The Chisago County Sheriff's Office serves a growing population of over 50,000 permanent residents as well as a large population of cabin owners and tourists during peak season.  Chisago County is 444 square miles of which 419 is land.  It is bisected by US I-35 and is approximately 40 miles north of St. Paul, making it an ideal commuter distance for people who work in the metro area but wish to live in a rural community.  The county's proximity to the metro area, it's many lakes, streams and rivers, a National Park and a Major State Park make it the the most heavily "day tripped" county in the state for recreational purposes.  The Chisago County Sheriff's Office has over 90 employees which consist of patrol deputies, correction officers, dispatchers, bailiffs, and clerical staff.  The Sheriff's Office provides a full range of law enforcement service for the citizens of Chisago County and provides contract police services to the cities of Taylors Falls, Rush City, Center City, Harris and Stacy.  There are three independent police departments within Chisago County:  North Branch Police Department; Wyoming Police Department and Lakes Area Police Department (Chisago and Lindstrom).