Public Safety/Patrol/SWAT

Public Safety's Mission:

To protect life and property, and provide equal justice to all

The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Division patrols 1800 plus square miles of La Plata County which they divide into four (4) districts.  La Plata County borders San Juan County to the north, the New Mexico state line to the south, Montezuma County to the west and Archuleta County to the east.

Public Safety deputies respond to calls dispatched from the La Plata County 911/Dispatch Center and conduct the initial criminal investigations on a variety of incidents including:  crimes against persons, crimes against property, warrant arrests, and DUI and traffic offenses on county roads and state highways when appropriate. They are also available to assist the local fire, ambulance and law enforcement agencies in the county. 

Patrol for the County is maintained 24 hours a Day, 7 Days a week.  

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)

The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office utilizes a specially trained Team of Deputies with alternative mission capabilities to resolve high risk incidents while attempting to minimize the potential for injury or death to those involved. The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team receives special training and equipment to enhance its ability to bring high risk incidents to a successful conclusion. The mission of the SWAT Team is to save lives by attempting to reduce the risk of injury and loss of life to hostages, innocent citizens, law enforcement deputies and suspects.

 Utilization of SWAT:

 A.   Hostage Situations:  The holding of any person (s) against their will by an armed suspect(s) or a suspect(s) who is believed to be armed with a weapon or dangerous instrument.

 B.   Barricaded Subjects:  The stand-off created by an armed or potentially armed suspect(s) in any location, whether fortified or who is refusing to comply with arrest commands.

 C.   High Risk Search/Arrest Warrants:  The service of search/arrest warrants for criminal investigations involving suspect(s) that are known or believed to be dangerous and pose a specific threat of serious physical injury or death when confronted by law enforcement.

 D.      High Risk Arrests:  The SWAT Team may be utilized in the arrest of suspect(s) in a criminal case where the suspect(s) pose a substantial risk to arresting officers. 

 E.      Jail Disturbances:  The SWAT Team may be utilized in the suppression of inmates that are involved in acts of violence or disruptive activity that is beyond the capabilities of the Detention Center to control.  The Team may also be deployed for any hostage situation or barricade at the jail or to retake any portion of the facility under the control of inmates.

 F.       Personnel Protective Details:  The SWAT Team may be utilized for the protection of special persons, such as VIPs, witnesses or suspects, based on threat or potential threat to the well-being of those persons.

 G.      Terrorist Incidents:  The SWAT Team may be utilized in a broad variety of capacities during any act of terrorism.  This could include hostage rescue, warrant service, immediate response, security, and bomb squad support, among others.

 H.      Rapid Deployment Situations: Any life-threatening situation where SWAT Team Deputies are called to assist in stabilizing the scene or to stop a deadly threat. Team members responding to a critical incident will work to stabilize the situation as soon as possible.