SWAT is an elite team of deputies who are available for immediate call-out 24 hours a day.

The team trains together as a unit and strives to provide Columbia County citizens with the best protection available. To prepare for any situation that may arise, SWAT team members have trained with various state, government, and local agencies. SWAT has been deployed to various situations that include; barricaded suspects, hostage situations, and high risk warrant services. They are also utilized for covert field intelligence gathering

This special team is designated to negotiate or “talk” barricaded individuals out of their situation. Several Deputies have had specialized training in negotiation techniques. It is their job to settle the problem in as peaceful a manner as possible so that no one gets hurt. The Negotiations Unit will exhaust all avenues to ensure the release of hostages and then subdue the barricaded individual peacefully before they consider the use of any kind of force.

The Sheriff’s Office Dive Team provides a means to search for and recover items from local waterways. The team is responsible for all underwater evidence and body recovery in Columbia County. Through the use of various search patterns and techniques the Dive Team searches for items of all sizes and variety, from an item as big as an aircraft to as small as a single bullet casing. The Dive Team dives in a variety of water conditions and in any climate. Most of the dives are made in the lakes, springs, and rivers of Columbia County where visibility is almost nonexistent.

Working with our four-legged partners to keep the community safe.

The Sheriff K-9 Team is a specialized unit dedicated to enhancing public safety through the remarkable skills of highly trained dogs and their handlers. Our K-9s play a vital role in search and rescue missions, detecting drugs, explosives, and locating missing persons. They also assist in law enforcement operations, ensuring the safety of both officers and the community.

Honoring service. Respecting sacrifice.

The Sheriff Honor Guard is a distinguished group of law enforcement professionals who represent the Sheriff’s Office at ceremonial events, including funerals, memorials, parades, and special ceremonies. Through their presence, they pay tribute to fallen officers, honor the sacrifices of those who serve, and uphold the values of integrity, dedication, and duty.

The UAS Team is a specialized aerial unit that utilizes state-of-the-art drone technology to search for missing and wanted persons as well as provides security for Deputies when needed. Each pilot at the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is a Small Unmanned Aircraft System Pilot licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration.