Forest Patrol

With more than 1.5 million acres of U.S. Forest Service and 750,000+ acres of BLM land in Deschutes County, law enforcement resources can often be stretched thin. While the Forest Service and BLM do have their own federal law enforcement officers to patrol these public lands, they generally enforce applicable federal laws.

A Sheriff’s Office “co-op” deputy patrols these same federal lands, enforcing applicable state laws. This deputy, equipped with the necessary specialized equipment, patrols campgrounds, trailheads and recreation areas, responding to calls as they arise. These may include domestic disturbance calls, shooting complaints, illegal fires, loud party complaints and theft calls. The deputy also responds to Search and Rescue calls, participates in snowmobile patrols during the winter months and may ride along with Marine Patrol units when the quickest or only access to a call is by water.