Sheriff's Office

The purpose of this article is to help Baldwin County residents and visitors quickly understand how the Baldwin County AL Sheriff’s Office operates, the services it provides countywide, and the best way to get help from the right division at the right time. You’ll find a plain-English walkthrough of core responsibilities (from patrol to investigations, civil process, corrections, and more), step-by-step guidance for common needs like reporting a crime or applying for a pistol permit, an overview of community programs, and direct paths to official information. Each section below uses clear headings and detailed paragraphs to make it easy to scan, learn, and act.

Navigate the Sheriff’s Office Website With Confidence

Baldwin County spans fast-growing communities, coastal towns, and rural areas—so the Sheriff’s Office website is built to route you to the right service without guesswork. Start at the official Sheriff’s Office home page for announcements, division overviews, and links to common tasks; the main navigation highlights About, Divisions, Community Programs, Employment, Public Forms, and Contact options. Use the clearly labeled menus to jump straight to operational content (patrol, investigations, warrants, corrections), community offerings (citizens academy, youth programs), and public-facing tools like arrest search or crime reporting, all hosted on the Sheriff’s official domain for accuracy and security. Visit the Sheriff’s Office home page to begin.

Explore the Patrol Division section to learn how uniformed deputies prevent crime, respond to calls for service, and conduct proactive enforcement across Baldwin County’s neighborhoods, business corridors, and roadways. The patrol page frames how shifts are structured to cover a large geographic area and how deputies coordinate with communications, investigations, and school resource officers to keep calls moving efficiently and safely. Check the Patrol Division page for scope and responsibilities.

When an incident requires follow-up—anything from a burglary and property crime to more complex offenses—the case transitions to the Investigations Division. Investigators review reports, interview witnesses, develop leads, coordinate with other agencies when needed, and prepare cases for prosecutors. Because investigations depend on complete, timely information, the website emphasizes the importance of providing detailed statements and promptly answering calls from investigators. See the Investigations Division page for an overview of process and contact pathways.

The Sheriff’s Office also maintains a Corrections Division (the county jail), responsible for the safe, secure, and humane custody of inmates. Its online section explains rules, schedules, and procedures, including visitation rules and inmate services. For any question related to jail operations—visitation, deposits, or release procedures—start with the Corrections Division page, which organizes the rules and directs you to official guidance.

Public safety requires structure and standards behind the scenes. The agency details its Organization Chart and About pages to help residents understand leadership, lines of responsibility, and the office’s mission and history in Baldwin County. You can review the Organization Chart to see how divisions fit together and open the About Sheriff Lowery page for leadership background and priorities.

Visit the Sheriff’s Office home page for division links and announcements: official home page

See daily field operations on the Patrol Division page: Patrol Division

Learn how detectives handle cases on the Investigations Division page: Investigations Division

Review inmate and visitor procedures on the Corrections Division page: Corrections Division

Understand leadership and structure via the Organization Chart: Organization Chart

Report a Crime, Request a Deputy, or Check Arrests—Fast, Accurate, Official

Report non-emergency crimes the right way

If you need to share information that is not an immediate emergency, use the Sheriff’s official Report a Crime page. This route helps the office triage information, route your report to the correct unit, and start documentation. Include as much detail as possible—location, time frame, descriptions, and any photos or video you lawfully possess—so the initial report is complete and the handoff to patrol or investigations goes quickly.

File non-emergency information on the Report a Crime page: Report a Crime

Always call 911 for emergencies

For any life-threatening situation or in-progress crime, dial 911 immediately. The Sheriff’s Communications Division will dispatch units to your location, coordinate responding agencies if needed, and remain on the line to keep you safe and informed until help arrives.

Search arrests for transparency

The Sheriff’s website offers an official Arrest Search tool to help residents and crime victims stay informed. Checking this resource can answer common questions—whether someone has been booked, basic booking information, and status updates—without placing extra calls to the jail during busy shifts.

Look up bookings through the official Arrest Search: Arrest Search

Understand How Patrol Keeps Baldwin County Safe

What deputies do on patrol, day and night

Uniformed deputies are the Sheriff’s frontline responders. They handle calls for service, traffic enforcement, crash response, neighborhood checks, business alarms, and proactive patrols targeted to crime patterns. Patrol’s visibility on highways, near schools, and in residential areas deters crime and speeds response times across Baldwin County’s mix of small towns, suburbs, and rural zones.

