Easily the most visible of the five BCSO divisions, Patrol serves the citizens of Bradley County 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are often referred to as the "front line" of the BCSO because they respond to a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations ranging from routine criminal investigation to accidents to domestic situations. Patrol Division includes the uniformed patrol, the SWAT team, the SRO program and traffic enforcement.

The Patrol Division is led by Capt. Jon Collins who has more than 14 years of service at the Bradley County Sheriff's Office. He has direct supervision of over 60 full-time deputies.

Uniform Patrol

The Uniform Patrol Division consists of 45 patrol deputies, five sergeants and four lieutenants divided into four teams, each assigned to 12-hour shifts. In 2006, Patrol responded to 82,000 calls for service. That number is expected to exceed 100,000 in 2007, as the population of Bradley County's 335 square miles continues to grow.

When not answering calls, uniform deputies assist in traffic enforcement and traffic safety education. Deputies who have completed special training in crime scene investigation serve as Field Investigators, overseeing the collection of evidence, working closely with lab personnel and testifying in open court.

Field Training Officers (FTOs) serve as instructors and mentors for new deputies, offering invaluable tips in the field. Every new deputy is required to complete an eight-week FTO training program where they are partnered with experienced deputies on all shifts.

SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics)

The SWAT team responds to a variety of volatile situations requiring a higher level of specialized training that usually goes beyond the scope of normal law enforcement proficiency. Under the direction of Team Leader Sgt. Jerry Rogers, the 12-member SWAT team are BCSO volunteers who receive highly specialized and on-going tactical training that prepares them to deal with emergency situations threatening the safety and security of the community.

The SWAT team would be deployed to assist patrol deputies in locating suspects who have fled on foot, help search for missing children and adults, high-risk warrant service and negotiating with suspects who are barricaded inside a home, school, business or other building.

The BCSO has recently added an armored personnel carrier (APC) to their fleet, which will be a valuable tool for the SWAT team during hostage situations and/or other standoff situations. The BCSO acquired the APC at no cost to the taxpayer as part of the federal government's surplus program. The APC can withstand .50-caliber rounds and is available for loan to other area law enforcement agencies as needed.

SRO - School Resource Officer

Bradley County has 11 elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Currently, the BCSO has uniformed deputies assigned to each one, with the exception of Charleston Elementary. As of today, Sheriff Tim Gobble is working with the Bradley County Commission to secure funding for an SRO position there with his 2007-2008 budget requests. Since Charleston Elementary is located on Hwy. 11, directly across from the Charleston Police Dept., the Sheriff felt if one school had to do without an SRO until a position could be funded, Charleston Elementary was the best suited and the best situated.

SROs are full-time deputies who are selected for the program based on their dedication to law enforcement, proven professionalism and a desire to work with students and faculty to ensure a safe and secure educational environment.

Responsibilities of the SROs include enforcing all laws on and off the school campus, providing security for functions held outside regular school hours, serving as a positive role model for children and providing instruction in the DARE program (Drug Abuse Resistance Eduction) for each 5th grade class.

Bradley County's SRO program has been singled out as one of the most effective school-based programs in Tennessee.

The BCSO's award winning and nationally recognized Traffic Unit is headed up by Lt. William G. Campbell, and consists of four deputies who enforce traffic laws and promote traffic safety. They have all received training in crash investigation and some have completed training in crash reconstruction.

Duties of the unit include crash investigations, DUI enforcement, radar operations and speed reductions, safety checkpoints, child seat installation, seat belt usage, under age consumption, public education and prosecution of offenders.