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 have their own federal law enforcement officers to patrol these public lands, they generally enforce applicable federal laws.

Each day, a Special Services Deputy patrols these same federal lands, enforcing applicable state laws and responding to calls for service such as disputes, thefts, shooting complaints, illegal fires, and other requests for assistance. When they are not patrolling campgrounds, trailheads, and recreation areas, deputies oversee one of approximately 100 Search and Rescue (SAR) Missions that occur each year. These deputies are specially equipped and trained to operate in rural and forested areas and to manage SAR missions 24/7.

Special Services Deputies may also patrol or respond to calls by boat, snowmobile, ATV, or track rescue vehicle if necessary.