The Ulster County Sheriff's Office was established in 1661. The Sheriff of Ulster County is an elected official (4 year term) who is the chief law enforcement officer of the County and is the county's conservator of the peace in accordance with County Law section 650. The Ulster County Sheriff's Office is accredited by the New York State Law Enforcement Accreditation Council and is comprised of four divisions, the Criminal, Corrections and Civil divisions and U.R.G.E.N.T., which overlaps internally with the other divisions and includes members of outside agencies.  Members of Administration include the Sheriff, Undersheriff, other command staff and support staff.

Criminal Division

Headquartered in the City of Kingston and located in the Hudson Valley of New York State, the Sheriff's Criminal Division provides proactive law enforcement services to the county's residents and visitors in 20 towns, 3 villages and the City of Kingston. Ulster County is comprised of 1,150 square miles with 2,200 miles of roadways, and a population of 182,493 (2010 Census).

Corrections Division

The Sheriff is responsible for the custody, control and movement of inmates confined to the Ulster County Jail. Committed to the jail are prisoners who may be charged with any type of crime or violation, including homicide, rape, DWI, trespass, etc. The Sheriff is responsible to assure that all prisoners are kept secure and properly cared for. He must continually conform to the rules and regulations set forth by NYS Correction Law and the New York State Correction Commission, such as providing contact visitation, education, and rehabilitation.

Civil Division

The Civil Division is a state mandated service of the Sheriff's Office. Its purpose and function is to serve and execute the various legal processes issued not only by and for the several non-criminal courts of the state and its subdivisions, but also for the legal community and the general public. Departmental and divisional policies and procedures are consistent with New York State and court case law and are designed and developed to insure the accurate, expeditious, and judicious service and execution of all matters relating to civil process. The rulings that apply include Civil Practice Law and Rules, Judiciary Law, Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law (RPAPL), and the Family Court Act (FCA).

U.R.G.E.N.T.

The Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team is an inter-agency task force focusing on criminal activity ranging from cocaine and heroin trafficking to New-York-based gang operations active in Ulster.   The following agencies have members assigned to U.R.G.E.N.T.: Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Lloyd Police, Town of Plattekill Police, Town of Woodstock Police, Town of Shandaken Police, Town of New Paltz Police, Village of Ellenville Police, Town of Marlborough Police, the Ulster County District Attorney, Ulster County Probation, United States, and the United States Marshals.