County Sheriff's Office

Aitkin County Sheriff's Office

The Aitkin County Sheriff's Office is committed to safeguarding the lives and property of the citizens and visitors to all 1,828 square miles of Aitkin County. The office provides this through the following services:

Protect and serve with dignity and respect.

POST Mandated Policies

• Asset Forfeiture
• Bias-based Policing
• Criminal Conduct On School Buses
• Deputy Response To Calls
• Domestic Abuse
• Eyewitness Identification
• First Amendment Assemblies
• Informants
• Missing Persons
• Personnel Complaints
• Registered Predatory Offender
• Sexual Assault Investigations
• Use Of Force
• Vehicle Pursuits

Sheriff's Office Hours
Communications Center and Jail open 24 hours a day
Administration 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday

Aitkin County Sheriff's Office Contact Numbers:

The following are direct numbers frequently dialed:

County  Directory

Sheriff's Administration

The Sheriff's Administration Office is the primary contact point for the public to conduct business. Our hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

In addition, the office:

Permit to Carry
Permit to Purchase
Alarm Registration
Raft Permit
Fee Schedule

Civil Process

Mortgage Foreclosure Sales:

Notice of Mortgage Foreclosure Sales are published in local newspapers (i.e. Aitkin Independent Age, Voyageur Press) by the law firm representing the mortgagee.

Mortgage Foreclosure Sales are conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Thursdays at the Sheriff’s office. The only forms of payment accepted are cash or certified check. No personal checks accepted.

For questions or additional information concerning mortgage foreclosure sales contact 218-927-7430

Sheriff's Office Fee Schedule

All fees are subject to change without notice.

Securing and safely keeping property in replevin, attachment or an execution, fee based on time spent and hourly rate of pay for deputy executing the process.

** if the actual fee exceeds the amount of deposit, you will be billed for the additional amount. When the actual amount of the fee is less than your deposit check, you will receive a refund with your affidavit.

Please contact our office for writ of execution instructions.

If you have any questions, please call the sheriff's office civil division at 218-927-7431. Thank you.

911 Frequently Asked Questions:

Who answers 9-1-1 calls?
What should I do if I accidentally call 911?
When should I call 9-1-1?
What type of information should I give to 9-1-1?
Why am I asked to give directions on a 9-1-1 call?
If I call 9-1-1 on a cellular telephone, will I be found?
If it is not an emergency, should I call 9-1-1?
Can I talk to the Sheriff if I call 9-1-1?
If someone is knocking on my door asking to call the police, must I let them in?
Where do I get my 911 address?
Will my cellphone work in Aitkin County?
Is it true that I can call 9-1-1 from any disconnected telephone?
Why does it take so long for a deputy to respond to my call?
Will the dispatcher help in medical situations?
I was treated rudely by the dispatcher, what can I do?

Who answers 9-1-1 calls?

In Aitkin County, Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers answer all 9-1-1 calls whether it is a wired or cellular telephone. Should the call require contact with another agency we will transfer your call to the proper agency. If you are on or near the border with another county there is a chance your call will be answered by another agency, please explain your location and you will be transferred to us.

What should I do if I accidentally call 911?

Do not hang up. Allow the dispatcher to answer and explain it was an accidental call. We are obligated by law to call back and confirm there was no emergency. If we have are unable to contact the caller but have an accurate location, law enforcement will respond.

When should I call 9-1-1?

There are many good reasons to use 9-1-1:
For emergencies.
You are unsure about your location.
You do not know the non-emergency number.
You are in doubt if an incident is an emergency.

What type of information should I give to 9-1-1?

Every call is different, simply follow the questions the dispatcher asks. Be ready to provide:
WHERE you are.
WHAT happened.
WHO is involved.
HOW and WHY it happened.
And other specific questions such as weapons involved, vehicles involved and direction of travel, if they left the scene, descriptions of people involved, etc.
The most important thing in these situations is to remain calm and clear to the dispatcher so she or he can send you the help you need.

Why am I asked to give directions on a 9-1-1 call?

9-1-1 information is drawn from telephone company databases and from location information sent by a cellular telephone. As with any computerized system, errors do occur. Dispatchers ask for directions to confirm what they are seeing on their displays.

