The Watch Command Bureau oversees the day to day law enforcement activities of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.  A Watch Commander, who holds the rank of Captain, is responsible for the shift of deputies who answer a citizen’s call. A sector Sergeant oversees the immediate supervision of each deputy assigned to the district within their sector.  Sergeants provide direction to the deputies, assist with calls and review and approve all reports submitted by the deputies.

Each quarter, the Sheriff, Chief’s of Staff and Bureau Command staff meet with each of the Watch Commanders and Sector Sergeants in an Operation Status (OPSTAT) meeting to review and compare each of the shifts.  This analysis allows the staff to identify any crime trends and compare response times, calls for service, uses of force and any other issues faced by deputies.
           
The Watch Command Bureau also supervises:

• The Aviation Unit
•  The K-9 Unit
• The Fugitive Unit
• The Warrants Unit
• The Traffic Unit
• The Training Division
• Special Details
• The Communication Center

Special call out teams that are also supervised by the Watch Command Bureau are:

• S.W.A.T.
• Hostage Negotiations
• Underwater Recovery Team
• Bomb Squad Team
• Field Force Team
• Honor Guard Team
• Mounted Unit
• Citizen Support Unit
• Reserve Unit

After serving four years in the United States Air Force as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist (EOD), Jerry was hired by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office as a dispatcher. He later became a patrol deputy. In 1986 Jerry was hired by the Marion County Sheriff's Office as a Patrol Deputy. Since 1986, he has served in a multitude of capacities; Sheriff's Bomb Squad, Traffic Unit, Field Training Officer, K-9 Handler, SWAT, DARE Officer, Patrol Sergeant, District Lieutenant for Silver Springs Shores, Orange Lake, Northwest, North Marion, and Silver Springs Districts. He served as the Public Information Officer (PIO), Captain/Patrol Commander, Captain/Quadrant Commander, Captain/Fugitive Unit, Assistant Bureau Chief/Corrections, and his position as the Major/Bureau Chief for the Watch Command Bureau. Jerry has an Associates of Arts Degree from Lake City Community College, Bachelor of Arts and his Master of Science Degree from the University of Saint Leo. He is also a graduate of Command Officer Management School from Saint Leo University.

Robert began his career with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in 1986 as a Patrol Deputy. He worked his way through the ranks as a Field Training Officer, Property Crimes Detective, Major Crimes Detective, Property Crimes Sergeant, Patrol Sergeant, Lieutenant/District Commander, Captain/Quadrant Commander, Captain/Patrol Watch Commander, to his current position as the Assistant Bureau Chief of the Watch Command Bureau. Robert also served on the Underwater Recovery Team for 8 years. In 2001 he graduated from the Administrative Officers Management Program (AOMP) at North Carolina State University. He has an Associate Degree and a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University.

Thank you for taking the time to view our Bureau page. Please continue to check back as we update the information you find here.

Sincerely,
Major Jerry Craig
Bureau Chief