Sheriff’s Office Earns Communications Accreditation

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has achieved national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in its Communications program. This recognition comes after the 911 Communications Center met more than 200 professionally recognized standards aimed at excellence in management and service delivery.

Sheriff Will Akin praised the dispatch staff for their commitment, emphasizing their role as the first responders and highlighting the accreditation as a reflection of their professionalism and dedication to the community. The rigorous accreditation process included a multi-year self-assessment, a thorough site-based review by CALEA assessors, and an evaluation of community engagement, policies, procedures, equipment, and facilities.

Last week, dispatch leaders and accreditation staff presented their case at the CALEA conference in Tucson, Arizona. On March 14, the agency appeared before CALEA’s 21-member Board of Commissioners, who awarded the Sheriff’s Office full accreditation in Communications that evening.

CALEA President Matthew Packard noted that the path to accreditation is challenging, requiring agencies to undergo detailed reviews and implement significant policy changes. He added that the process is ongoing, as accredited agencies must continually demonstrate adherence to CALEA’s high standards. Packard assured that communities served by CALEA-accredited agencies can trust their public safety organizations to operate under the highest standards.

With this achievement, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office now holds CALEA accreditation for both communications and law enforcement, as well as Tier 1 accreditation from the National Institute of Jail Operations.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Sheriff’s Office launches Special Victims Unit

To manage an increasing caseload of sexual crimes – especially internet crimes against children – the Clay County Sheriff’s Office has implemented a Special Victims Unit.

“Sex crimes are investigations that require highly skilled and dedicated investigators who can be solely focused on that discipline,” Investigations Division Captain Chris Johnson said. “By dedicating people to train in and have a solid understanding of sex crime case law, statutes and investigative analysis, it will make for better outcomes for victims.”

The new Special Victims Unit consists of a sergeant and detective. While they will investigate all sex-related crimes, a majority of their caseload is composed of child sexual abuse material cases. These ICAC (internet crimes against children) investigations require detectives trained and certified in specialty investigative techniques, and only a few agencies in Clay County have them. The Sheriff’s Office takes on cases for jurisdictions who do not have certified ICAC investigators.

ICAC tips typically come from internet service providers, photo hosting sites or social media or messaging platforms that detect child sexual abuse material. Those tips go to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which then distributes them to local jurisdictions like the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for investigation. The Special Victims Unit executed two search warrants last month in regard to these cases, and investigation is ongoing.

Due to the material to which they will be exposed, Special Victims Unit investigators will meet quarterly with a mental health clinician.

Sergeant Jeremy Fahrmeier will oversee the new unit.

“These types of investigations are critical,” Sergeant Fahrmeier said. “We have a lot of work to do and will be working very hard to remove the predators in our community to create a safer environment for our children and the public.”

KPGZ News - Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.

Sheriff Refutes Viral ICE Raid Reports as Fake

Clay County Sheriff Will Akin has debunked recent social media reports claiming that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were conducting door-to-door operations in the Kansas City Northland area in January 2026, labeling the claims as false and based on altered images.

Sheriff Akin responded after a series of photos began circulating online, causing widespread concern among local residents. According to Akin, a thorough review was conducted in coordination with local and federal law enforcement partners. “There was no law enforcement activity in the area at the alleged time,” he confirmed. A spokesperson from the Gladstone Police Department also stated that their officers had not been notified of any such ICE activity, nor had they witnessed anything unusual during patrols.

Akin expressed skepticism over the authenticity of the photos fueling the rumors. He detailed a list of discrepancies, including the presence of light bars on vehicles that were supposed to be unmarked, police-style wheels without proper markings, and untinted front windows—an uncommon feature for interceptor-style SUVs.

He also noted inconsistencies in uniforms, pointing out that while some individuals displayed badges and shoulder patches, others did not, making it unlikely they belonged to the same agency. The sheriff further highlighted that the location of vehicles changed between photos, and the images were posted simultaneously, suggesting potential manipulation. “Pictures were posted at the same time with urgency. Surely the vehicles didn’t move that quickly,” Akin remarked.

Additional red flags included the lack of snow on the ground, despite single-digit temperatures in the area, and the absence of cold-weather gear on some individuals in the pictures. Operations of this nature, Akin explained, typically involve more than four people, whereas only four individuals appeared in the images. There was also no corroboration from neighbors or any other eyewitnesses on the street.

In his official social media statement, Sheriff Akin addressed the anxiety caused by the viral posts: “I’ve seen the pictures circulating online that have caused major concern in our community. I understand why images like these can create anxiety, especially when there’s uncertainty about who is involved and why.”

He called on residents to pause before sharing unconfirmed claims and to rely only on verified information from trusted sources. “Our community is strongest when we look out for one another and respond with facts, calm, and care,” he added.

Sheriff Akin also invited the original poster or anyone with direct knowledge of the alleged incident to come forward so he could investigate further and provide a transparent report. Until then, he emphasized, the claims remain unsubstantiated and should not be a source of fear in the community.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Deputies to brighten Christmas for 39 children

Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies will help 39 deserving children have a fantastic holiday during their annual Shop with a Sheriff event Sunday.

Deputies will shop with the children Dec. 14 at the Wal-Mart at 8301 N. Church Rd., Kansas City, Mo. One half of the children will shop at 9 a.m., with the second half at 9:45 a.m. Families were identified to participate through counselors and social workers in North Kansas City Schools, where the Sheriff’s Office provides school resource deputies.

Each child will get $250 to purchase gifts for themselves and their loved ones. This is a $50 increase over last year, thanks to generous donors. Sheriff’s Office volunteers will be on hand to wrap the gifts. Shop with a Sheriff is funded by grants, public donations and donations that Sheriff’s Office employees make to be able to sport beards or small nose rings throughout the year. 

KPGZ News - Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.

Clay County Opens Law Enforcement Resource Center

Clay County marked a milestone with the official opening of its new Law Enforcement Resource Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance training for Sheriff’s Office staff and local partner agencies. The center, located at 16414 N.E. 116th St. in Kearney, is the county’s first major law enforcement construction project in 25 years, following the expansion of the Clay County Detention Center in 2000.

The $8 million project was made possible through federal grants, including significant support from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. Piper-Wind Architects, Inc. led the design, and Straub Construction LLC served as the general contractor.

Law enforcement personnel will benefit from the facility’s advanced amenities, including a 10-lane indoor shooting range, a classroom with capacity for up to 64 participants, and dedicated spaces for defensive tactics and decision-making training. The center also features cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality technology, providing officers with comprehensive preparation for the evolving needs of the county’s growing community.

To celebrate the grand opening, county employees, elected officials, and representatives from local law enforcement agencies toured the new training center, while over 40 neighboring residents received a preview during a special event the previous evening. The resource center is expected to help Sheriff’s Office staff meet rigorous training requirements and maintain readiness to serve Clay County effectively.

The Law Enforcement Resource Center stands as a significant investment in public safety and officer preparedness, reflecting Clay County’s commitment to supporting law enforcement and adapting to the demands of a growing population.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.