Throughout the year, deputies maintained active patrols across all areas of Brown County, including rural communities and outlying towns. Sheriff Merchant indicated the office received positive feedback from residents who appreciated the consistent law enforcement presence throughout the county. Investigative efforts were successful, supported by strong cooperation among partner agencies and community members.
Public safety resources expanded in 2025 with the addition of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to every patrol vehicle, providing deputies with another tool to respond to roadside medical emergencies. The Sheriff’s Office also partnered with the Kansas Department of Transportation to supply trauma kits for high school students certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED use.
The Brown County Sheriff’s Office was selected as a keynote speaker on Community First Aid and Crash Response at the Kansas Transportation Safety Conference held later in the year.
Plans were finalized in 2025 to upgrade the county dispatch center, including the addition of a third dispatcher position. The expansion is intended to enhance safety and operational security during major incidents. Grant funding obtained through a partnership with another agency helped offset project costs, reducing the financial impact on county taxpayers. The project stemmed from an unfunded mandate the Sheriff’s Office had been working to address for nearly a year.
Crime data released in the 2024 Kansas Bureau of Investigation Crime Index showed Brown County recorded the second-lowest reported crime offenses in the state among counties with a full 12-month reporting history. Brown County recorded 2.9 occurrences per 1,000 residents, while Pratt County ranked lowest with 1.5 occurrences per 1,000 residents. The report does not include city municipalities.
During 2025, county dispatchers handled more than 2,760 emergency 911 calls and nearly 38,970 non-emergency calls. The Sheriff’s Office responded to more than 12,350 total occurrences for the year, including traffic stops, town checks, welfare checks, medical calls, accidents, DUI and drug-related incidents, and criminal investigations.
The Brown County Jail recorded a total of 414 inmate bookings during the year.
Sheriff Merchant noted appreciation for the continued cooperation of Brown County residents and encouraged the public to continue reporting suspicious activity so concerns can be addressed promptly.
