The Sheriff is the highest local police officer in the county and referred by the courts as the “Chief Law Enforcement Officer of His Bailiwick”. The Sheriff is elected to a four year term in office.

The Sheriff’s Office is currently comprised of 12 full time Deputy Sheriffs, an Administrative Assistant and 1 department clerk. In addition to this, there is an appointed Chief Deputy Sheriff. The Sheriff’s Office is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for contact through the Venango County 911 Center, which dispatches the appropriate law enforcement agency for emergency calls.

The principle duties of Deputy Sheriffs are as follows:

• Deputy Sheriffs have onview arrest authorities.

• Perform courthouse/courtroom security.

• Serve all warrants, including bench warrants, domestic relations warrants and district court warrants.

• Serve all civil process issued through the Court of Common Pleas and the District Judges’ Offices, and other county and state civil courts.

• Conduct personal property sheriff sales.

• Conduct Real Estate Sheriff sales.

• Transport prisoners on a routine basis and by court order.

• Investigate criminal acts taking place on county property, including assaults, burglaries and thefts.

• Transport mentally ill patients by court order to other facilities.

• Enforce court orders to assist other county agencies such as Children and Youth Services and the juvenile court system.

• Serve and enforce protection from abuse orders.

• Enforce the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code and Crimes Code.

• Conduct background checks as part of the process of issuing Licenses to Carry Firearms.

In addition to the Deputy Sheriffs’ duties, the clerical staff performs the following:

• Prepare all civil processes and returns of service, such as complaints, protection from abuse orders, mortgage foreclosures.

• Prepare all warrants for service.

• Prepare subpoenas and returns of service.

• Conduct real and personal property sales.

• Issue Licenses to Carry Firearms, Licenses to Sell Firearms, and Licenses to   Buy/Sell Precious Metals.

Finally, the Sheriff conducts the following public safety programs:

• Firearms Safety

• Senior Citizen Protection

• Business Security

• Drug Prevention

• Instruction in the use of ASP Baton, OC Spray and other numerous police oriented seminars.

License to Carry Firearms
(Concealment Permit)
If you are interested in applying for a concealment permit, please read the following guidelines and procedure:

1. You must be 21 years of age or older.

2. You must fill out the application in its entirety with current and accurate information.

3. On the application, you must provide (2) character references (NOT FAMILY MEMBERS). List their names, addresses and telephone numbers.  Your references will be contacted.

4. The Sheriff’s Office recommends that your picture be displayed on the permit, however, this is optional.  You may provide your own picture (two current head-shots 1" x 1" in size or the Sheriff’s Office may take your picture for an extra fee of $3.00.

5. After filling out the application, please read statement #41 and sign and date the front of the application when you bring it in.

6. Return to our office with a check, money order or cash for $25.00 ($28.00 if the Sheriff's Office will be taking your picture) and your driver's license/photo ID.

IF ANY OF THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT COMPLETED, THE APPLICATION WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU.

NOTE:     Processing of this application may take up to 45 days and may require an interview with a Deputy Sheriff, which will also include a basic background investigation. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Venango County Sheriff’s Office at 814-432-9565.