The Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office (AACOSO) is the law enforcement arm of the court, serving the citizens of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, population 588,261.[1] All deputy sheriffs are certified law enforcement officials with full authority of arrest. The constitution of Maryland, Article IV, Section 44, establishes the Office of an elected Sheriff in each County and Baltimore City. The duties of the Sheriff are those established by common law, judicial opinion and the Maryland General Assembly. (e.g., Prince George's County V. Aluisi, MD Court of Appeals, June 8,1999).
History
The AACOSO is the oldest Law Enforcement agency in Anne Arundel County and was organized in 1650. John Norwood was appointed the first sheriff[2] and was paid in pounds of tobacco for services rendered (e.g., serving any writ such as a warrant, tending prisoners, collecting taxes, etc.). In 1776, with the formation of the Maryland Constitution, the sheriff became an elected position with an initial term lasting one year. The term was then changed to three years, then two, and finally four years in 1926 where it remains today.[3]
In 2016, county leaders asked sheriff Ron Bateman to resign after he was charged with assault following a domestic dispute with his wife. He stayed on until 2018.[4]
In 2022, a sergeant allegedly assaulted a woman in a parking lot. Despite being aware of the allegations, the Sheriff's Office took no action. After a few days a deputy informed the Anne Arundel County Police of the incident and the police arrested the sergeant.[5]
The duties of the AACOSO are to enforce writs of the court, maintain Circuit Court warrants for the county, extradite prisoners from foreign jurisdictions, transport prisoners between holding facilities and the courts, and maintain courtroom decorum. The AACOSO is also charged with assisting other law enforcement agencies as needed.
Organization
The current sheriff is Everett L. Sesker, serving his first term. He is the first Black sheriff of Anne Arundel County.[6]
The Bureau of Field Operations is headed by Captain Rhodes.
The Bureau of Field Operations is responsible for the oversight of the following sections: Warrant Squads, Civil Squads, Domestic Violence Squad and K9 Squad.
The Bureau of Court Security is headed by Captain Andre.
The Bureau of Court Security is responsible the following sections: Transportation Squads and Security Squads.
The Bureau of Administration is headed by Captain Corcoran.
The Bureau of Administration is responsible for the oversight of the following sections: Personnel, Finance, Training, Procurement, Community Relations, Communications and Document Control.
Fallen deputies - killed in the line of duty
January 10, 1967 – Deputy Sheriff Clarence Johnson succumbed to inquires sustained in an automobile accident on Ritchie Highway while transporting a prisoner to the Anne Arundel County Jail. The prisoner had previously resisted arrest for service of a bench warrant. Both Deputy Johnson and the prisoner were killed after it was reported that the subject may have begun to struggle with Deputy Johnson during transport. Deputy Johnson was survived by his wife and six children.[8][9]
August 15, 2022 – Deputy Sheriff Scott C. McArdle had reported to duty for his assigned shift with the Domestic Violence Unit. He began to feel unwell shortly after and immediately sought aid at the Anne Arundel Medical Center. He died during treatment from a heart attack.[10]
