Policy Text
UNDERWATER SEARCH AND RECOVERY UNIT
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/01/05 STANDARD NO. 079 REVISED: 10/24/18
REPLACES: Rev. 02/12/14;
OBJECTIVE: To establish policy and procedure for the operation of the Underwater Search
and Recovery Unit.
POLICY: It is the policy of this Department that when the facts and circumstances indicate
a special risk (i.e. vehicle recoveries, drowning/homicide victim recoveries,
waterborne tactical operations, multi-agency task force operations, etc.) that lies
within the scope of the Unit, the Department will utilize the Underwater Search
and Rescue Unit. This, in no way, relieves officers of their duties and
responsibilities to effect arrests and conduct lawful searches, but to provide a
safer response to special “high risk” situations.
SCOPE: All employees of the Unit will become familiar with the regulations and
procedures listed below.
I. PROCEDURES:
A. Team Mission and Capabilities:
1.
The mission for Dive Team personnel responding to a waterborne situation is the
protection and safety of the public and police personnel by reducing waterborne
injuries and deaths through the recovery of life and property. Further, it is the
policy of this Department to use the Dive Team to assist other agencies that
request guidance and/or assistance for waterborne operations and/or critical
incident operations.
2. Waterborne Capabilities:
a. Vehicle Recovery/Extraction.
b. Drowning/Homicide Victim Recovery/Extraction.
c. Waterborne Tactical Operations.
d. Multi-Agency Task Force Operations.
e. Underwater Search Operations to include weapon/evidence searches.
f. Night Diving.
g. Deep Diving.
h. Zero Visibility Diving.
i. Other special risk/critical incident situations.
Underwater Search & Recovery Unit – SOP# 079
B. Team Organization:
1. A police officer of command rank will be appointed as the Dive Team Supervisor.
The Dive Team will be composed of a Team Leader, Primary Dive Members, and
Alternate Dive Members.
a. Team Supervisor:
1) Is responsible for the general development of the Team.
2) Coordinates all training, selection of equipment and development
of the Team, after conferring with the Chief of Police, or designee.
3) Ensure that the Team’s mission is carried out.
4) Serves as Team Administrator.
5) Assigns Team duties.
b. Team Leader:
1) Directly supervises the Team’s response and deployment to a
waterborne risk situation.
2) Helps coordinate training and ensures maintenance of dive
equipment.
3) Acts as Team Supervisor in Supervisors’ absence.
4) Prepares After Action Reports.
c. Primary Team Member:
1) Responsible for the actual completion of each mission, always
entering the water in tandem as assigned by the Team
Supervisor.
d. Alternate Team Member:
1) Responsible to be the substitution of a Primary Team Member in a
“call-out” situation. Subsequently the Alternate Team Member will
be responsible for the actual completion of each mission as
assigned by the Team Supervisor.
e. Tender:
1) Provides a safety line to divers during a mission from shore or
boat/vessel. Line used is a floatable line (1/4” yellow braided
polypropylene, 3 x 200’ lengths) also to be used as a guide for
different search patterns and for the use of tender to diver signals
as well as diver to tender signals.
Underwater Search & Recovery Unit – SOP# 079
f. Data Recorder:
1) Responsible for compiling and gathering all data necessary, which
is used for after action reviews to include official police reports to
be used as possible evidence in court proceedings. This data will
be used also for statistical, briefing/debriefing, logistical and future
training purposes.
g. Shooter/Long Gun:
1) Responsible for the safety of divers during a mission in regards to
the interdiction of hazards in the form of wildlife presenting an
immediate danger to divers underwater. Dangerous wildlife must
be at a threshold distance of 10 feet in either direction of divers in
the water before any action is taken.
2. As situations require, the size of the Team and/or job description of the personnel
within the Team may be altered to fit the situation (i.e. scene containment, SRT
Dive operations deployment, etc.).
C. Selection of Personnel: