By Alex Lane -

The Amador County Sheriff’s Office has released its first annual report highlighting the department’s accomplishments during 2007. “I am convinced that upon reading this report you will be impressed as I have been with the quality of the 116 men and women who dedicate themselves every day to provide protection and security to the citizens of Amador County,” Sheriff Martin Ryan said. The report details the inner workings of the office and the duties of its many divisions. These include an Executive Division consisting of the Office of Emergency Services and a Crime Analysis Unit; an Operations Division consisting of the Coroner, Investigations and Patrol Bureau; a Court Services Division; and a number of special units. The special units frequently make headlines in Amador County through high profile drug busts and search and rescue operations. 2007 saw the creation of the first county-specific multi-agency narcotics task force named the Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team. This is the most significant move in the history of Amador County toward combating the most prevalent local law enforcement issue. A restructuring for efficiency led to a new Administration Bureau, two new Lieutenant’s positions, and a first-ever Correctional Lieutenant position. Ryan believes that the many changes that occurred over the past year have enhanced his office’s ability to do its job better. The report also includes a budget breakdown. In 2007, 16 percent, or 69,995 dollars of Amador County’s budget went to the Sheriff’s Office. Of that, 58 percent was used for Operations and Administration and 28 percent went toward the jail. Ryan and his staff have been vocal in public meetings about what they see as a much needed “replacement for our outdated and overcrowded jail.” Although the report does not address this issue in detail, the need for a new jail has become the Sheriff’s top priority.