How patrol, communications, and investigations work together

A typical call begins with the Communications Division receiving 911 or non-emergency calls and sending the nearest available patrol unit. Deputies stabilize the scene, gather statements, and determine if a report is required. If the incident needs follow-up (e.g., a burglary with evidence to process), patrol forwards the file to investigations. This chain—call intake, field response, case handoff—is designed for speed, accuracy, and accountability.

Traffic safety, school zones, and special events

Historically, Patrol coordinates with School Resource Officers for school-zone safety and with the county and municipalities for parades, festivals, runs, and other events that affect traffic patterns. When community groups need law-enforcement assistance for an event, the Sheriff’s Office provides an official process to evaluate safety needs and scheduling. If your organization plans a large event using public roads, contact the Patrol or Court Security/Operations point of contact through the site’s Contact Us area for advance coordination.

When a Case Needs Detective Work: Inside the Investigations Division

How cases move from first report to follow-up

After a deputy finishes a report, it goes to a supervisor for approval, then to the Investigations Division. Because report routing takes time (and investigators juggle multiple cases), the Sheriff’s site notes that a call from an investigator may take a couple of days. If you have questions about a case status or property recovery (for example, an item entered into the National Crime Information Center), the Investigations Division can provide updates once the report is in their queue.

Why detailed information matters

To advance a case, investigators need dates, times, serial numbers, bank or device records when relevant, and clear victim/witness statements. Promptly returning calls from investigators, keeping your contact information current, and sharing any new developments will help the case progress. If you receive a voicemail from an investigator, include your case number when you call back to connect faster.

Review scope and contacts on the Investigations Division page: Investigations Division

Civil Process, Warrants, and Court Security—What Residents Should Know

Civil Division: Serving legal papers and answering process questions

The Civil Division handles service of process for court documents like unlawful detainers and other civil papers. Fees, service requirements, and mailing instructions are standardized by the Sheriff’s Office. For example, the official site specifies that civil papers must be original, court-certified documents (not faxed copies) and provides a mailing address for service requests. If you need to confirm receipt, schedule, or status, use the Civil Division contact channel on the Sheriff’s site.

Find the right contact on the Pistol Permits/Civil contact page (covers civil-process inquiries): Pistol Permits/Civil contact

Warrants Division: Handling arrest warrants and coordination

The Warrants Division processes arrest warrants and coordinates with patrol and investigations to locate wanted individuals. If you believe a warrant might exist for you, the Sheriff’s official guidance is to appear in person at the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Corrections Center and speak to personnel in the Docket Room. This ensures identity verification and consistent handling under Alabama law and local procedures.

Court Security: Keeping court operations safe and orderly

Court Security works with the Baldwin County courts to keep hearings and proceedings safe, manage screening, and escort individuals as ordered by the court. If you have a court date, arrive early to pass through security screening; for questions about procedures or items allowed, contact the Court Security line listed on the Sheriff’s site.

Corrections Division: Visitation, Deposits, Releases, and Inmate Services

Visiting an inmate: follow the posted rules

The Corrections Division page includes a link to Visitation Rules, which spell out how to schedule and what to bring (or not bring). Following those rules helps avoid delays at the lobby or visitation area. If you’re unsure about a detail, check the corrections page first; it consolidates current guidance and updates for the jail facility.

Review rules and procedures on the Corrections Division page: Corrections Division

Depositing funds: official channels only

The Sheriff’s site explains that inmate funds are handled through electronic deposit services and that receipts can take time to appear, particularly on weekends. If you need account confirmation or there’s a discrepancy with a deposit, the site provides a Finance Division phone line for assistance during weekday business hours. For privacy reasons, inmate account details are released only to the inmate upon written request through the assigned pod officer.

Property and releases

Booking procedures safeguard property so items can be returned at release, mailed when required, or transferred when an inmate moves to another facility. If you need to ask about a seized firearm related to a case, contact the evidence custodian through the Sheriff’s listed number; staff will explain the process that applies to your specific situation and whether property is eligible for return.

School Resource Officers and Youth Programs: Building Safety Through Engagement

School Resource: daily safety and mentorship on campus

The School Resource program places trained deputies in schools to promote safety, build trust, and serve as a day-to-day resource for students and staff. These deputies handle security concerns, mediate issues before they escalate, and coordinate with patrol and investigations if an incident requires further action.

Community programs that grow resilient communities

The Sheriff’s Office runs a broad set of Community Programs designed to connect with youth and families, educate residents on crime prevention, and provide structured opportunities for mentorship and leadership. Programs include:

Citizens Academy — a hands-on, multi-session overview of how the Sheriff’s Office operates.

