Police Services

• Problem Oriented Policing (POP)
• Uniform Police Services
• Criminal Investigations Section
• Marine Safety Section
• Washtenaw Metro SWAT Team
• K-9 Team
• Police Reserve Unit
• Underwater Search and Recovery Team (USRT)

Problem Oriented Policing (POP)

Problem-oriented policing is the philosophy that the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office Police Services Division operates under. POP is a way of thinking about police work and the community we serve. It's about prevention of crime through building community partnerships and focusing on the root causes of crime in our neighborhoods. Problem-oriented policing places a high value on new responses that are preventive in nature, that are not solely dependent on the use of the criminal justice system, and that engage other public agencies, the community and the private sector when their involvement has the potential for significantly contributing to the reduction of the problem and providing quality service.

Uniform Police Services

Police Services provided by the Sheriff’s Office is the one most often seen by county residents and serves every community in Washtenaw County. Lead by Commander Dieter Heren, the Sheriff Police Services partners with ten townships, two villages and three school districts through contract policing. Police Services is charged with the responsibility for the protection of life and property, the prevention of crime, and the promotion of public peace.  Police Service Deputies focus on creating public safety and service excellence by conducting field investigations, including traffic crashes, criminal investigation, arrest persons charged with a crime or violation, render assistance to disabled motorists, and attend to the sick or injured.  

Criminal Investigations Section

Deputies assigned to Criminal Investigations or Detective Bureau (DB) are trained in the gathering and collecting of crime related information, interview of crime suspects and witnesses to crimes, and the physical investigation and processing of crime scenes for the purpose of identifying, collecting and preserving various forms of evidence.  Additionally, one Sergeant is responsible for authorizing and arranging the polygraph interviews.

One Detective is assigned to narcotics investigations and one detective is assigned to Washtenaw Area Auto Theft (WAAT) working with the Michigan State Police Criminal Investigation Division. One detective is assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force.

Marine Safety Division

The Boating / Marine Safety Division is supervised by Cpl. Robert Pasternak.  It is staffed by part-time Boating  / Marine Safety Officers from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Pursuant to Michigan Public Act 303, the Marine Safety Act of 1967, the County Sheriff has jurisdiction on all water-ways in the county. This section performs certain functions to insure the safe operation of watercraft on county waterways.  Marine Safety personnel inspect and license boat liveries, conduct classes in boating safety, enforce safe boating laws on county waterways and function as support personnel to the Under-Water Search and Recovery Team. Read more on the Marine Safety Section

Washtenaw County Metro SWAT Team

Members from the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office participate in a regional tactical and crisis negotiation collaboration team with other police agencies in Washtenaw County.  Selected Sheriff Office deputies have been trained in the use of special weapons and tactics (SWAT) and negotiate during crisis situations (Crisis Negotiation Team). Utilization of the Washtenaw Metro SWAT and Washtenaw Crisis Negotiation Team may include anti-sniper tactics, anti-terrorist tactics, barricades subjects, apprehension of armed and/or dangerous persons, executions of search warrants in hazardous situations, crisis situations and hostage rescue operations, dignitary protection, and other situation which would require the expertise of a well trained team.  The team leader of the Washtenaw Metro SWAT Team is Sgt Jim Baird of the Ann Arbor Police Department.  Assistant Commanders are Lt. Jim Anuszkiewicz of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and Sgt Tom Eberts of the Ypsilanti City Police Department.

K-9 Team

The Sheriff's Office canine team is comprised of two officers and two specially trained dogs (K-9's). Sergeant Steve Armstrong and K-9 Bary, Deputy Gerrod Visel and K-9 Ziva. Both K-9's are dual purpose, or cross- trained in patrol and detection disciplines. The K-9's are utilized to track suspects from crime scenes, locating lost or missing persons, searching buildings for hidden suspects,  apprehension of criminals, evidence searches, and narcotics and explosives detection.

Both K-9 teams participate in the Washtenaw Metro K-9 Team. The Washtenaw Metro K-9 Team is a collaborative effort that involves K-9 Teams from the Sheriff's Office, the Ann Arbor Police Department, the University of Michigan Public Safety and the Ypsilanti Police Department. This partnership helps to provide quality service while utilizing K-9 teams from the Washtenaw Metro Team provide K-9 support to active investigations.

Reserve Unit

The Washtenaw County Sheriff Reserve Unit consists of approximately 20 highly trained volunteers that are used to supplement the agency’s personnel resources in all divisions.  The unit can be utilized in emergency circumstances as well as during normal operational activities when additional personnel are necessary to augment the agency’s response to an event.

Reserve Deputies are required to work a minimum of eight hours per month, two special events per year and attend regularly scheduled meetings.  In addition, each member must attend regular trainings.

Applications are not being accepted at this time.

Inquiring individuals will need to meet essential requirements.  Minimum requirements are 21 years of age, have applied for a CCW at the time of oral board, a clear criminal history and a good driving record.  If you have questions regarding the Reserve Unit or would like further information, please contact Cpl. Joe Laferier or call (734) 973-4898.

Under Water Search and Recovery Team (USRT)

The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office Underwater Search and Recovery Team (USRT) is responsible for all water recovery incidents within the county. The Team is lead by Sgt. Paul Cook and is comprised of highly trained certified scuba divers from multiple divisions of the Sheriff’s Office. In addition to the recovery of drowned persons, the team also is crucial in recovery of criminal evidence and/or property put in the water to avoid detection.  The U.S.R.T ensures public safety by participating in local events throughout the County, such as ice swims and other charitable events. Through County, State, and Federal funding, the team is outfitted and trained with the latest equipment and technology. The Washtenaw County Sheriff's U.S.R.T. performs operations 24/7 year-round.