Court bailiff hired to ensure security

On certain days, the Bourbon County District Court lobby area and courtroom proceedings can become loud, and emotions can reduce people to tears and occasional outbursts.

That prompted the judges of the district court to come to a consensus that a security bailiff was needed, someone to sit in on court hearings and monitor traffic in the lobby.

Bill Prichard was hired to fill that position. He started the new job on March 17.

r New Bourbon County District Court bailiff Bill Prichard stands in the main courtroom of the county courthouse, where he will monitor criminal court hearings. Prichard is nine days into his new job as a security bailiff for the district court. Tribune photo/Michael Glove

"I think my presence probably has kept people quiet and kept the tone down a bit," Prichard said.

His biggest job responsibility will be monitoring criminal court hearings in both the main courtroom and the magistrate court room. However, Prichard will also monitor security cameras on his computer just outside the district clerk's office. The security cameras were recently added throughout the courthouse, and Prichard will monitor each floor of the facility with an emphasis on the courtroom floor on the third level.

"It's kind of been a learning experience," Prichard said of his new job.

Currently, Prichard isn't armed. But eventually, he'll be armed with a Taser stun gun. In fact, Prichard is scheduled to go through a Taser certification course offered through the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office.

Also, he will operate a metal detecting wand device and search people who attend court proceedings before they are allowed into the courtroom. The metal detector will only be used for certain criminal cases. The particular judge hearing the case will advise whether the metal detector is necessary.

Prichard has a background in law enforcement. Five years ago, he retired from the Kansas Highway Patrol, where he was a trooper for 24 1/2 years. He also trained future KHP troopers at the academy for five years.

He was stationed for 10 years as a trooper in Bourbon County and currently lives in Fort Scott.

Before joining KHP, Prichard was a trooper with the Missouri Highway Patrol for six years as well as serving with the Missouri Water Patrol. His total number of years in law enforcement add up to 32 years.

Even though security and law enforcement go hand-in -hand, Prichard said "I think this job is more of a public service, helping people find what they're looking for in the courthouse and answering questions."

He works Monday through Friday during the normal business hours of the courthouse.

Bourbon County District Court Judge Mark Ward said there was a need for a bailiff and that the court system pursued getting stepped up security in place for the court.