Cadet Program — leadership and public-service exposure for young adults.

Project Lifesaver — support for families caring for loved ones who wander due to cognitive conditions.

Seasonal events such as Shining Star Camp, safety-focused activities like the Bike Rodeo, and other community outreach.

Browse offerings and schedules on the Citizens Academy page within Community Programs: Citizens Academy

Pistol Permits and Concealed Carry: Where to Start

Apply or renew using official Sheriff’s channels

Baldwin County residents can apply for or renew pistol/concealed carry permits through the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff provides an online application path and in-person kiosks at designated locations. Fees, eligibility, term options (including multi-year or lifetime options with conditions), payment methods, and processing steps are explained on the Sheriff’s site. For questions, use the Sheriff’s Pistol Permits/Civil contact route so your inquiry reaches the correct personnel who process applications and renewals.

Use the Pistol Permits/Civil contact route for permit questions: Pistol Permits/Civil contact

Where in-person kiosks are available

Kiosks are available at multiple Baldwin County offices, including Bay Minette and satellite courthouse locations in Fairhope and Foley, as well as a Robertsdale location. Where the site lists a specific street address, it is included below in the contact list. If you plan to visit a kiosk, check the Sheriff’s contact page first for hours and to confirm availability.

Sex Offender Compliance: Know the Rules, Follow the Process

The Sheriff’s Sex Offender Compliance division provides local compliance oversight, registrant check-ins, and community education related to Alabama’s sex-offender laws. If you have a compliance question—such as how and when to report an address change, or documentation required—go straight to the Sheriff’s compliance contact page. Staff can explain timelines, what documents to bring, and how to remain in good standing with state requirements.

Reach the unit through the Sex Offender Compliance contact pathway: Sex Offender Compliance

Professional Standards, Training, and Human Resources: How the Agency Maintains Quality

Professional Standards: accountability and policy compliance

The Professional Standards unit manages internal reviews, policy updates, and the processes that keep the Sheriff’s Office in line with statutory and best-practice expectations. This function also captures commendations and concerns from the public, ensuring feedback is routed and addressed according to policy.

Training Division: skills, certifications, and readiness

The Training division schedules in-service training, certifications, and required courses so deputies and staff maintain the skills they need for patrol, investigations, corrections, and specialized assignments. Training also supports School Resource Officers and community-engagement activities.

Human Resources: careers, benefits, and hiring

If you’re interested in a career in public safety—patrol deputy, corrections, communications (dispatch), or professional staff—the Find a Job page lists current opportunities and application instructions. HR can explain qualifications, testing, and background steps. When the Sheriff’s Office announces recruitment events or new academy classes, updates typically appear on the main site.

Explore current openings on the official Find a Job page: Find a Job

Budget & Finance and Public Forms: Transparent, Organized, Responsive

Budget & Finance: payments and assistance for official matters

The Budget & Finance division handles internal finance and certain public-facing payment processes noted in the Sheriff’s site FAQs. If you need help reconciling a deposit related to inmate accounts or verifying a finance-related receipt during business hours, use the Finance contact on the Sheriff’s site to reach the correct staff member.

Public Forms: one stop for official documents

The Sheriff’s Public Forms section centralizes downloadable forms and instructions connected to Sheriff’s services. Before calling, scan the forms area; chances are there’s a printable or fillable document for your request, saving you time and a trip to an office counter.

Download official documents through Public Forms: Public Forms

Communications Division and Victim Services: Get Help, Stay Informed

Communications Division: the county’s public safety lifeline

The Communications Division is the 24/7 hub connecting callers with deputies and allied responders. For emergencies, call 911 immediately. For urgent but non-emergency matters such as reporting suspicious activity that is not in progress, use the main Sheriff’s Office phone line listed on the contact page. Communications will create a call for service and dispatch patrol.

Victims Rights: access to information and support

The Sheriff’s site includes a Victims Rights contact route to help victims navigate processes like obtaining a copy of a report, understanding court procedures, or connecting with the appropriate division for restitution or protective orders. For a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order, the site explains that you must file through the Baldwin County Circuit Clerk’s Office in the Bay Minette courthouse. The Sheriff’s Office enforces court orders when issued and served.

