Sheriff's Office Exits Oklahoma Co. Jail, Moves To New Location

The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office is out of the Oklahoma County jail, although control of the jail won’t officially be handed over until next week.

“The exciting thing about this move is the employee’s morale is sky-high,” Sheriff P.D. Taylor said. “They’re so excited about being out of that building and all of the flooding and all the sewage that came along with it no heat, no air, and all these other issues they’ve really taken pride in their new location.”

The department moved into the county-owned Krowse Building. Beginning Monday, investigations, records and warrants, the sex offender registry, and other judicial services are all operating out of the new location near NE 36th and Martin Luther King Avenue.

“It’s almost like it was meant to be, it’s designed for the sheriff's office,” Taylor said.

He said the 1950s building already had a vault, property rooms and space for warrants and records right near the public entrance.

While they won’t miss the jail’s sewage and A/C issues, the sheriff said leaving behind their former co-workers at the jail is bittersweet.

“But, the other side of the coin, moving into this location, it’s such a positive for myself and for the employees because the majority of the sheriffs office is now located under one roof so you’ve got better supervision better communication,” Taylor said.

The new location is owned by the county, however, the sheriff’s department still pays around $25,000 in rent each month.

“I knew it would be a big plus for the employees, but to see their reaction, their attitude and their morale which is gone sky-high, I don’t know what else to say we are very happy,” Taylor said.

The jail trust will take over county jail operations July 1.