Click here for other contact numbers        Dispatch:  269-657-3101        Admin:  269-657-2006      Jail Information:  269-657-2171


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  Special Services



  Crash Investigator    Crime Technicians    Dive Team    Emergency Services Unit
Honor Guard    K-9 unit    Mounted Division    Snowmobile Patrol
Snowmobile Safety Certification Program   Snowmobile Statistics

Click on blue underlined links for more information.
 

The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office is supported by numerous special units that assist in the professional operation of the department.

There are three groups of volunteers that not only support our agency, but also other agencies and all citizens in our county. They are the Van Buren County Mounted Division, the Van Buren County Victim Services Unit and the Van Buren County Reserve Deputies. We have a total of 54 volunteers in these units that assist victims of crimes, augment our full-time employees in law enforcement and security details.

Crash Investigator
Deputies Brian Matthews and Kyle Romeo are certified Traffic Crash Reconstructionist. They have  attended many sessions which qualify them to make detailed investigations into tire marks, minimum speed calculations, vehicle vaults, vehicle lamps as well as other areas of crash data.

Crime Technicians
This unit consists of 12 deputies who are certified Crime Scene Technicians. These deputies are responsible for processing the scene of crimes and also the processing of certain evidence to the crime lab.

Dive Team
As the Sheriff's Office is responsible for all waters within the County (113 Lakes in which 78 have access), the dive team performs search and rescue operations. The dive team will also search for evidence as needed. The dive team has 7 active, certified divers, along with 3 support personnel. The dive team not only is responsible for jurisdiction of all the inland lakes, but a stretch of Lake Michigan between Allegan and Berrien Counties.
Emergency Services Unit
The Emergency Services Unit (ESU) consists of 15 certified officers, Including 2 liaison officers and 2 team leaders. The ESU is available to all county law enforcement agencies, but is mainly used by the Narcotic's Division in the execution of search warrants and apprehension of wanted subjects. All officers are highly trained in their specific function and continue to train on a monthly basis.
Honor Guard
The Honor Guard consists of 6 members and will perform duties as needed at Memorial services, parades, special occasions, and funerals. All 6 officers are trained in proper protocol and procedure and are looking forward to functioning in their professional capacity for their special duty.
K-9 Unit
     Deputy Kevin VanBrussel (269-657-3101), Sergeant Scott Schmitt (269-657-3101 Ext. 828) and Deputy Tony Evans (269-657-3101 Ext. 802) are the K-9 officers for the department.
     Deputy VanBrussel's partner, Xack, is a male German Shepherd born on July 7th, 2001. Xack is certified in tracking and drug detection, and already has numerous felony arrests and apprehensions to his credit. Deputy Schmitt's partner is Xago. Sergeant Schmitt and Xago are also credited with numerous felony arrests and apprehensions. Xago is also certified in tracking and drug detection.
     Deputy Evan's partner is Goliath which is also a male German Shepherd, and is a tracking and drug dog that is already also credited with several drug related arrests and apprehensions.
     Xago is the brother to Xack Vom Schafer See, in which both K-9's were acquired through Schafer Lake Kennels in Lawrence. Goliath has the same father as Xack and Xago and was purchased in Indianapolis, Indiana.
     All three K-9's will assist local and State Police agencies when needed. Xack, Xago, and Goliath are great additions and members of the Sheriff's Office.


Snowmobile Patrol
Annual Report - The Snowmobile Division patrolled 184.5 (285) hours, made 842 (256) contacts, issued 54 (29) citations, gave 70 (97) verbal warnings, and investigated 17 (28) complaints.

The annual Department of Natural Recourses (DNR) grant provides funding for wages, officer equipment, two snowmobiles, and trailer so that officers can patrol the trails within the county.

Respectfully,
Bryan R. Stump D/Lt.
01/2010

Snowmobile Safety Certification Program

January 8, 2011

 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  
at the
Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office
Emergency Operation Center.
Pre-registration required.


     With the snowmobile season in progress, Sheriff Dale R. Gribler would like to announce that the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, working in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Gobles Driftbusters Snowmobile Club, offers this 2010-2011 Snowmobile Safety Certification Presentation.  This program covers Michigan laws and how to safely operate snowmobiles during this winter season. The class is designed for people of all ages who are interested in safe snowmobiling, but snowmobile safety certificates are required for persons 12-16 years of age who wish to operate a snowmobile. The class is limited to the first 40 students enrolled; pre-registraion is required.. There is no cost for Van Buren County residents.

According to Michigan Law:

  • A person under the age of 12 may not operate a snowmobile without the direct supervision of the parent or guardian except on the property owned or controlled by the parent and may not cross a highway or street.

  • A  person who is at least 12, but less than 17 years of age, may operate a snowmobile under direct supervision of a person 21 years of age or older or have in their immediate possession a valid snowmobile safety certificate.

  • A person who is at least 12, but not less than 17 years of age, may not cross a highway or a street without having a valid snowmobile safety certificate in their immediate possession.

     Those interested in attending are asked to register on-line below.  Registration may also be made by telephone with Sergeant Scott Schmitt or Sergeant David Walker at 269-657-3101 extension 3801 or 3821. 
    
This certification class usually last 7 hours .Participants should bring a Sack Lunch.
     Sheriff Gribler wishes to remind persons that modern snowmobiles are capable of high rates of speed far beyond the ability of a driver to react in sufficient time to take preventative action.  All drivers should:  Slow down, don’t drink, and live to enjoy Michigan’s Winter Wonderland.

Snowmobile Class Registration

*Required entries MUST be completed
below before submitting your request.

  * Full Name: 

  * Address: 

  * City, State, Zip: 

  * Phone: (include area code)

    Parental contact phone #: (If under 17 years of age)

   * Age: yrs.

     Email: (Include entire email adr)

Comments:  

You will receive a returned email with your registration confirmation.

 

Click here to download class information.


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