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| Officer Mike Cochran and Officer Gordon Franz prepare to enter Lake Bonnie during a recent night time Dive Team training session. |
DIVE TEAM
The LPD Dive Team was re-established in January of 2004 after a lengthy hiatus in which LPD relied on the Polk County Sheriff's Officer for underwater crime scene and recovery services. With the Dive Team back in action, we have shortened our response time and can assist other agencies as well. Our Dive Team and PCSO's have a working relationship and can be deployed jointly.
As of January of 2004, the Dive Team has had three call-outs and has received over 200 hours of free advanced training from FLDE in Underwater Crime Scene Proscessing and Homeland Security Operations.
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| A Lakeland PD diver makes his final adjustments before entering the water. |
The current team consists of seven members who have other full-time responsiblities in the Department. LPD also purchased four dry suits which are totally encapsulating so that the divers have some form of protection from the elements they will be diving in. The dry suit were purchased for just over $11,000 through the Law Enforcement Trust Fund.
The Dive Team also has a 14 foot boat and can call on PCSO's Dive Team if needed for extended operations or for more equipment/manpower.
Both PCSO and LPD Dive Teams were deployed together at the Lake Parker Splash-In as part of the annual Sun-n-Fun Fly-In Safety Team.
If you have any further questions, you can contact Sergeant Hans Lehman at hans.lehman@lakelandgov.net or Officer Gordon Franz at gordon.franz@lakelandgov.net
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