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The Covington County Sheriff’s Office will be working with other law enforcement to create a Criminal Interdiction Unit.

“With assistance from the Drug Enforcement Agency, we, along with other agencies, have entered into an agreement to provide more criminal interdiction to our community,” said Covington County Sheriff Blake Turman.

Through the combined effort, the sheriff’s office will be able to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies on a much broader scale, according to Turman.

“The DEA will provide the Covington County Sheriff’s Office with much needed additional funding for salary costs and vehicle expenses associated with our participation. This additional funding will allow for our budgeted dollars to be stretched further and provide better services to Covington County,” he said. 

The participation in the Criminal Interdiction Unit (CIU) will also allow more time for sworn officers to respond to calls faster while enforcing state and federal law.

“Although the CIU is in its infancy, the officers on the unit are veteran interdiction officers with over 50 years of on-the-job experience.  Both are seasoned and familiar with procedure and enforcement.  I am proud to have them and look forward to seeing this program increase public safety in Covington County,” Turman said.