If I call 9-1-1 on a cellular telephone, will I be found?

Most cellular telephones made after 2006 have locating technology built into them. If conditions are good, we will get a location within 100 yards of your location. Being indoors, in a densely forested area, or on the edge of reception will affect accuracy of the locating system. Be prepared to talk about how you walked to where you are if you are in a wilderness area.

If it is not an emergency, should I call 9-1-1?

If you need law enforcement, fire or EMS, call 9-1-1. If you are calling for administrative units or follow-up to an emergency call, you will have to use the non- emergency numbers, 927-7435 or 888-900-2138.

Can I talk to the Sheriff if I call 9-1-1?

No, you must use the non-emergency numbers to contact the sheriff.

If someone is knocking on my door asking to call the police, must I let them in?

Minnesota Statute §609.78 states you must not interfere with anyone wishing to call 9-1-1. If you feel there could be imminent danger to yourself, do not allow the person in but call 9-1-1 immediately and let us know what is occurring. If you do allow the victim shelter while waiting for emergency services, be sure to let the dispatcher know where the incident is occurring and where we can find the victim.

Where do I get my 911 address?

Contact our Administrative Office at 218-927-7431 to start the process of getting your 9-1-1 address.

Will my cellphone work in Aitkin County?

You must contact your provider to find out. Keep in mind that much of Aitkin County is densely forested and distance from cellphone towers will affect your phone’s performance. In many areas, walking to a clearing or higher ground can solve lack of reception.

Is it true that I can call 9-1-1 from any disconnected telephone?

For most providers, that is true. The sheriff's office recommends that you do not give old phones to children as toys. If the batteries are charged, the phone will call 9-1-1 if it receives a signal the phone company does not recognize, if we can not get verbal confirmation there is not a problem and we do get a valid location on the phone, we will send law enforcement.

Why does it take so long for a deputy to respond to my call?

The Communications Center prioritizes all incoming calls to the center. We pride ourselves on our generally fast response times to all calls, but at peak times the priority system will affect our response time. Simply put our priorities are as follows:
“In progress” threat of injury or to life.
“In progress” threat to property.
Credible threats to life or property that have not occurred.
“After the fact” type incidents.
Other public safety incidents.

Will the dispatcher help in medical situations?

At this time, the communications center cannot assist with medical instructions over the telephone, we will send you first responders and an ambulance.

I was treated rudely by the dispatcher, what can I do?

The staff of the communications center attempts to deal with every call in a courteous manner. Due to the nature of emergency situations, our staff attempts to get the information required to locate you and determine the proper response in as short a time as possible. Some emergencies do require a more assertive approach to gain the information. If you feel that your call was not handled appropriately, you may contact Patrice Erickson or Undersheriff Heidi Lenk.

Dispatch Center

Sheriff:  Dan Guida
Program Coordinator:  Patrice Erickson

6 Dispatchers work in the communications center which operates as Aitkin County's Public Safety Answering Point. We receive all 9-1-1 calls in Aitkin County, determine the response required and send the appropriate agencies.

In addition to the county deputies, we dispatch:

The 9-1-1 Communication Center is also:

9-1-1 FAQ Page

Emergency Management

Sheriff: Dan Guida

Emergency management is the planning arm of the Sheriff's Office for countywide disaster situations.

Emergency Management encourages the public to plan for potential disaster that could occur in your neighborhood. Practice home evacuations in case of fire or carbon monoxide emergency, purchase a NOAA weather radio for local weather advisories and put together a disaster kit for short notice evacuation.

In the event of a countywide disaster, please check radio and TV resources for most current information.

Links for more information:
(External links are for informational purposes only, Aitkin County is not responsible for information contained on those sites):

Patrol and Criminal Investigation Unit

Sheriff: Dan Guida
Undersheriff: Heidi Lenk

17 deputies and investigators make up the Patrol and Criminal Investigation Units of the Aitkin County Sheriff's Office. Through regular patrols of the county and dispatches sent by the 9-1-1 communications center, our deputies assist the public in law enforcement matters and other general public safety situations.

The criminal investigation unit provides services in the areas of child abuse, vulnerable adult maltreatment, welfare fraud, and major case investigations.

