dive team

MISSION

            OUR MISSION AS A DIVE TEAM IS TO PROVIDE TRAINED PERSONNEL WHO CAN ACCESS THE UNDERWATER ENVIRONMENT, LOCATE THE SUBMERGED EVIDENCE OR CRIME SCENE, INVESTIGATE AND COMPLETE A RECOVERY. THE TEAM IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST LAW ENFORCEMENT IN SURRY COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.

ORGANIZATION

THE SURRY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE DIVE TEAM IS AN UNDERWATER SEARCH AND RECOVERY UNIT WITH FOUR DIVERS AND TWO SURFACE SUPPORT MEMBERS. THE TEAM UTILIZES S.C.U.B.A. (SELF CONTAINED UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS) TO CARRY INVESTIGATIONS PAST THE WATERS EDGE. THE TEAM HAS THE ABILITY TO CONDUCT SEARCHES FOR EVIDENCE INCLUDING WEAPONS, STOLEN PROPERTY AND OTHER CONTRABAND OF CRIMINAL INTENT, THAT MAY END UP IN THE PONDS, RIVERS OR LAKES OF SURRY COUNTY.

TRAINING

            THE TEAM HAS RECEIVED TRAINING IN UNDERWATER SEARCH AND RECOVERY AND UNDERWATER CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION. THE TEAMS DIVERS REGULARLY TRAIN IN MUDDY “ZERO VISIBILITY” WATER UTILIZING SEVERAL SEARCH METHODS. THE DIVE TEAM ALSO TRAINS FOR (IN WATER) CADAVER SEARCHES WITH THE AID OF OUR K-9 TEAMS.  

EQUIPMENT

            IN ADDITION TO THE USUAL S.C.U.B.A. EQUIPMENT, THE TEAM HAS ACQUIRED A RUBBER ZODIAC BOAT, AN OUT BOARD BOAT MOTOR, A BOAT TRAILER AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT. THE DIVE TEAM HAS BEEN FUNDED THROUGH DRUG FORFEITURE MONEY, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DONATIONS AND MILITARY SURPLUS. IN SHORT, THE DIVE TEAM EQUIPMENT WAS ACQUIRED WITHOUT THE USE OF TAXPAYER MONIES.