Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam creates in-house Mental Health Counselor position for staff

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam today announced the creation of a fulltime Mental Health Counselor position to work with Sheriff’s Office staff.

The position was approved by the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners during their meeting today, March 23, 2021.

“I have long held the belief that the men and women of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office deserve a fulltime Mental Health Counselor, and I’ve been working towards creating this position for close to a year,” said Sheriff Balaam. “The sudden and unfortunate loss of two Washoe County Sheriff’s Office personnel in January underscored the urgent need for such a practitioner to be on staff, and to be immediately accessible to those who work at the Office.

“I am extremely grateful that the Board of County Commissioners recognized the exigency for a mental health practitioner to be a fulltime position at the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, and that the Board and County Manager Eric Brown found the funding in the middle of a budget cycle to fill this urgent necessity,” said Sheriff Balaam.

The Mental Health Counselor position is funded effective April 1, 2021. The position will be filled by, and the practitioner will begin on that date. More information will be forthcoming.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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