Sheriff Ayers was elected is November 2023 and began his term in 2024. He can be reached at
The primary responsibility of the Crime Prevention Unit is to assist the citizens of Amherst County in conducting their daily activities in a safe and secure manner. They provide training and advice on how to best avoid becoming a victim of crime. Some of these prevention efforts include crime prevention training and lectures, business and home security surveys, and our Drug and Gang Awareness Programs. Crime Prevention also has numerous programs set up for child identification kits, child seat installation procedures, and neighborhood watch functions.
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School Resource Officer Program
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DARE |
| Explorer Post | Crime Stoppers |
| Project Lifesaver | Child Safety Seats |
Crime Stoppers of Central Virginia is a regional non-profit corporation that pays up to $1,000.00 for tips that solve crimes. The program is run by area citizens and not by law enforcement officials. Callers are not asked their names, and the phone lines are not traced nor is caller ID used. When you call the tip-line you are given a special code number, and this number is the only identification given to the information provided. If the information is authorized for payment of a reward, the number is advertised on local television and newspapers and you will be asked to call the tip-line again. After verification of the information is made, a payment location would then be arranged and one of the board of directors would meet you with the payment, again nothing would be recorded. This program has assisted in clearing many felonies since it's inception.
The Amherst County Sheriff's Office is continuously accepting applications for the position of full-time Field Deputy. Salary starts at $45,190 for full-time (no certification). Benefits include participation in the Virginia Retirement System, generous leave package, and subsidized health insurance.
Applicants must be 21 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, a valid Virginia operator's license, successfully complete a polygraph examination, and submit to an extensive background investigation.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS
- Operates a patrol vehicle to observe for violations of laws, suspicious activities or persons and disturbances; responds to calls for service; investigates crimes and accidents; makes arrests; testifies in court
- Performs assigned court service and security duties; operates metal detector; executes judge’s orders and direction
- Transports prisoners, detainees, mental patients, etc. to appointments, court, etc. as assigned
- Interviews victims and witnesses; secures property and evidence
- Prepares detailed reports on activities and assignments
- Serves civil process and criminal arrest warrants and a variety of other court papers and directions
- Performs various K-9 related duties; cares for assigned animal; searches vehicles; tracks suspects
- Performs various school resource duties; works with teenagers, parents and school officials; presents programs at high school
- Performs various inmate detention and security duties; supervises trustees; transports inmates to and from court
- May be required to be on-call
- Performs related tasks as required
Applications may be picked up in person OR downloaded here.
The Drug Hotline
The Amherst County Sheriff's Office Drug Hotline is available 24 hours a day. The phone line is secure and there is NO caller I.D. on this phone. The drug investigators are the only persons who have access to it. This assures that you remain completely anonymous (unknown). You do not have to give your name or address when calling this number. Just leave as much information as possible about the activity occurring. Should you WANT to leave your information then please feel free to do so. However, this phone line is setup for those that DO NOT want their identities known. The Sheriff's Office respects those wishes and would like to thank anyone that has provided any information to us in the past. Without you, the concerned citizen, we would not be nearly as successful in our investigations. We look forward to hearing from you. Remember to leave enough information on the activity so proper attention can be given to your complaint.
Please call us if you have any information about suspected drug activity!
The Virginia Sex Offender Registry is updated and managed by the Virginia State Police. The information on the site may not be accurate at the moment. The site is updated often, but a data gap is possible. The information contained in the registry is for informative purposes only.
The Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry program is statutorily provided through Chapter 9 of Title 9.1 of the Code of Virginia.
The United States Department of Justice controls the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website. It is a coordinated, cooperative effort between jurisdictions in all 50 states, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the District of Columbia, and participating tribes with the federal government.
The National Sex Offender Registry is operated by Family WatchDog, a private organization. This site has several useful links. Once you enter an address, it will provide you with a map and a list of the offenders in the area.
Upcoming Events (click here)
Forms & Informational Items
Used to either formally commend a deputy or to file a formal complaint.
(Please either: type to fill out and print, or print and fill out legibly with a pen. Upon printing, please sign and date, and either mail or submit in person your form to the Amherst County Sheriff's Office.)
Eviction Procedures
Freedom of Information Act Request -
Fingerprinting
The Amherst County Sheriff's Office will provide fingerprinting to the general public on Mondays (except observed holidays) from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the Amherst County Courthouse. It is suggested that you call ahead to ensure the staffing is available to provide this service. The fingerprinting fee for Amherst County residents (ID is required to prove residency) is $5.00 and the fee for non-residents is $10.00. The fee must be paid at the Sheriff's Office prior to fingerprinting. If you have any questions please contact us 434-946-9379.
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More Information
Contact Us
- Phone: (434) 946-9381
- Fax: (434) 946-9380
- Staff Directory
- Office Hours:
Business Hours: M-F 0830-1700
