Washoe County Sherriff

What Washoe County Sherriff does

Washoe County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is a county-level government law enforcement agency headquartered at 911 Parr Blvd, Reno, Nevada, providing public safety services to approximately 100,000+ residents across 6,608 square miles of unincorporated Washoe County and partner jurisdictions including Lake Tahoe's Incline Village/Crystal Bay area. Established in 1861, the agency operates a unified platform of interconnected divisions: Patrol, Criminal Investigations (financial crimes, ICAC, domestic violence), Detention (the sole adult pretrial facility accepting detainees from 30+ law enforcement agencies, ~1,085 average daily inmates), Special Operations (SWAT, K-9, Bomb Squad, RAVEN aviation, Marine 9, hostage negotiation), Search and Rescue (one of fewer than 80 MRA-accredited teams in North America), and specialized units (RSONU managing ~1,400 sex offenders; HERO human trafficking unit; forensic science; cyber crimes).

WCSO's technology architecture combines traditional law enforcement infrastructure with selected deployed modules: Tiburon records management for inmate classification, OffenderWatch for sex offender tracking, IBIS ballistic testing (ATF integration), FLIR/Churchill ARS-equipped aviation assets, RayMarine/SirenMarine-equipped marine vessels, and notably first-in-Nevada ZeroEyes AI gun detection (March 2026) and DataWorks Plus facial recognition deployed through a regional Real-Time Information Center. Jail-based THRIVE mental health competency treatment (Feb 2026) extends the agency's correctional health capabilities via NaphCare partnership.

The agency's revenue model is fundamentally tax-funded via Washoe County general fund appropriations, supplemented by grant revenue ($15M Nevada DHS for mental health, $436K State Homeland Security Program for ICE facility work, federal grant-funded facial recognition), fees-for-service (forensic lab contracts with other law enforcement agencies at $100/hr testimony, $25-$100 per toxicology test, forensic CD/image fees), permit/license fees (CCW, liquor, locksmith, fingerprints, business licenses - often multi-year), and managed services revenue from the 30-year federal ICE detention partnership. Customer segments include county residents (primary), justice-involved individuals (detention), regional law enforcement partners (Reno PD, Sparks PD, FBI, DEA, DHS), federal partners (ICE), healthcare partners (NaphCare), and technology vendors (ZeroEyes, DataWorks Plus). Sales motion is direct-to-public-service delivery via headquarters, substations, online portals, and community engagement programs.

Name

Washoe County Sherriff

Legal name

Washoe County Sheriff's Office

Website

https://washoesheriff.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1861

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Washoe County Sheriff's Office is a county government law enforcement agency founded in 1861, providing patrol, detention, investigations, special operations, search and rescue, and forensic services to 100,000+ residents across 6,608 square miles of unincorporated Washoe County, Nevada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Law Enforcement Services

NAICS

Police Protection (922120), Correctional Institutions (922140)

SIC

Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)

akta.pro primary industry

Police Services (Patrol, Response & Community Policing) (BPAIAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Correctional Facility Operations (Prisons & Jails) (BPAKANAA)

Keywords

• Law enforcement services
• Adult detention facilities
• Search and rescue
• Forensic science services
• Public safety patrol

Headquarters

HQ city

Reno

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Tax Funding: Primary funding from Washoe County taxpayer allocations and general fund. Government appropriation for law enforcement services covering patrol, detention, investigations, and special operations.
2. Forensic Services Fees: Fee-based forensic science services contracted to other law enforcement agencies. Annual contracts (Option A full service or Option B excluding crime scene) plus pay-per-service options. Laboratory, toxicology, and testimony services invoiced separately.
3. Permit and License Fees: Fees collected for work permits (liquor, locksmith, peddler/solicitor), concealed weapons permits (CCW), business licenses, criminal history requests, fingerprints, and other administrative services.
4. ICE Detention Services: Partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for federal detainee housing during transfers. Receives State Homeland Security Program grant funding ($436,000) for facility upgrades.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office provides comprehensive law enforcement, adult detention, civil process, forensic science, records, and community safety services to the residents and visitors of Washoe County, Nevada. The agency operates patrol operations across 6,700+ square miles, runs the Washoe County Detention Facility (1,085 average daily inmates from 30+ agencies), and delivers specialized services including SWAT, K-9, RAVEN Aviation, Marine 9, consolidated bomb squad, search and rescue, sex offender notification, and forensic laboratory analysis. It also offers administrative services such as concealed weapons permits, work permits, criminal history requests, civil process, and online crime reporting.

