Chester County, PA

06/05/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/05/2025 11:54

Chester County Sheriff’s Office Strengthens Special Operations Units to Enhance Public Safety

The Chester County Sheriff's Office continues to strengthen and expand its Special Operations Units, reinforcing its commitment to proactive law enforcement and public safety. These specialized teams play a vital role in high-risk response, apprehension of dangerous individuals, and community protection.

"Our Special Operations Units are a critical force multiplier for the county," said Chester County Sheriff Kevin Dykes. "They allow us to respond swiftly, strategically, and safely in the most complex and urgent scenarios while continuing to build trust through professional and disciplined policing."

As part of its broader commitment to operational readiness and commitment, the Sheriff's Office is investing in critical operation units such as Fugitive Apprehension, Motorcycle, K-9, Field Force Operations, and Protective Intelligence.

Fugitive Apprehension Unit (FAU)

The FAU focuses on tracking and apprehending individuals with outstanding warrants, including those wanted for violent or serious crimes. Deputies assigned to this unit work closely with local, state, and federal agencies to locate and remove high-risk individuals from the community. Their intelligence-led approach enhances officer safety and reduces threats to the public. Strengthening this unit increases the ability of the office to act swiftly and reduce community risk.

Motorcycle Unit

The Motorcycle Unit provides high-visibility patrol and supports special events, escorts, and rapid-response needs. These deputies are highly trained in defensive maneuvering, motorcade coordination, and public engagement. They serve as a symbol of both tradition and agility, often participating in community outreach events and ceremonial functions.

K-9 Unit

The K-9 Unit is currently undergoing a strategic expansion to meet increasing operational demands. The unit now includes five certified K-9s, two of which are special K-9 deputies from the Chester County Prison, with more dogs expected to join in the near future. These teams play a vital role in narcotics detection, suspect tracking, evidence recovery, and public demonstrations. In addition to supporting investigations, the K-9 Unit strengthens community outreach by bridging the gap between public safety enforcement and education.

Field Force Operations Unit

This unit is designed to manage large-scale events and incidents involving crowd control or civil unrest. The team includes three certified instructors and is in the process of ensuring all deputies receive Field Force Operations training. The unit emphasizes de-escalation, mobility, and public order management in rapidly evolving situations-enhancing the office's readiness and effectiveness in protecting people and property.

Protective Intelligence Unit

The Protective Intelligence Unit focuses on identifying, assessing, and managing threats to public officials, government buildings, and high-risk environments. Leveraging both proactive intelligence gathering and interagency collaboration, this unit monitors behaviors of concern and potential security risks. The goal is early intervention and continuous threat mitigation. The unit's integration into daily operations reflects the office's commitment to prevention, preparedness, and safety.

Together, these specialized teams provide a comprehensive, adaptable response capability that complements the Sheriff's Office's mission to serve the public with integrity and professionalism.

"These units are a reflection of our office's investment in modern, highly skilled law enforcement," said Sheriff Dykes. "From high-risk warrants to community events, they ensure we are prepared, trained, and equipped to keep Chester County safe."

Chester County, PA published this content on June 05, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 05, 2025 at 17:54 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io