Patrol Division
The Patrol Division is housed in the Justice and Law Enforcement Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Division Commander is Captain Don Young. There are six sergeants who provide supervision to the thirty-one deputies who make up the patrol element of the Office. All deputies are state commissioned with jurisdictional powers within Lancaster County inclusive of the City of Lincoln. Interlocal agreements with other law enforcement agencies outline primary and secondary responders to mutual aid calls requiring law enforcement presence. Other agencies having jurisdiction within all or part of Lancaster County include the Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln Police Department, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department.

Lancaster County

Lancaster County encompasses both urban and rural settings. Lincoln is a city of approximately 225,000 people. An additional 26,000 citizens reside outside the Lincoln city limits. Lincoln is home to the State Capitol and the Unicameral, Nebraska's one-house legislative body. The accompanying state government networks are based in Lincoln as well as the University of Nebraska. Lincoln is the second largest city in Nebraska.

Lincoln and Lancaster County are home to several internationally known businesses including Kawasaki, Duncan Aviation, Goodyear, Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad, Novartis, and Pfizer.

Outside of Lincoln, Lancaster County encompasses 839 square miles and contains 23 cities and villages. Several towns have contracts with the Sheriff's Office to provide specified patrol while other communities are patrolled regularly by district deputies. Additionally, there are approximately a dozen state lakes and recreation areas which draw large crowds during Nebraska's warmer seasons.

This wide variety of settings and happenings provides deputies with an assortment of experiences and opportunities.

Patrol Division

Deputies who work in the Patrol Division have the opportunity to become well-rounded law enforcement officers. A deputy's responsibilities include both traffic and criminal enforcement. Deputies are assigned a geographic district for purposes of patrolling and responding to calls for service. Deputies have the ability to determine methods and location of enforcement within their district. A high level of self-initiated activity is expected, and deputies are encouraged to provide proactive enforcement whenever possible.

Calls for service of a criminal nature are initially investigated by patrol deputies, and follow-up is conducted by the patrol deputy unless additional expertise, exceptional time commitment, or multiple case coordination is needed. Cases meeting these criteria will normally be transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division with the patrol deputy remaining involved in the investigation.

Programs
Deputies also have the opportunity to expand their abilities and experience by their involvement in specialized programs.

The Tactical Response Unit consists of deputies and sergeants who receive special training to address barricaded subjects/hostage situations, service of high risk warrants, and other situations requiring specialized skills. The unit consists of deputies and sergeants who have been selected after completing competitive written, physical, and psychological testing. Much of the TRU members' equipment is carried with them on duty to enhance their response when needed.

The canine program currently utilizes one four-legged member, Haas, with his handler Deputy Brent Moore. The canine is used for building and drug searches as well as tracking suspects.

The Sheriff's Office also takes advantage of deputies' special interests and training by having specialized investigators in accident reconstruction, crime scene processing, child interviews, and animal abuse.

Vehicles

The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office (LSO) utilizes a variety of vehicles in its enforcement activities. LSO cruisers are distinguishable by their white color, gold and black striping on the sides, and the gold seven-point star on the front doors. LSO cruisers are equipped with modern multi-directional overhead emergency light systems or inside the window LED/strobe lights on the "slick-top" traffic units. Several years ago, Sgt. Andrew Stebbing conducted a study on the effectiveness of an externally front-mounted siren compared to a siren mounted behind the front grille. As a result of this study the siren has been externally mounted on front push bumpers in order to increase the distance of the siren's output when traveling at higher speeds.

All patrol vehicles are equipped with an 800 megahertz trunked radio system. An Emergency Communications Center dispatches deputies, as well as officers from the Lincoln Police Department, to calls for service. The system also enables the UNL Police Department, Lincoln Fire Department, Public Works, Lincoln Airport Authority, and other local agencies to communicate jointly on a shared channel for mutual aid responses or emergency disasters.

A four-wheel drive Ford Explorer or Chevy Blazer is assigned to each patrol supervisor. This SUV carries emergency equipment to supplement a deputy's equipment at emergency scenes and includes traffic cones, portable barricades, crime scene tape, and crime/accident scene processing equipment. The utility vehicles are also used by patrol deputies during inclement winter weather.

Patrol deputies currently drive Ford Crown Victoria police interceptors. The "Crown Vic" is a full-size car capable of carrying a deputy's necessary basic equipment as well as a partition or "cage" that safely protects the deputy from prisoners being transported in the rear passenger area.

All patrol cars are equipped with mobile radar units. Many of these radars are same-lane dual mode radar units. Some of the cars are also equipped with in-car video cameras to enhance prosecution in criminal and traffic cases. Newer vehicles also have mobile data terminals or MDTs. The computers are mounted in the patrol car and save time over radio checks through a dispatcher. The computers are used to check individuals for warrants and run their drivers license. Cruisers are assigned to the individual deputy and are driven home by that deputy at the conclusion of his/her shift.

The Office also utilizes specialized vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles and bicycles for use at area lakes, recreational trails, and city patrol.

Uniform
All uniforms and equipment are issued by the Sheriff's Office, with the exception of footwear. As guidelined in Nebraska statutes, the official uniform of an LSO deputy consists of a dark brown shirt and jacket, pink-tan trousers, and complementary colored black leather duty belt and holster. Silver badges, name plates, and identifying insignia are issued to deputies, and gold insignia and accesories are issued to those of sergeant rank and higher.

The Smith and Wesson 4006TSW .40 caliber handgun is issued to patrol deputies. Remington 870 12 gauge shotguns or Ruger Mini 14 .223 caliber rifles are issued to patrol personnel to supplement the handguns. OC pepper spray and collapsible batons are examples of other issued equipment.

County Sheriff