The men and women of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office are dedicated to enforcing the law and protecting the public. This agency has demonstrated the professionalism and expertise to help guide the community as it continues its remarkable growth.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) has a proud and distinguished history that dates back to 1792, and has grown to be east Tennessee’s largest law enforcement agency. Today, more than 1,000 employees work for the department – a group of men and women dedicated to protecting public safety in our community. Approximately 500 of these employees are certified police officers recognized by the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission. The Sheriff’s Office provides services to an area covering 528 square miles, with a population of 382,000 citizens.

Law enforcement services are provided by personnel from five Patrol detachments, the Traffic Division, the Detective Division, Major Crimes Unit, Narcotics and Aviation, Criminal Warrants, Forensic Services, and Park Patrol. The department also has more specially trained personnel than any other agency in east Tennessee, with a Hazardous Materials Team, Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), Special Operation Response Team (SORT), Hazardous Devices Unit, Tracking Team, Dive Team, Marine Patrol, Sheriff’s Underwater Recovery Team (SURT), Critical Incident Negotiation Team, K-9 Unit and Motorcycle Division. This agency is also the only law enforcement office in east Tennessee with an Aviation Unit, and was the first Sheriff’s Office in the southeast to have its own site on the Internet. In addition, the Sheriff’s Office is the agency responsible for the care and custody of all incarcerated individuals in Knox County, whether it originates from a city or county arrest.