The Air Patrol is an all volunteer organization of pilots that provides aviation support services for the Marin County Sheriff’s Office. Currently there are 20 members.
It is a division of the Sheriff’s Office Field Service Bureau. (https://www.marinsheriff.org/about-us/field-service-bureau/air-patrol).
Patrol Flights are conducted on a regular basis in support of the Patrol Division.
Missions are flown in response to specific requests. Typical missions have included:
Aerial support for investigations (in coordination with ground units)
Photography in support of criminal or fire investigations
Aerial support at ongoing crime scenes (perimeter establishment, photography, evidence search )
Search and rescue (in coordination with SAR)
Agencies supported have included the Office of Emergency Services (OES), Search and Rescue (SAR), the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, the US Postal Service and other Marin County law enforcement agencies.
Requests for service can occur at any time. The Air Patrol’s Mission Coordinator is responsible for managing the response to a request, including the assignment of a flight crew.
The Air Patrol operates a 1977 Cessna 182Q. The aircraft was refurbished in 2017 which included a new engine, paint and an avionics upgrade.
Avionics include a MERA (Law enforcement) radio for communications with ground units and county dispatch and, individual Audio panels for each station (Pilot, Co-Pilot and Deputy).
The aircraft also has a loud hailer which has a broadcast range in the air of about 2 miles.
The plane is maintained in accordance with FAA regulations using licensed mechanics. It is based in a hangar at Gnoss Field which includes an office with Wi-Fi.