Montgomery County, PA

Court House, 1st Floor P.O. Box 311 Norristown, PA 19404 Driving Directions Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Open Records Main: (610) 278-3331 Fax: (610) 278-3832 sheriffoffice@montcopa.org About the Department Eileen Whalon Behr, Sheriff Montgomery County Sheriff's Department Court House, 1st Floor P.O. Box 311 Norristown, PA 19404-0311 (610)278-3331   The Office of Sheriff in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is authorized and established by the Constitution of 1784 and the current revisions under which our State Government now operates. This Constitution provides that a Sheriff shall be elected in each county for a four year term, and that her powers, duties and compensation be prescribed by law. The first election of a Sheriff in Montgomery County was held in 1789, and regular elections have been held every four years since that time.   The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the County under the Pennsylvania Constitution. While most police work is now done by local and state police, the Sheriff's broad powers authorize her and her deputies to enforce the law.   The Sheriff is called upon during riots, prison breaches, strikes and other emergencies which are or may be a breach of the peace. In those instances, she is empowered to call upon all able-bodied adults.   Among the duties of the Sheriff are service of all writs both criminal and civil issued by the Courts. Transportation of prisoners throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and extradictions from other states for the purpose of court proceedings. The Sheriff also issues permits for firearms and conducts sale of real and personal property at the request of litigants, including the city, county and state. Other duties and services available from the sheriff department include bomb disposal unit, (C.E.R.T.) County Emergency Response Team, the operation of five (5) Driving Under the Influence Processing Centers, "TRIAD" program for senior citizens as well as the well known D.A.R.E. program for school children and major sponsor of Camp Cadet for boys and girls 11-14 years of age.   Sheriff Eileen Whalon Behr Eileen Whalon Behr of Lafayette Hill, PA was appointed to fill the position of Montgomery County Sheriff in May 2011. She is the first woman to hold the position of Sheriff for Montgomery County. Sheriff Behr attended LaSalle University, Montgomery County Community College, and Mainline Paralegal Institute. She is certified under the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Training Program. She is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy, Session #209. From 1976 to March 2011, Sheriff Behr was a member of the Whitemarsh Township Police Department, Montgomery County, PA.  She started her career as a police dispatcher.  Over the next 34 years, Sheriff Behr worked in various divisions and specialized areas, including: Traffic and Accident Unit, Detectives, Juvenile Division and served as a negotiator for the tactical team.  In 2003, she was appointed Chief of the Department. She was the first female to serve as a Chief of Police in Montgomery County.  In addition to duties as Chief of Police, she was the Assistant Emergency Management Director and a member of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force. Under her command, the Whitemarsh Police Department became a fully accredited police agency and the department started their first K-9 unit and first motorcycle unit. Sheriff Behr is a member of the Management Board for “Mission Kids”, the Montgomery County Child Advocacy Center.  She also serves on the Criminal Justice Advisory Board for Montgomery County Community College and the Montgomery County Municipal Police Training Program. She is a certified instructor for the Municipal Police Officer Training Program. As Chief of Police, she served as liaison to the District Attorney’s School Safety Committee for the Montgomery Chiefs of Police. She is a former President and Board member for the Whitemarsh Police Association.  The Sheriff’s career has focused on service to the community and collaboration with local organizations and neighboring communities to achieve positive results by being proactive in community relations and public education. Among her many accomplishments, Sheriff Behr is married and a mother of three children.  Chief Deputy Alfred J. Ricci                       The Staff There are 129 staff members in the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department, including Deputy Sheriffs, Administrative Personnel and Clerical Staff.