Blankheaderssd

The Sheboygan County Sheriff's Department has had a trained Dive Team since the early 1960's. The Dive Team has evolved over the years to incorporate new training and technology. The Dive Team is responsible for rescue and recovery attempts for drowning victims on all inland waterways and the waters of Lake Michigan. The Dive Team also assists in the recovery of evidence and property from waterways, swamps, and other inaccessible areas.

In January of 2000, the Sheboygan Police Department and the Sheriff's Department consolidated their dive team personnel, inventories, and vessels to provide all of the citizen's of Sheboygan County with a larger, better equipped dive team at a reduced cost to the taxpayers. This consolidation resulted in a greater utilization of resources and personnel. The combined team now is able to conduct training and actual responses in a more efficient manner. This is the first step in an effort by the Police Department and Sheriff's Department to better use the resources of both departments, furthering the services to the community.

Divers from the Sheboygan County Law Enforcement Dive Team are fully trained in a wide variety of areas, such as; ice diving, rescue and recovery, evidentiary search techniques, dry suit certification, open and advanced open water diving, as well as many other related certifications. All of the divers are required to maintain their certifications and keep their training current. Dive training is conducted throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions.

Dive equipment is issued to each diver, making them responsible for its maintenance. The Dive Team is led by Officer John Rupnick, of the Sheboygan Police Department, and Investigator Corey Norlander, of the Sheboygan County Sheriff's Department. Officer Runic and Investigator Norlander are responsible for the general oversight of all members equipment and training. The Sheriff's Department supplies the unit with the use of its two boats, a 22' Boston Whaler or 16' Smokercraft. Depending upon conditions and circumstances, the vessels of the United States Coast Guard can also be used.

The Sheboygan County Dive Team would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to observe all water safety requirements and regulations.

PLEASE WEAR YOUR PFD'S!

For further information on the Dive Team, please contact the Officer Rupnick at (920) 459-3333 or Investigator Norlander at (920) 459-3112.