Product overview

Washoe County Sheriff's Office provides comprehensive law enforcement and public safety services to Washoe County, Nevada. The agency operates as a unified platform of interconnected products and services organized into core operational divisions including Patrol Services (covering over 6,700 square miles), Criminal Investigation/D detectives Services, Detention Facility Operations (adult detention with approximately 1,085 average daily inmate population), Special Operations Division (SWAT, K-9, Bomb Squad, Hostage Negotiations, RAVEN Aviation), Search and Rescue Unit, and specialized units including RSONU (sex offender management via OffenderWatch), HERO (human trafficking), Financial Crimes, and ICAC (internet crimes against children). Supporting technology modules include ZeroEyes AI gun detection, DataWorks Plus facial recognition, Tiburon records management, IBIS ballistic testing, FLIR/augmented reality mapping on aircraft, and RayMarine navigation on Marine vessels. The agency also provides inmate services through work programs, counseling, medical care (via NaphCare), and the THRIVE competency treatment program. Community engagement is delivered through volunteer programs, Citizen Advisory Boards, CERT training, and outreach events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Law Enforcement Patrol Services Core patrol services providing law enforcement duties within the unincorporated area of Washoe County, covering over 6,700 square miles including response to calls for service, traffic enforcement, and community policing.
• Criminal Investigation / Detectives Services Felony and gross misdemeanor investigations including Crimes Against Persons, Crimes Against Children, Domestic Violence, Property Crimes, and specialized units for Financial Crimes and Internet Crimes Against Children.
• Adult Detention Facility Operations Adult detention facility operations at Washoe County Detention Facility accepting detainees from over 30 law enforcement agencies. Includes inmate management, classification, medical care, video arraignment, and work programs.
• Special Operations Division Specialized tactical and operational units including SWAT, K-9 Unit, Consolidated Bomb Squad, Hostage Negotiations Team, RAVEN aviation unit, and Regional Gang Unit.
• Search and Rescue Services All-volunteer, Mountain Rescue Association accredited search and rescue organization responding to approximately 100 missions per year across 6,608 square miles. Includes Land, Water, Motor, and Technical divisions.
• Regional Sex Offender Notification Unit (RSONU) Multi-jurisdictional partnership responsible for community notification requirements under Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 179D, tracking approximately 1,400 registered sex offenders in Washoe County using the OffenderWatch system.
• Human Exploitation and Recovery Operations (HERO) Unit Unit established in 2024 to combat human trafficking and exploitation through prosecution, protection of victims, and prevention education.
• Regional Aviation Enforcement Unit (RAVEN) Aviation unit operating OH-58 Kiowa helicopters and HH-1H Huey for crime response, search and rescue, counter-drug surveillance, and firefighting with 323-gallon water tank capability.
• Financial Crimes Unit Investigates complex felony fraud and financial crimes including identity theft, embezzlement, forgery, financial exploitation of older adults, and organized fraud schemes.
• Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) Investigates child pornography and online enticement cases as part of the Northern Nevada Cyber Center, with task force members deputized as Special Deputy United States Marshals.
• Child Abduction Alert Plan (CAAP) Emergency child abduction alert system utilizing Emergency Alert System to notify public of abducted children, covering nine northern Nevada counties and seven California counties.
• Forensic Science Laboratory Services Fee-based forensic science services contracted to other law enforcement agencies. Annual contracts (Option A full service or Option B excluding crime scene) plus pay-per-service options. Laboratory, toxicology, and testimony services invoiced separately.
• ICE Federal Detention Partnership Services Partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for federal detainee housing during transfers. Receives State Homeland Security Program grant funding ($436,000) for facility upgrades.
• Work Permits and Licensing Services Administrative services for work permits (liquor, locksmith, peddler/solicitor issued for five-year periods), concealed weapons permits (CCW), business licenses, criminal history requests, fingerprints, and other administrative services.
• THRIVE Jail-Based Competency Treatment Program Mental health competency restoration program at Washoe County Detention Facility, first in Nevada, providing comprehensive treatment for individuals found incompetent to stand trial.
• HOPE Team (Homeless Outreach) Homeless Outreach Proactive Engagement team providing resources and assistance to homeless individuals in the community.
• Inmate Work Crews Program Sentenced inmate work crews performing graffiti removal, landscaping, event setup/teardown, snow removal, and facility maintenance under supervision.
• Marine 9 Patrol Vessel Services 28-foot Titan Pilot T-280 RHIB vessel equipped with RayMarine radar/sonar/navigation, FLIR thermal imaging, video system, and SirenMarine monitoring, powered by twin 300HP Mercury Verado engines for Lake Tahoe and water patrol operations.
• AI Gun Detection Service AI-powered gun detection technology integrated with existing security cameras, providing threat alerts with actionable intelligence within 3 to 5 seconds of detection.
• Facial Recognition Investigation Service Facial recognition technology using DataWorks Plus software as part of a regional initiative involving multiple law enforcement agencies for investigative purposes.

