The Franklin County Detention Center is located in the City of Ozark.  It houses both male and female inmates.  The current Detention Center was built in 1975, and serves as the Sheriff's Office, Dispatch, and Jail.

The detention center officers serve as dispatchers.  They handle all radio traffic for the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Charleston Police Department, Ozark Police Department, Altus Police Department, Franklin County Fire Departments, Franklin County Emergency Medical Services, and the Franklin County Office of Emergency Services.  They also assist with radio traffic for the Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Game & Fish, Arkansas Highway Patrol, and the 5th Judicial Drug Task Force.

When the Detention officers are not handling radio traffic and running criminal history checks, they are responsible for answering phones, taking 911 calls, distributing inmate property and medications, monitoring inmates, entering warrants, booking inmates into the jail, working visitation, jail security, and accepting payment for fines, tickets, and bail.

Sometimes it can be pretty hectic in the dispatch office.  When you call the Sheriff's Office, try to stay calm.  While the dispatchers realizes that your call may be the most serious moment of your life, yours may not be the most serious complaint or emergency coming in at that time.  Please be patient and help us help you.

Tips for Callers:

When you call for assistance, you should have available:

• Where:  the location of the complaint or emergency and the location you are calling from.

• What: is the complaint or emergency?

• Who: is causing the problem?  Did you see them?  What is their description?

• Weapons: Were there any weapons involved?  Where are the weapons now?

• Direction of Travel: Has the person left the scene?  Which direction did they go?  

 "You know where you are, and God knows where you are... but if your dispatcher doesn't know where you are, you and God had better be on good terms."

~ Unknown