SHERIFF'S PATROL DIVISION
Division Commander: Major
Robert White (478) 621-5603
Operations Commander: Captian Charlie Gunnels (478) 621-5608
Special Units Commander (Communications, H.E.A.T, S.T.E.P and Motor Units): Captain Harry Colbert (478) 621-5546
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Patrol has the responsibility to protect
the lives and property of the residents of Bibb County and all visitors
within the jurisdiction of Bibb County. The patrol actively works to prevent
and detect all violators of city and county ordinances, along with state
and federal statues.
The Sheriff’s Patrol also provides a variety of other related services that improve and enhance the quality of life of all citizens and insure peace and tranquility within our neighborhoods and our commercial area. Some of these services include a Special Weapons and Tactical Team (SWAT), an Explosive Ordinance Unit (EOD), a Hostage Negotiation Unit and a Junior Deputy Unit. The Sheriff’s Junior Deputy Unit serves as a source of information, providing learning programs to school children from kindergarten through the twelfth grades.
The Bibb County Sheriff's Office continues to respond to community needs by creating sub-stations to better serve geographic areas of the county. The first sub station located at 8097 Lower Thomaston Road was opened in December 2003 and serves the western portion of Bibb County. The newest substation; located at the Bibb Sheriff’s Training Range on Confederate Way, serves East Bibb County. Plans for a South Bibb substation are under way. The Sheriff’s Office divides Patrol duties into three territories:
- North & East Bibb County
- South Bibb County
- West Bibb County
Lt. Mark Franks (478) 621-5605
Sgt. James Lary
Lt. Richard Crooms (478) 621-5606
Sgt. Steve Watruba
Lt. Billy Savage (478) 935-8479
Sgt. Wendy Underwood
OBJECTIVES:
- To increase patrol of the residences and businesses of Bibb County.
- To continue to use Public Service Announcements (PSA) and personal contact with the public to reduce crime and accidents.
- Continue to promote involvement of children in crime prevention awareness ALL YEAR LONG.
- To increase the number of patrol personnel and pursuit vehicles to enhance patrol activities.
- To enforce the DUI/drug traffic laws.
- To reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities associated with drugs and alcohol.
- To create public awareness of the hazards of drinking, using drugs
and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Fatal Accident Investigation Team
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Team is part of the Patrol division and is commanded
by Sgt. Brad Wolfe. The unit is comprised of Patrol deputies with varying levels of advanced training in the fields
of accident investigation and reconstruction. They respond to all fatal traffic accidents as well as many of those
resulting in severe injury. The unit incorporates the latest technology such as laser mapping to create scale diagrams
of accident scenes while performing all aspects of accident investigation and reconstruction such as: scene examination,
locating, marking, preserving and photographing evidence. These investigators use their specialized training to make
determinations as to whether prosecution is warranted in a particular case. Fatality investigators then work closely
with the district attorney’s office and state court solicitors in litigating these cases. Team members volunteer
for this assignment in addition to their regular Patrol duties.
DEPARTMENT: ANIMAL CONTROL
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Animal Control Unit has the responsibility to enforce the county ordinance regulating dogs in unincorporated Bibb County. The Animal Control Officers must pick up all stray dogs, investigate all reports of violations of the Bibb County Leash Ordinance, issue citations where necessary and investigate reports of cruelty to animals. They will work with Patrol deputies and the Health Department on all dog bite cases.
The two animal control officer’s work diligently to detect, and where appropriate, cite the violators.
The Communications Division is a link between the citizens of Bibb County and the deputies in the field. Communications dispatch emergency units when needed and provide vital information via radio during investigations and arrests. Communications provide a 24-hour communications link between the Sheriff’s Office and other Law Enforcement agencies throughout the country.
Warrant Division serves all types of warrants from misdemeanors to felonies. This division also transports fugitives from local and out of state agencies. Warrant division also processes court ordered production orders. Maintain records of assigned vehicles and equipment and their maintenance.
Sheriff's Training is an important component of the Sheriff's Office. There must be constant training and practice of proven concepts so that law enforcement procedures are retained. At the same time there must an infusion of new ideas and modern techniques to keep the department from becoming stagnant.
The principle functions of the training section are:
To properly orient and train entry-level deputies.
To provide consistent instruction and supervision in the use of firearms
To provide annual in-service training for all department employees in
new laws, techniques, and procedures.
To oversee and administer the mandated twenty hours of annual training
required by the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) council
and the additional twenty hours of annual training required by the Sheriff.
The duties of the training director are:
To provide overall supervision for all officers and employees under his/her
command, subject to directives from the Sheriff.
To ensure employee compliance with Sheriff's Office policies, procedures,
regulations, and personnel management systems.
To keep employees updated on changes in both the law and operational policies
and procedures.
To administer the physical training course exam for potential employees.
To schedule personnel to conduct classes teaching law enforcement techniques
and procedures.
SWAT Team
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons, Assault and Tactics Team (SWAT) was formed in the early 70’s to handle high risk situations that may arise in Bibb County. SWAT members are volunteers and have to pass physical agility, mental agility and firearms tests before being selected for the team. SWAT members are constantly training to keep their skills at a higher than average level. The Bibb County Sheriff’s SWAT Team stands ready twenty-four hours a day seven days a week to handle covert as well as overt operations; that include hostage situations, high risk arrests and high risk search warrants. Our SWAT Team is always ready to assist other agencies when the need arises.
SWAT Commander Capt. Harry Colbert
Sniper Team Leader: Lt. Brooks Peterson
Vehicle Maintenance: Lt. John Sears (478) 621-5553
Responsible for maintenance, inventory of equipment, and repairs needed on vehicles. Keeps abreast of safety issues and recalls on vehicles.
This information is made available to the public and law enforcement in the interest of public safety.
Any unauthorized use of this information is forbidden and subject to criminal prosecution.