Quantifiable outcome

• First law enforcement agency in Nevada to deploy AI gun detection technology providing threat alerts within 3-5 seconds of gun detection
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Reno Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026Multi-agency regional partnerships including shared Real-Time Information Center for facial recognition project and Regional Sex Offender Notification Unit (RSONU), Consolidated Bomb Squad, Consolidated Extraditions Unit, Regional Gang Unit.
• Sparks Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026Multi-agency regional partnerships including shared Real-Time Information Center for facial recognition project and Consolidated Bomb Squad, Consolidated Extraditions Unit, Regional Gang Unit.
• ZeroEyescoreTechnology or Integration · 17 March 2026ZeroEyes AI gun detection technology deployed by Washoe County Sheriff's Office through partnership with Stonemont Security Solutions. First law enforcement agency in Nevada to use the technology. Integrates with existing security cameras to provide threat alerts with actionable intelligence within 3-5 seconds of gun detection.
• Stonemont Security SolutionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 17 March 2026Implementation partner for ZeroEyes AI gun detection technology deployment. Facilitated integration of AI threat detection system into Washoe County Sheriff's Office security infrastructure.
• Nevada Department of Public SafetyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 March 2026State investigation into alleged forgery of POST training certification documents. Washoe County Undersheriff Corey Solferino appointed as acting Reno Police Chief during probe.
• NaphCarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026Launched THRIVE Jail-Based Competency Treatment program at Washoe County Detention Facility - first such program in Nevada. Evolved from September 2024 THRIVE Jail-based Treatment Program. Provides comprehensive mental health competency restoration treatment within the jail.
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 August 202530-year partnership for federal detainee housing. $436,000 State Homeland Security Program grant funding to remodel jail facility creating secure area for ICE screenings, interviews, and short-term holds. Washoe County was only Nevada jurisdiction to seek funding under Trump administration guidelines.
• Mountain Rescue AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCSAR is one of fewer than 80 fully accredited MRA teams in North America (roughly 3% of nation's search and rescue teams). MRA accreditation requires rigorous field evaluations in technical rock rescue, technical snow and ice rescue, and search and tracking.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• NaphCare: Private correctional healthcare partner working with WCSO on the THRIVE jail-based competency treatment program. Included as an adjacent/ecosystem peer given its role as the behavioral-health delivery vendor inside the WCSO detention platform.

Direct peers

• Sacramento County Sheriff's Office: California county sheriff providing patrol, corrections, and specialized units (aviation, K-9, SWAT) across both urban and rural terrain. Closest functional analogue to WCSO given its correctional facility operations and regional consolidated task forces.
• San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office: One of the largest county sheriff's offices in the US, providing patrol, detention, aviation, and search-and-rescue over a vast, geographically diverse jurisdiction — closely mirrors WCSO's combination of urban-unincorporated patrol plus large-scale jail operations.
• Multnomah County Sheriff's Office: Oregon county sheriff providing patrol, corrections (Multnomah County Detention Center), river/marine patrol, and forensic services. Peer comparable in corrections operations, regional partnerships, and behavioral-health programming focus.
• Maricopa County Sheriff's Office: Arizona county sheriff providing patrol, detention, forensics, and specialized units (aviation, K-9, SWAT, explosives). Comparable mix of detention-monopoly operations, federal task-force participation, and high-volume 911 response across a sprawling county.
• Riverside County Sheriff's Office: California county sheriff with patrol, corrections (five detention facilities), aviation, search-and-rescue, and forensic labs. Directly comparable regional consolidation model and detention-centric cost structure to Washoe County.
• Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department: Combined city-county law enforcement agency for Clark County, Nevada — the same state's other large urban county. Directly comparable in mandate (patrol, detention, regional task forces), scale (thousands of sworn officers), and 24/7 public-safety delivery model within Nevada.
• Clark County Washington Sheriff's Office: Mid-sized county sheriff in the Pacific Northwest providing patrol, corrections, and marine/lake-patrol capabilities. Functionally analogous to WCSO in combining a detention facility with regional police services.
• Orange County Sheriff's Office (California): Full-service county sheriff providing patrol, harbor patrol, aviation, and a large jail system with rehabilitation and reentry programs. Highly comparable service mix (incl. marine/aviation specialty units and inmate programming) to Washoe County.
• King County Sheriff's Office: Washington-state county sheriff delivering patrol, marine, and helicopter units along with regional task-force participation. Closely comparable Pacific/Western mountain-region service footprint and aviation/marine specialty mix.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/washoecountysheriff

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Washoe County Sherriff