RURAL PATROL UNIT

OFFROAD ENFORCEMENT:

RURAL PATROL UNIT

The Rural Patrol Unit utilizes Offroad A.T.V (All Terrain Vehicles) to patrol areas in our county that do not get the usual "normal" patrol by regular deputies and reserves.

Below is a brief description of the unit and it's main functions:

The Office of the Sheriff, Contra Costa County has formed a Rural Patrol Unit. The purpose of this unit is to add visibility to the department in covering area's inaccessible by a regular patrol vehicle. A new component was added to the unit in 1999. The use of four wheel drive all terrain vehicles (A.T.V.) was introduced. American Honda has donated four A.T.V.'s to the Office of the Sheriff. These A.T.V.'s will be used by the Rural Crimes Unit to supplement the Sheriff's Department Patrol Vehicle Fleet and assist on details that require offroad or limited access vehicles.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the Rural Patrol Unit is to establish a visual police presence in the areas of the county that is not normally accessible to patrol deputies utilizing normal patrol vehicles.

Promote positive communications with the public regarding offroad rules and regulations. Assist in Search & Rescue activities. This unit has several assets that are found to be beneficial: These can include the following: Can generally respond to a call for patrol or a search in a very short period of time. Can expedite moving into a patrol area. Can conduct or assist in a Hasty Search, covering significant distances, if necessary, in a short period of time. Available for daytime or nighttime patrol either on or off road, and in any type of weather conditions, adverse or conducive. Headlights can illuminate the area during nighttime conditions. Unit can assist in various rescue and recovery situations. Can rapidly move from one area to another. Can transport personnel or equipment from one area to another. Very advantageous for cordoning off and maintaining a search/patrol perimeter. Can negotiate or traverse almost any type of terrain that can be walked or negotiated by hikers or animals.