Other Units and Teams in the Enforcement Operations Bureau

The Hostage/Crisis Negotiation Team, Search & Rescue Team, Mounted Unit, S.W.A.T. Team, K-9 Unit and Motor Squadron Unit fall under The Enforcement Operations Bureau. The Enforcement Operations Bureau has several other divisions, the Patrol Division, Narcotics Division, Investigations Division, Homeland Security Division, Crime Prevention Unit, and Special Operations Division. Chief Deputy John Darling is in charge of the Enforcement Operations Bureau, and Captain Charles Monarque serves as the Bureau Captain.

Hostage/Crisis Negotiation Team
"HNT" is a group of specifically trained deputies whose mission is to bring about the peaceful resolution of critical incidents involving subjects "in crises." The "subjects in crises" may be barricaded criminals, suicidal persons, emotionally or psychologically disturbed persons, persons in the midst of domestic problems, or even persons who today would be labeled political terrorists. "HNT" works in partnership with the Sheriff's SWAT Team who provide the tactical protection and response necessary to allow the negotiation process to occur. In addition to the unincorporated area of the county, it also responds to requests for aid from cities within the county who do not have an "HNT" of their own. The team responds at any hour and any day an incident may occur.

Search and Rescue Team
 The Search and Rescue Team provides coverage for Monterey County and responds to Mutual Aid requests by our neighboring counties. The Team is comprised of 13 deputies and about 25 volunteers. Some members of the Team are also assigned to the Dive Unit, a component of the Search and Rescue Team. Search and Rescue Team members are specially trained and equipped for all search and rescue, and recovery operations. Each year, they respond to missions ranging from extended searches in the Los Padres National Forest for the rescue of stranded hikers, to cliff-side rescues of persons who have fallen or driven off the coastal cliffs. They have also been called on to assist in the recovery of deceased persons who may have had accidents in the rugged backcountry, Big Sur area, or diving in the Pacific Ocean or other waterways in the County.

Mounted Search Unit
A new addition to the Search and Rescue Team is the Mounted Unit. The Mounted Unit consists of two deputies and about 20 volunteers. The Mounted Unit provides horses for rescue missions, body recoveries, parades, and ceremonial functions (color guard). Visit their web site for more information on this Unit.

S.W.A.T.
The S.W.A.T. team provides a coordinated response to crisis incidents throughout Monterey County. They may include hostage/barricaded suspect situations, civil disturbances, security operations, and high risk arrest and search warrants.

K - 9 Unit
The Canine Unit is a general use resource of personnel and dogs that may respond anywhere within the County to situations requiring a trained police dog and handler. They offer a very specialized function which includes locating, controlling and apprehending suspects, crowd control, locating missing persons, and narcotics detection. There are currently three general service dogs in the unit. K-9 support is available countywide on a 24/7 basis. The dogs are owned by the County and trained with their handlers. The handlers and their dogs must obtain semi-annual certification.

Motor Squadron
Duties include writing radar citations to riding in parades and performing many other details that the Sheriff wants handled. Please visit our Motor Squadron page for more information.

The Sheriff’s Aero Squad was established in the late 1970's. Squadron members travel throughout the state transporting not only Sheriff’s Office personnel, but also other County officers conducting official business. They have assisted in enforcement operations by providing an “eye in the sky”. The Aero Squadron members volunteer their time and aircraft.