ABOUT THE CARVER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CHAPLAIN PROGRAM                     

The Carver County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Program is established for the purpose of providing spiritual and emotional support to all members of the Office, their families and members of the public.

The Chaplain Program shall be a nondenominational, ecumenical ministry provided by volunteer clergy without financial compensation.                        

GOALS OF THE CHAPLAIN PROGRAM

• By serving as a resource for Office personnel when dealing with the public in such incidents as accidental deaths, suicides, suicidal subjects, serious accidents, and drug and alcohol abuse and other such situations that may arise.
• By providing an additional link between the community, other Chaplain Programs and the Office.
• By providing counseling, spiritual guidance and insight for Office personnel and their families.
• By being alert to the spiritual and emotional needs of Office personnel and their families.
• By familiarizing themselves with the role of law enforcement in the community.

REQUIREMENTS

Candidates for the Chaplain Program shall meet the following requirements before formally being designated as a Law Enforcement Chaplain:

• Must be ecclesiastically certified and/or endorsed, ordained, licensed or commissioned by a recognized religious body
• Have a valid MN driver’s license
• Successfully pass a background investigation

SELECTION PROCESS

Chaplain candidates are encouraged to participate in the ride-along program before and during the selection process. Chaplain candidates shall successfully complete the following process prior to deployment as a chaplain:

(a)   Complete the application for employment.
(b)   Recommendations from their faith’s community elders, board or council.
(c)   Interview with Sheriff and Chaplain Supervisor (or their designee).
(d)   Successfully complete an appropriate level background investigation (civilian position).
(e)   Successfully pass a fit for duty physical examination.
(f)    Successfully complete initial training as directed by the Chaplain Liaison Sergeant.
(g)   Complete an appropriate probationary period as designated by the Sheriff.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Chaplains are volunteer members of the Office. The duties of a Chaplain include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assisting in making notification to families of Office members who have been seriously injured or killed.
• After notification, responding to the hospital or home of the Office member.
• Visiting sick or injured law enforcement personnel in the hospital or at home.
• Attending and participating, when requested, in funerals of active or retired members of the Office.
• Assisting other personnel in the diffusion of a conflict or incident when requested by on-scene staff.
• Responding to natural and accidental deaths, suicides and attempted suicides, family disturbances and any other incident that, in the judgment of the Shift Sergeant or Supervisor, aids in accomplishing the mission of the Office.
• Being on call, and if possible on-duty, during major demonstrations or any public function that requires the presence of a large number of Office personnel.
• Attending Office and academy graduations, ceremonies and social events and offering invocations and benedictions, as requested.
• Responding to all major disasters such as floods, bombings and similar critical incidents.
• Providing liaison with various religious leaders of the community.
• Assisting public safety personnel and the community in any other function of the clergy profession as requested.
• Participating in training classes.
• Willing to train to enhance effectiveness.
• Promptly facilitating requests from representatives or leaders of other denominations.
• Making referrals in cases where specialized attention is needed, or in those cases that are beyond the chaplain’s ability to assist.

If you are interested in joining the Carver County Sheriff's Office team as a Chaplain, you can apply via this link:

APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT

The members of the dive team are community volunteers, firefighters, and sheriff's deputies that are prepared to respond to water related calls for service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This unique formula in creating a team has allowed Carver County to develop and maintain a team of greater numbers, skill sets and experience. The Carver County Sheriff's Office provides the equipment and training for the group. The Dive Team meets twice a month to maintain equipment, review procedures and train with other agencies.

The Dive Team responds to a wide range of incidents including missing persons, evidence recovery and vehicle/equipment extrication. The Carver County Dive Team has conducted operations in numerous lakes in Carver County, the Minnesota River and waterways outside of Carver County when mutual aid is requested.

Dive team members also provide presentations to community groups and schools on the operations of the team.

The Dive Team is continuously accepting applications for volunteers to serve as divers or support personnel. If you are interested in joining the Carver County Sheriff's Dive Team, please complete a Carver County Application. Mail to Carver County Sheriff's Dive Team, 606 East 4th Street, Chaska, MN 55318.

Requirements: 18 years of age, valid driver's license, successful completion of an interview, background investigation, and preplacement physical examination.

Internship

The Carver County Sheriff's Office offers an internship program to individuals interested in learning about the law enforcement field.

Interns are supervised by the Training Unit. Interns may be utilized as a "role player" for training scenarios and interns will also be allowed to participate or observe the training activities within the Sheriff's Office.

Depending on the interests of the intern or college requirements, interns may work several divisions and units with the Sheriff's Office. Interns may be allowed to observe deputies assigned to Patrol, Court Security & Transports, Jail, Investigations, SWAT, Civil, etc. Interns are often assigned projects and duties that vary depending on the unit or division they are working with.

