INVESTIGATIONS

Bike Patrol Unit

 There has been an increase in deploying the Bike Patrol Unit in the Liberty Township area due to having an increase in population and a new Liberty Center Mall.  The Bike Patrol, besides their daily routine of patrol, is also involved in riot situations, parades, school functions, and are concentrated in high-theft areas of neighborhoods, the Butler County Fair and different bike runs that require the presence of the Sheriff’s office.  Bike Patrol Personnel, throughout the year, bring their bikes with them mounted on their patrol units so they can utilize the bikes at any giving time during their daily patrol. 

Equipment and Training

The Bike Patrol Unit has been in the process of updating all their equipment. At the end of 2016 and beginning of 2017, seven (7) new bikes were purchased for the Bike Unit to replace the older bicycles in the fleet. Newer up-to-date uniforms that consist of specialized rainproof jackets and pants that are flexible yet keep the bike patrol personnel warm and dry. As the weather breaks, the Bike Patrol Unit is utilized more often.

Court Security Unit

Court Security is supervised by Sgt. Jason Owens, who has 20 deputies under his command.  These deputies provide security for the Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Court, Area l in Oxford, Area ll inside the Historical Courthouse in Hamilton, and Area lll in West Chester.  Outside the court they are responsible for security at Children Services.  These deputies specialize in making sure the courts run as safely as possible.

Screening and Transportation to Court

Various methods are used to enhance courtroom safety while screening courtroom visitors. Court Services personnel use metal detectors (walk-through and hand-held devices), x-ray machines, and if need arises, a physical pat-down.

Prisoners housed in the Butler County Jail have to be transported to the various county courts for their respective trials and hearings. Although the Court Security Unit is not directly responsible for the transporting of the prisoners, Court Security deputies manage the prisoners while in court. Prisoners/inmates are often transported in groups to the court buildings where they are placed in holding cell areas. Prisoners then must be escorted to the individual courtrooms to ensure they remain in custody and arrive safely before the judge or magistrate.

SWAT Team

The Butler County Regional SWAT Team responds to various situations, including barricade situations, hostage situations, search warrants for criminal investigations, drug investigations, fugitive apprehension, and search warrants for other agencies outside of Butler County.  Annual training includes vehicle/bus assaults, dynamic entries, stealth tactics, hostage rescue, barricaded subjects, school crisis/active shooter response, and man-down rescue. Members of the team also have to pass a bi-annual physical agility test to remain an active member on the Butler County Regional SWAT Team. 

Vehicles

The two armored vehicles for use by the SWAT team are housed at the Butler County Sheriff’s Office. One of them is a Lenco BearCat purchased with a grant. The vehicle is not only armored for assault-type situations, but is also equipped with its own oxygen supply for use in hazardous materials situations. Those in the vehicle will be equipped with oxygen tanks, but will plug into the vehicle’s supply while inside to conserve their supply and will then disconnect to exit and deal with the problem.

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