The Boat and Water Patrol encourages boating safety through regular patrols of Aitkin County lakes and rivers and maintenance of channel and obstruction buoys.

The Canine Unit provides contraband searches for drug and other investigations.
Our deputies also participate in regional drug and gang task forces.

Patrol Frequently Asked Questions

Patrol Division - Frequently Asked Questions

Why does it take so long for a deputy to respond to my call?
Can I repair the damage to my property?
I am out of the area, can I report a crime?
Why can’t the Sheriff's Office help me in a property or child custody dispute?
What can I do if my identity has been stolen?
What can I do about harassment?
I am being pulled over; can I wait for a safe place?
What can the Sheriff's Office do about loose animals?
Can I report something anonymously?
What should I do if I see a crime in progress?
What can I do to prevent a burglary?
What can I do if I have a complaint against a deputy?

Why does it take so long for a deputy to respond to my call?

The Communications Center prioritizes all incoming calls to the center. We pride ourselves on our generally fast response times to all calls, but at peak times the priority system will affect our response time. Simply put our priorities are as follows:

1.  "In progress" threat of injury or to life.
2.  "In progress" threat to property.
3.  Credible threats to life or property that have not occurred.
4.  "After the fact" type incidents.
5.  Other public safety incidents.

Can I repair the damage to my property?

Attempt to leave any damage to your property in an as found condition. This allows our deputies to photograph any marks left by a suspect.

I am out of the area, can I report a crime?

The Sheriff's Office is aware that many properties in Aitkin County are seasonal and sometimes your neighbor will call owners to report break-ins. We will respond to document damage as a result of entry but are unable to document missing property. Property owners are expected to provide a list of missing items due to burglary.

Why can't the Sheriff's Office help me in a property or child custody dispute?

By law, the Sheriff's Office can only enforce laws enacted by the stateor county and the decisions of the courts. Disputes between parties mustbe settled through the court system and then enforced by the Sheriff's Office.

What can I do if my identity has been stolen?

1.  Cancel your credit and debt cards.
2.  Contact banks and credit unions where you have accounts.
3.  Contact credit bureaus.

What can I do about harassment?

Contact the Sheriff's Office to begin a report to document the incident. We may suggest to apply for a Harassment Restraining Order or Order for Protection. If you feel that you or your family is in serious danger, find a trusted friend or family member you can stay with or contact the Aitkin Advocates Against Domestic Abuse at 218-927-2723.

I am being pulled over; can I wait for a safe place?

You should pullover at the FIRST possible safe place. A safe place is defined as a portion or the road that allows you to pull out of the travel lane on to the shoulder of the road. We do not advocate waiting for a well lit area due to the rural nature of our county.

What can the Sheriff's Office do about loose animals?

There are NO animal control ordinances in Aitkin County. We will make an effort to contact the owner of the animal, but we can not pickup strays. In the case of threatening behavior by dogs, the dangerous dog statutes will apply and action will occur.

Can I report something anonymously?

Of course, though we may ask you to leave your name and contact number for follow-up. We never release the name of an informant to the public until such time as court proceedings occur.

What should I do if I see a crime in progress?

Do not attempt to stop the incident. Call 9-1-1 and report the incident. Remember, descriptions of the people involved, clothing, weapons or vehicles involved and direction of travel if they left. If the dispatcher must disconnect, call back to add more information, if you see something more.

What can I do to prevent a burglary?

Most burglars can and will enter buildings no matter how secure they are. Property owners can minimize their losses with some fairly simple planning:

1.  Develop relationships with your neighbors; they are by far the biggest deterrent to burglaries.
2.  Remove all items of value from a building which will remain vacant for a period of time.
3.  Do not leave in a visible location any recreational equipment, ATV's, snowmobiles, boats or cars.
4.  Close all shades and curtains to prevent someone from looking in your house.

What can I do if I have a complaint against a deputy?

The Sheriff expects professional and courteous behavior from his staff. The reality of law enforcement is that the public expectations and the legal expectations of the office may not be one and the same. If you have comments or concerns about how the staff treated you or your case, please contact Sheriff Dan Guida or Undersheriff Heidi Lenk.