Please complete the Carver County application to be considered. Mail to: Carver County Sheriff's Office - Attn. Internship, 606 East Fourth Street, Chaska, MN 55318-2102. 

If the applicant meets the minimum requirements (listed below), a background and interview will be completed. If applicant is approved, a schedule will be created based on the intern's interests and availability.

Requirements:

• A valid MN drivers license
• Preference to academic needs / requirements
• Successful completion of background
• Responsible and reputable character
• Ability to commit to at least 5 hours of a scheduled day

Mentorship

The Carver County Sheriff's Office offers a mentorship program to qualified high school students under the age of 18 who are interested in law enforcement. Students who participate in the program spend 5-10 hours each week observing various Sheriff's Office divisions and units. During the program, students complete a project for school on the topic of their choice. Past mentorship projects have included DNA, Tasers, and law enforcement use of force. 

For more information, please contact the Training Sergeant at (952) 361-1212.

Established in 1965, the Carver County Sheriff's Office Mounted Posse is a volunteer organization with approximately 25 members that assist the Sheriff's Office with security, crowd control, search and rescue operations, community relations and outreach activities. 

The Carver County Sheriff's Office Mounted Posse is now accepting applications!

Please complete the Carver County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) application AND the Carver County application to be considered. Mail both applications to: Carver County Sheriff's Office, Attn. Mounted Posse, 606 East Fourth Street, Chaska, MN 55318-2102.

If the applicant meets the minimum requirements (listed below), the applicant will be contacted for an interview. Upon successful completion of the interview, the applicant will be given a background packet to complete. During this time, a site visit will be scheduled to observe the applicant and their horse. With successful completion of the background and site visit, the applicant will be asked to schedule a health assessment exam with the county's selected medical provider. With successful passing of the exam, the applicant will receive notification of the acceptance to the Mounted Posse. Please contact the Carver County Sheriff's Office at (952) 361-1212 for additional questions.

Requirements:

• 21 years of age
• A valid driver's license
• Successful completion of a background and health assessment
• Have the use of a horse of 5 years of age or older (No Stallions)
• Immediate access to truck and trailer
• There is no requirement to live in Carver County, however, a member must be able to respond to Carver County within 30 minutes

Members and their horses must pass sensory trainings throughout a calendar year. The sensory training involves an obstacle course to expose the horse and rider to many situations, such as gun fire, going over bridges, water obstacles, etc. The horses and riders must also pass an equitation test, which involves

• Basic maneuvers on horseback (walking, trotting and cantering)
• Taking the correct lead at a canter
• Side passing in both directions
• Turning on the forehand and turning on the haunches

Posse members are expected to attend selected training sessions throughout a calendar year. Community events that members are asked to attend:

• Carver County Fair
• Parades
• Patrol of County Parks
• National Night Out
• Patrol at City and County Events
• Winstock Music Festival (Assist to McLeod County Sheriff's Office)

Mounted Posse Brochure

Carver County Posse Video

In 1955, Sheriff Lester W. Melchert fostered the idea that the existing peace officers in the area form a nucleus for an improved police force operation in the county. In doing so, Sheriff Melchert set about to encourage local citizens of the county to join the Carver County Sheriff's Office Reserves.

The Reserves are a volunteer organization that assist the Sheriff's Office with security and crowd control, accident scene assistance, traffic control, search and rescue operations, water patrol, snowmobile patrol, park patrol, and community events.

The Carver County Sheriff's Office Reserves is now accepting applications Please complete the Carver County Application AND Questionnaire to be considered. Mail both to Carver County Sheriff’s Office – Attn. Reserves, 606 East Fourth Street, Chaska, MN 55318-2102. If you have further questions, please contact: Lieutenant of Administrative & Justice Services at (952) 361-1212.

If the applicant meets the minimum requirements (listed below), the applicant will be contacted for an interview. Upon successful completion of the interview, the applicant will be given a background packet to complete and returned to the Sheriff's Office. If the background is completed successfully, the applicant will be asked to complete a health assessment with the County's selected medical provider. Upon successful completion of both requirements, the applicant will receive notification of acceptance to the Reserves.

Requirements:

• 18 years of age
• A valid MN driver's license
• Must live within 30 minutes of Cologne or 10 minutes from the Carver County border
• Successfully complete the background and health assessment requirements
• Attend monthly meetings
• Volunteer a minimum of 12 hours per month
• Strong communication and listening skills

The Reserves receive training similar to that of our licensed deputies. Monthly training will include various topics relevant to their duties.