The Knox County Sheriff’s Department will now be the primary law enforcement agency for the City of Abingdon.
Sheriff Jack Harlan announced the partnership this week after the Knox County Board and City of Abingdon recently came into an agreement.
The Sheriff’s Office will provide 24-hour, 7 days a week, coverage within the City.
The Sheriff’s Office will also provide an investigator to investigate certain crimes that require specialized training.
Sheriff Harlan says, “ It has been difficult for many small agencies to maintain Law Enforcement services which has caused many to contract with their local Sheriff’s Office.”
The City of Abingdon will still maintain ownership of the current Law Enforcement building and keep it as an annex for the Sheriff’s Office, giving citizens a facility to meet face-to-face with the Sheriff’s Deputies.
Sheriff Harlan says the agreement was made without incurring additional costs to the citizens of Knox County or the residents of Abingdon
As part of the agreement, the Sheriff’s Office will be required to hire four additional Deputies and supply all the needed equipment to ensure that the existing Patrol requirements of
Knox County are covered in addition to newly required coverage for Abingdon.
