Capt. Darren Harland

 1201 S. Industrial Blvd
Greensboro, Ga. 30642
Voice: 706-453-3351 ext 322
Fax: 706-453-3352
dharland@greeneso.org

There are different patrol strategies but here are some that we use at the Greene County Sheriff's Office:

• Aggressive Patrol - aka "crackdowns" (DUI / Driver's License Checkpoints).  These usually result from citizen complainants.
• Community Policing - to create a partnership between the law enforcment and the community to fight crime and solve problems.
• Directed Patrol - target specific times and locations 
• Saturation Patrol - doubling up resources for specific times and locations   

The division is comprised of 16 certified law enforcement officers that work four zones.  The division is divided into four shifts with every other weekend off.  Each shift operates with a Corporal as a supervisor who falls under the supervision of a Sergeant. The patrol division operates a take home vehicle policy which allows vehicles to be assigned to individual deputies and permits quick response times to emergencies from their residence.  This has proven to be highly cost effective as the per unit maintenance cost has been reduced allowing for better care and accountability for the vehicles.

Historically, there has been a number of purposes to patrol, but one view has predominated much of the twentieth century -- to be alert to anything that might jeopardize the comfort, safety and welfare to the people and to correct anything improper.  Here are some patrol objectives:

• defend life and property
• culivate positive attitudes - the patrol deputy is on the front lines of public relations; we strive to make sure our deputies get to know people by names and faces
• crime prevention - catch them before arrest becomes necessary
• crime repression - make people change their mind about committing a crime
• maintain order and peace - using non-arrest options; community policing

The knowledge requirements for being a patrol deputy are very complex and the following illustrates only a few requirements:

• Communication/Media - Knowledge of producing, sharing and delivering information
• Clerical - Knowledge of general office work
• Therapy/Counseling - Knowledge of how to give advice on social or personal problems
• Medicine - Knowledge of injuries, illnesses and setting up a plan for treatment
• Customer Service - Knowledge of providing services to customers based on needs

There are different methods of patrol but here are some that you will see in Greene County:

• Mobile Patrol - the most common form of patrol.  They can cover large areas in a short amount of time.  The patrol car is considered by most patrol deputies as an extension of their home. 
• Foot Patrol - historically the oldest form of patrol work, however, today in a fast paced society foot patrol only constitutes about 10 % of all policing.
• Watercraft Patrol - used to serve and protect the citizens/visitors of Greene County that enjoy Lake Oconee.