Our Team

The unit is made up of two types of members: Citizen Volunteers and Reserve Deputies: doctors, active-duty military personnel, business leaders, firemen, paramedics and other professionals united by a common interest in diving and community-service. Most members are citizen volunteers, but we will both encourage and assist you in exploring opportunities to become a sworn law-enforcement officer.

While we expect you to be a capable and safe diver, we do not expect you to be proficient in this type of diving without prior dive recovery experience. Our training program will provide you with the additional skills required to effectively and safely operate in these environments and conditions.

Our Mission

On-call 24-hours a day, seven days a week, we search for and recover evidence, human remains and other material relevant to criminal investigations. No body of water is off limits; we dive the County’s shorelines, rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Most dives are conducted in zero-visibility conditions where underwater lights and navigational aides will prove of little use to the success of the dive operation. These conditions make our dives both challenging and unique.

What's Required

• Any diver certified by a nationally recognized agency may apply for membership in our unit
• Must be a U.S. citizen or a Lawfully Admitted Permanent Resident
• Over 18 years old
• Have a high-school diploma (or GED Certificate)
• Own and maintain your own set of diving gear
• A background investigation 

Application Process

After successfully completing a telephone screening interview with a dive unit staff member, you will receive an application to complete. Following an in-person interview, we will accept your application, at which point you will begin the background and medical screening process. Upon selection, you will be issued a department ID Card and uniforms.

Contact

Reserve Sergeant Denise Cable (Lead)
Phone: 858-245-3443
E-mail: denise.cable@sdsheriff.org   

Reserve Sergeant Craig Gottlieb (Recruiting)
Phone: 760-672-9530
E-mail: craig.gottlieb@sdsheriff.org