The Office of Sheriff is an elected office, constitutionally mandated in the State of Michigan. The Sheriff serves a 4-year term of office with the duties and powers of the Office provided by law.

The Sheriff is first and foremost a peace officer charged with enforcing the laws of the State of Michigan and with discharging the executive law enforcement power for the preservation of public peace within the County.

In Michigan, the Office of Sheriff has been charged with many duties in addition to its peace keeping function. Included in this list are:

• Establishment, maintenance and operation of the County Jail
• Execution of orders, judgments and civil process of the Courts as well as Court Security
• Patrol and traffic services on county roads
• Executive duties on the County Concealed Weapons Board
• Enforcement of local marine safety
• Recovery of drowned bodies
• Enforcement of county and local ordinances
• Maintaining local criminal records

As an elected official, the Sheriff is directly responsible to the citizens of Branch County for the provision of effective and acceptable law enforcement services as well as the safe and effective operation of the jail.