Dive Team Unit

The Pembroke Pines Police Department Dive Team, assigned to the Operations Bureau, is comprised of highly motivated and trained officers which are overseen by a supervisor and one Dive Master. Members are responsible for search and recovery operations for the numerous lakes and canals within the City limits.

Members

Members of the Dive Team are selected from all bureaus of the Police Department. Members assigned to the team work their normal duties and respond on an “on call” basis to any water-borne incidents.

Requirements

Each member applying to the team is required to have a minimum of an Open Water Certification from a nationally recognized dive organization. Once appointed to the team, each member are trained in Public Safety Diver, Dry Suit, Full Face Mask, and Dive Rescue I as a part of Dive Rescue International. Additionally, team members attend advanced training in search & recovery and limited visibility diving.

Training

The Dive Team trains monthly, and are activated for call outs and major events. All Dive Team officers are trained as Emergency Oxygen Providers.

Gear

The Dive Team was established in 1979 and currently has two dive boats. Each team member is issued dive and support gear by the department, which they carry with them. This gear includes underwater cameras and video equipment, underwater communications equipment, metal detectors, and numerous other tools to assist in search and recovery operations and the collection of evidence for court presentation.