- K-9 Unit
- Canyons Unit
- Search & Rescue
- Motor Squad Unit
- SWAT Team
- Major Accident Team
- Hit and Run Investigation
- Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
- Mounted Posse
- Crossing Guards
The year 2000 brought about some exciting changes as well as some significant disappointments. The Division relocated from its long-standing location at 45th and Main to a new building east of the new jail facility. Co-located with the Property and Evidence Unit, we can now store emergency equipment indoors to protect it from the elements. In July, the Sheriff added the Air Support Unit to the Division but in December the out-going commissioners cut this service. The Sheriff also disbanded the Reserves Corp in an attempt to save deputy allocations from drastic budget cuts.
K-9 UNIT
The Sheriff's K-9 Unit consists of seven deputy handlers and eight working dogs that provide canine support to the Operations, Investigative, and Corrections Bureaus. The Unit is often called upon to assist Federal, State, and other local law enforcement agencies. The deputies and their canine partners work the evening and graveyard shifts in patrol, but are subject to call-out at any time the resource is needed. They search for and apprehend high risk criminals who have fled from law enforcement and/or concealed themselves to avoid capture. Additionally, the Unit can provide dogs for evidence searches and narcotics detection. This year we apprehended thirty criminals as a direct result of canine deployments.
The Unit also provided nearly forty canine demonstrations throughout the year for school programs, scout groups, community activities, and special interest groups. These demonstrations provide an excellent opportunity to promote a greater understanding of how and why canines benefit law enforcement and citizens in their efforts to keep our communities safe. The Unit also assisted a local business in a fund-raising effort to purchase body armor for the dogs after a service dog in southern Utah was shot and killed during a dispute. This year we dedicated a stone marker in tribute to all the of the police service dogs who have proudly served the Sheriff's Office over the last thirty-two years.
CANYONS UNIT
Because of the increased usage of the canyons by the public, the Canyon Unit augmented its assignment this year by four deputies, bringing the total to one sergeant and fifteen deputies. The canyons create unusual demands on law enforcement due to the variety of owners and users. We work with private owners, the U.S. Forest Service, Salt Lake City Water Department (watershed land), ski resorts, the Division of Natural Resources (wildlife management), the Utah Department of Transportation, and many other groups.
We train Canyon deputies and give them specialized equipment necessary for different types of calls during different seasons of the year. Weather conditions dictate response and deputies get calls for emergencies at any time of the day or night. The most frequent calls are for search and rescue operations on fallen hikers or climbers, injured skiers or snowboarders, and drowning and avalanche victims. Deputies respond to traffic accidents, thefts, and burglaries of vehicles, cabins and businesses. They also respond to shut down traffic during emergencies due to natural or manmade events.
SEARCH AND RESCUE UNIT
The Salt Lake County Search and Rescue Unit turned 43 in the year 2000. In 1957, the Sheriff's Office, along with some of the deputies, decided to develop this unit and train volunteers to fill positions. Thirty volunteers and four full-time deputies make up the team, who are trained in various types of rescue and recovery operations. The team can respond at a moment's notice anytime, day or night, to any type of emergency--lost or fallen hikers, fallen or stranded climbers, drownings in the rivers or reservoirs, plane crashes, missing snowmobilers, or injured skiers. The team also works in urban settings to search for missing persons (adult or children), to search through collapsed buildings, and to conduct evidence searches.
The team spent approximately 11,000 to 15,000 hours during 2000, in training and handling call outs. The team spends a great deal of time away from their family and employment to provide this benefit to all who have needed their intervention in emergency situations.
Search and Rescue team members also provide presentations to educate the public about problems associated with the outdoors. Giving these special presentations helps save lives or injuries to individuals who enjoy using the mountain back country and the reservoirs, lakes, and streams of the county and state. Team members also demonstrate rescue equipment and participate in conferences, the county fair, and parades.
MOTOR SQUAD
One Sergeant and ten deputies make up the Sheriff's Office Motor Squad. Members complete an intensive motorcycle certification course and recertify annually. Riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, the squad enforces speed and traffic laws throughout the county. They also assist the patrol divisions, give support in the canyons, demonstrate in numerous parades, regulate traffic-controlled fun runs, enforce DUI infringement, arraign aggressive drivers, provide funeral escorts, teach buckle-up programs, and furnish intersection enforcement.