Community Corrections and Alternatives: Accountability With Support

The Community Corrections division coordinates court-ordered alternatives and supervision programs that reduce recidivism while maintaining accountability and public safety. If you’re required to report to Community Corrections, use the contact link in the Sheriff’s site to confirm reporting instructions, program rules, and required documentation before your first visit.

Work With the Sheriff’s Office for Events or Off-Duty Details

When organizers plan runs, parades, or events on public roads, the Sheriff’s Office evaluates requests to ensure safe routes and adequate staffing. Expect to provide a route map, evidence of public notice, and proof of liability insurance, and to coordinate timing with EMS and fire. If your business needs an off-duty deputy for security, traffic control, or similar assignments, use the Sheriff’s Hire a Deputy channel so the request is screened and scheduled properly with command staff oversight.

Partner Agencies Residents Should Know

Public safety is a team effort across county, state, and federal levels. The Sheriff’s site highlights key official partners that Baldwin County residents can reference when appropriate:

The Baldwin County Commission provides county-level services and supports public safety infrastructure and policy across departments. Check the Commission’s official site for county departments, meeting schedules, and resources: Baldwin County Commission

The Baldwin County EMA coordinates disaster preparedness, weather alerts, and emergency management planning across the county’s jurisdictions: Baldwin County EMA

These partners, alongside municipal police departments and state agencies, coordinate with the Sheriff’s Office during emergencies, major incidents, and planned events.

How to Contact the Right Division Quickly

The Contact Us hub on the Sheriff’s site lists direct lines for divisions you’re most likely to call: Patrol, Investigations, Civil, Finance, Corrections, Community Corrections, Communications, Court Security, HR, Professional Standards, School Resource Officer/Community Outreach, Sex Offender Compliance, the Sheriff, Training, and Victims Rights. The page also reminds residents: for emergencies or to file a report by phone, call the main office or 911; email is reviewed within business processes and is not for emergencies.

Use the official Contact Us hub to reach any division directly: Contact Us

Departments, Addresses, and Phone Numbers

Main Office — Phone: (251) 937-0202

Human Resources Division — Phone: (251) 239-4303

Civil Division — 320 N. Hoyle Ave., Bay Minette, AL 36507 — Phone: (251) 937-0200

Investigations Division — Phone: (251) 972-8589

Warrants Division — Phone: (251) 580-2519

Finance Division — Phone: (251) 580-1837

Patrol Division — Phone: (251) 937-0202

Corrections (Jail) — Phone: (251) 937-0202

Community Corrections — Phone: (251) 580-1678

Communications Division — Phone: (251) 937-0202

Court Security — Phone: (251) 937-0202

Professional Standards — Phone: (251) 937-0202

School Resource Officer/Community Outreach — Phone: (251) 937-0202

Sex Offender Compliance — Phone: (251) 937-0202

Training Division — Phone: (251) 937-0202

Victims Rights — Phone: (251) 937-0202

Pistol Permit/Civil — Bay Minette: 320 N. Hoyle Ave.; Fairhope: Satellite Courthouse; Foley: Satellite Courthouse; Robertsdale: Regions Bank Bldg., 2nd floor — Phone: (251) 937-0202

Baldwin County Sheriff’s Corrections Center Docket Room — Phone: (251) 937-0202

Baldwin County Sheriff's Office FAQs

How do I file or follow up on a non-emergency report?

For incidents that aren’t in progress, use the official Report a Crime portal to start a report and route it to the right division. Include dates, locations, serial numbers, and any lawful photos or video so investigators have solid leads from the outset. If a deputy has already taken your report, allow time for supervisor approval and case assignment before expecting a follow-up call from detectives. Start here: Report a Crime.

Where can I check recent bookings or case status without calling the jail?

The Sheriff’s Office provides a public Arrest Search tool. It’s the fastest official way to see if someone has been booked and to review basic booking details, which helps reduce call volume to Corrections during peak hours. Access it anytime via Arrest Search.

What should I know before visiting someone at the Corrections Center?

Visitation is governed by posted rules, scheduling windows, and lobby procedures that can change. Review the Corrections division page first; it links directly to visitation rules and outlines approved items and check-in steps so you’re not turned away at the door. Read the current guidance on Corrections.

How do pistol permits work for new, renewal, multi-year, or lifetime options?

Residents can apply or renew online or at lobby kiosks in designated county locations. Fees are set per year, with a reduced rate for seniors (conditions apply for lifetime permits). Online applications are processed and mailed when approved; in-office kiosks accept standard payment methods. Begin the process through the official Pistol Permit portal: Pistol Permit.