Wells County Sheriff's Office

09/02/2026

NOW HIRING - JAIL COMMANDER

Wells County Sheriff's Office

Position: Jail Commander

Department: Wells County Sheriff's Office
Position: Jail Commander
Reports To: Sheriff / Chief Deputy
Employment Status: Full-Time, Civilian Position; Special Deputy Appointment
Facility: Wells County Jail
Starting Salary: $75,451.91 annually
Experience Credit: Placement on the applicable pay matrix may be adjusted based on relevant prior experience, with up to 10 years of seniority credit available for pay and vacation. (Projected 2027 20-year salary matrix $75,451.91 - $92,065.67)

Position Summary

The Wells County Sheriff's Office is seeking a qualified and experienced professional to serve as Jail Commander. The Jail Commander is responsible for the overall administration, security, safety, and daily operation of the Wells County Jail, a 100-bed facility.

The Jail Commander provides leadership and supervision to approximately 25 jail staff members and works directly under the direction of the Sheriff or Chief Deputy. This position is responsible for maintaining a safe, secure, professional, and legally compliant correctional environment while promoting effective inmate programs and successful reentry.

The Jail Commander will be appointed as a Special Deputy and must maintain fi****ms qualification and be available to assist with inmate transportation and other Sheriff's Office duties as needed.

Essential Responsibilities

Direct and oversee all daily jail operations, security, and inmate services.

Supervise, lead, evaluate, and hold approximately 25 jail employees accountable for performance and conduct.

Participate in hiring, training, scheduling, employee evaluations, and disciplinary matters.

Develop, maintain, and enforce jail policies, procedures, and operational standards.

Ensure compliance with applicable Indiana laws, regulations, correctional standards, and Sheriff's Office policies.

Oversee jail accreditation and compliance activities.

Serve as the primary coordinator for PREA compliance, including training, documentation, reporting, and corrective actions.

Develop and oversee inmate programs that promote rehabilitation, accountability, and successful reentry.

Lead the development and implementation of the jail's work release program.

Develop and monitor the jail's operating budget and make recommendations regarding staffing, equipment, training, and facility needs.

Coordinate with the Sheriff, courts, prosecutors, probation, Community Corrections, law enforcement agencies, medical providers, and community organizations.

Respond to emergencies, critical incidents, and significant operational issues.

Ensure jail staff receive required training and maintain appropriate certifications.

Maintain required fi****ms qualification and assist with inmate transports as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in corrections, law enforcement, criminal justice, or a related field.

Demonstrated leadership and supervisory ability.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to exercise sound judgment and make effective decisions in high-stress situations.

Ability to work professionally with inmates, employees, law-enforcement personnel, courts, and the public.

Successful completion of a comprehensive background investigation and other Sheriff's Office requirements.

Ability to qualify and maintain qualification with a firearm.

Ability to meet the requirements for appointment as a Special Deputy.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior supervisory or management experience in a correctional or detention facility.

Experience with jail accreditation and/or PREA compliance.

Experience with work release, Community Corrections, or inmate reentry programs.

Experience with employee hiring, discipline, training, and performance management.

Experience with budget development and administration.

Associate's or bachelor's degree in criminal justice, corrections, public administration, management, or a related field.

Working Conditions

This position requires flexibility and availability outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency situations. The Jail Commander may be required to respond to critical incidents and assist with inmate transportation.

The position involves working in a correctional environment and requires the ability to safely respond to potentially stressful, unpredictable, and hazardous situations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Wells County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, s*x, national origin, age, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work associated with the position and is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.

If interested, applications can be found at https://wellscounty.org/sheriffs-office/ under the “job opportunities” section. Applications can also be picked up in person at the Wells County Sheriff’s Office during office hours, 8AM – 4PM.

Applications must be submitted to the Sheriff’s Office by September 16, 2026 at 4PM.

08/24/2026

Friday night, several deputies took part in a traffic blitz looking for impaired and dangerous drivers. Deputies conducted 51 traffic stops. Deputies issued 9 tickets and 51 warnings. One driver was arrested for unlicensed driving. Deputies also investigated a major crash with minor injuries where alcohol was most likely a contributing factor.

Note: All subjects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Note: Traffic stops can have multiple warnings or tickets and warnings together.

08/24/2026

DO YOU KNOW ME - Very friendly male dog at SW HS. Camo collar, no tags. Maybe collie mix. Call 765-728-5534 if you recognize him.