In 2000, the motor squad began enforcing traffic violations on dangerous intersections. Deputies enforced the 5400 South Redwood Road intersection and accidents declined by 25%. The motor squad thrust for 2001 will be to increase DUI enforcement.
S.W.A.T. TEAM
From humble beginnings, the SWAT team has developed into one of the premier tactical teams in the state. The current team is comprised of a lieutenant team commander and 25 deputy operators, including sergeant team leaders. While most team members hold primary assignments outside Special Operations, they must meet strict requirements to maintain operational status. Team members must pass stringent office and team firearms qualifications quarterly and a physical agility test semi-annually. Operators must attend a minimum of 150 hours of specialized training annually in addition to P.O.S.T. requirements. The team conducted extensive "live fire" tactical exercises in a state-of-the-art firearms facility this year. Augmenting general tactical expertise required, the team has experts in the fields of less lethal munitions, explosive breaching, marksman/sniper, tactical medics, firearms instructors, and advanced tactical operations.
Due to the ever-changing dynamics of tactical operations, the team continually evaluates and enhances its equipment and operational philosophies to stay at peak performance. In preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympics, the team has participated in several multi-team operations with local and federal agencies. As part of that training, a "backcountry" tactical unit has been formed within the team to facilitate operations in extreme environmental and climatic conditions. This year we added a new deployment/rescue vehicle to aid in protecting and saving lives.
In its first year, the team responded to five call-outs, and served seven high-risk warrants for a total of 12 operations. In 2000, the team tripled its number of operations to 36, with seven call-outs for barricaded suspects/hostage rescue operations and 29 high-risk, no-knock warrant services. The team completed and exceeded its 200th successful operation.
MAJOR ACCIDENT TEAM
The Major Accident Team responds to all serious, near-fatal, and fatal motor vehicle collisions in the county. Team members receive training in accident reconstruction methods and techniques, advanced commercial vehicle inspection, evidence collection, and crime scene diagramming.
In addition to crash investigations, this team assists the Homicide Unit in the collection of evidence, by measuring and preparing courtroom presentation diagrams. The District Attorney's Office also routinely requests them to prepare courtroom presentations. In 2000, the Major Accident Team responded to 10 crime scene call outs and 29 motor vehicle collision call outs.
HIT AND RUN UNIT
This unit provides follow-up investigation to motor vehicle collisions that involve a driver who "fails to report" the incident to law enforcement. We conduct follow-up investigations on collisions ranging from minor property damage collisions to major collisions involving injuries. In 2000, we handled 1391 follow-up cases, with 211 consequent arrests.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INSPECTION UNIT
Deputy A. J. Morley specializes in Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Title 49, governing the use of large commercial vehicles on the roadways. As the commercial vehicle inspector for the Sheriff's Office, he gives citations for overweight violations, brake system violations, unqualified drivers, and other safety violations. In 2000, Deputy Morley inspected 63 commercial vehicles. He found 259 violations and placed 32 vehicles "out of service." Five drivers were unqualified to drive any commercial vehicle.
SHERIFF'S MOUNTED POSSEE
In existence for more than 47 years, the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office Mounted Posse is currently a ten member riding club who belong to the Utah State Western Riding Club Association (USWRCA). Members compete in individual and team events as well as in numerous parade and drill competitions. All members represent the Sheriff's Office in many volunteer services. During the spring, they hold an open horse show for the youth and help with Wheeler Farm Family Fun Day. In December, they visit an elderly care center, taking Santa Claus along, and bring a small gift for each of the residents. The Posse Members volunteer their time, horse, and services for the opportunity to represent the Sheriff's Office.
CROSSING GUARDS
The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office employs 153 crossing guards who work at 60 schools in the Granite and Jordan School Districts. Dedicated men and women, they staff crossings during morning, noon, and after school hours, enduring all types of weather conditions for the safety of the school children.
View the Crossing Guard Announcement