assist other law enforcement agencies in Berks County whenever needed and in special law enforcement functions such as the Berks County Drug Task Force, Operation Nightlight, DUI Enforcement Checkpoints, Tobacco Compliance Enforcement and community events.
   
• To serve bench warrants, civil writs and extradite fugitives from justice.
   
• To serve and enforce Protection From Abuse orders.
   
• To enforce child custody orders.
   
• To conduct levies, sales of personal property and real estate.
   
• To issue Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms and License to Sell Firearms.
   
• To perform other duties as requested by the court of common pleas and the county commissioners.