In 2019, the remote pilots of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit flew over 40 missions with assignments ranging from crime scene photography as part of homicide arson, and narcotics investigations, to tactical over watch during SWAT operations, search and rescue missions and public demonstrations.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, as known as drones, are small crafts which carry cameras with the purpose to deliver decision-quality data to incident commanders. The drone provides a unique aerial perspective to enhance the decision making as other teams conduct the duties that are historically part of the Sheriff’s Office. Some of the systems are equipped for night operations with spotlights and thermal cameras to enhance the safety of the deputy on the ground.
The Sheriff's UAS team is taking an active leadership role in this rapidly evolving field, working hard to serve El Dorado County with the most up to date technology. They participate with both regional and national teams.
Unmanned Aerial Systems
Psychiatric Emergency Response Team
17
PERT Activities
Contacts
Safety Plans
Holds Placed
Voluntary Transports
709
405
27
33
The Psychiatric Emergency Response Team
(PERT) is a cooperative effort between the
Sheriff’s Office and El Dorado County Health and
Human Services Agency. The team is staffed with
a Deputy and a Behavioral Health Clinician who
respond to in progress mental health calls. This
teams assists patrol deputies with these calls
that are often time consuming, allowing the
patrol deputy to return to patrol quicker. PERT
ensures the client has a safety plan or is taken
to the hospital for a mental health hold.
When PERT is not responding to calls, they are
following up with clients to ensure their mental
health needs are met. If necessary, PERT can
refer the client to county services in a proactive
effort to assist in reducing further calls for
service. They also meet as part of the Multi-
Disciplinary team to review cases monthly.
The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) assists PERT
with follow-ups and contacting people in crisis
on calls for service. CIT is made up of deputies
on a collateral basis who attend additional CIT
trainings in order to better assist those who are
currently suffering a mental crisis. CIT
members also assist PERT with managing
caseloads so the deputy is more familiar with
each person and their needs. CIT and PERT work
closely with El Dorado County Mental Health,
Marshall Hospital and several other entities
within the county.
The Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) is made up of
personnel from various services around the
county. The team incorporates outside agencies
such as Mental Health, Adult Protective Services,
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Homeless
Outreach Team, Code Enforcement, Local
Hospitals, State Parole, County Probation, the
Public Defender’s office and the District
Attorney's Office. MDT conducts monthly
meetings where mental health consumers are
discussed with various entities, in order to
ensure that they are receiving the best options
for care that the county can provide. The
monthly meetings occur in both Placerville and
South Lake Tahoe.