08/20/2026

Congratulations to Deputy Nash Hoffman (center) on his graduation from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy this evening!

Pictured left to right: Sergeant Agler, Chief Deputy Campbell, Deputy Hoffman, Sheriff Holliday, and Sergeant Springer.

08/17/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 17, 2026

The Wells County Sheriff's Office to increase impaired driving enforcement ahead of Labor Day

WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA — As summer winds down, the Wells County Sheriff's Office is partnering with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) to increase patrols as part of the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over national enforcement campaign, supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Through the Comprehensive Highway Injury Reduction Program (CHIRP), an ICJI initiative that provides federal funding for local traffic safety enforcement, officers statewide will work overtime beginning August 19 through September 7, 2026, to identify and stop motorists under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

“Our officers are seeing the consequences of impaired driving far too often,” said Chief Deputy AJ Campbell. “As we enter the final weeks of summer, we’re asking every driver to make responsible decisions. A sober ride isn’t just the safest option—it’s the choice that saves lives.”

Preliminary data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows that in 2025, nearly 23% of Indiana’s traffic fatalities involved alcohol, and more than 41% involved drug impairment.

“Impaired driving continues to be one of the most serious threats on our roadways, and we’re focused on reducing these tragedies through education and enforcement,” said Douglas Huntsinger, executive director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “This year’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign reminds everyone that impaired driving is preventable. When you choose a sober ride, you’re helping protect your community and ensuring everyone makes it home safely.”

In Indiana, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, although drivers can be arrested at any BAC level if an officer believes they are impaired.

Have a Plan Whether You're Driving, Riding, or Hosting:

· Before drinking, plan a safe and sober ride home.

· Don’t let someone get behind the wheel if they've been drinking.

· If you’re hosting a gathering, make sure all your guests have a sober ride home.

· If you see an impaired driver, call 911. Always wear your seat belt — it’s your best defense against impaired drivers.

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign, administered by ICJI, is supported with federal traffic safety funds provided by the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.

08/14/2026

Last night deputies with the DETECT Drug Task Force in a joint investigation with Grant County’s JEAN Team Drug Task Force arrested Charles White for dealing a narcotic drug, a level 2 felony.

JEAN Team and DETECT officers followed Charles to a residence in northern wells county. Charles had 3 active arrest warrants for drug dealing and has evaded officers several times. While an apprehension plan was being put together, Charles left the residence in a white Dodge Charger. Officers were following him when he crashed at County Roads 100 East and 700 North. Charles fled on foot by the time officers caught up.

An hours long search was conducted using police dogs, drones, and officers from several jurisdictions. Charles was eventually found by a drone hiding in a bean field. He was taken into custody without further incident. A large amount of narcotics and cash were recovered.

During this incident a deputy was involved in a crash doing minor damage to a vehicle, but no one was hurt.

Involved agencies: Wells County Sheriff Office, Marion Police, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Bluffton Police, Ossian Police, Huntington County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Markle Police, Ossian Fire Department, Indiana Conservation Officers, and the Bluffton 911 Center

NOTE: An arrest is merely an accusation based on Probable Cause and all subjects are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

08/12/2026

BACK TO SCHOOL! Here’s SRO Gerz this morning waiting to start the school year.

08/11/2026

School Bus Safety - With school starting back up this week it’s important to remind drivers when to stop for school buses. Deputies will be out doing special patrols following school buses looking for stop arm violations.

08/11/2026

UPDATE: State Road 116 is open between CR 450 East and CR 600 East. Thanks to the help of several community members who cut up and moved the tree out of the roadway!

This morning’s storm with strong winds, reported possible tornados, and heavy rain is making travel difficult. Currently there are tree limbs down several places. State Road 116 is closed at 5089 East for a large tree across the road.

08/09/2026

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!! - Wells County emergency responders will take part in a large scale disaster drill on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 from approximately 08:00-12:00 hours. This will take place in the area of the Ossian Industrial Park. There will be an increase in emergency vehicles (which may include lights and sirens) and first responders in the area. THIS IS ONLY A DRILL!

***Special Announcement***

The Wells County Emergency Management, Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) in partnership with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security will be conducting a full-scale disaster exercise in support of local disaster readiness, Operation Dark Cloud.
***This is only a DRILL***

Date- Aug 11th,2026
Location- Linder Oil, Ossian.
When- 8:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
What to expect- Increased emergency vehicle and pedestrian traffic
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