Regional Services
The Regional Services Division delivers specialized law enforcement capabilities to the Sheriff's Office and is responsible for emergency management and homeland security services, law enforcement and public safety services that involve multiple agencies, and joint investigations that have a countywide impact.
Apprehension & Special Investigations
Apprehension Unit
The Apprehension Unit serves and executes arrest warrants issued by Ramsey County District Court (Second Judicial District) and other jurisdictions. This unit also has deputies assigned to the United States Marshals Service East Metro Fugitive Taskforce and the Minnesota Department of Corrections Fugitive Taskforce.
Special Investigations Unit (SIU)
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigates crimes that occur on county property and at county facilities, such as the Courthouse, Government Centers, parks, and waterways. SIU also investigates complex criminal cases including those that cross jurisdictional boundaries.
In addition, SIU tracks and monitors career criminals; assembles and shares criminal intelligence; works proactive investigations in cooperation with metro area law enforcement agencies; and dedicates deputies to multi agency taskforces combating terrorism and internet crimes against children. SIU also provides investigative assistance and technical expertise to other divisions in the Sheriff’s Office and for agencies throughout the state.
Contingency Operations Planning Service (COPS)
The Contingency Operations Planning Service (COPS) partners with local, state, and federal agencies, including Ramsey County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, to support a comprehensive and coordinated response to a variety of incidents including:
- Natural disasters,
- Man-made hazards,
- And terrorist attacks.
Through our partnerships with external police, fire, and emergency medical service providers, COPS facilitates a continuity of communications and awareness to help provide citizens with necessary information to prepare for and respond to disasters. COPS members also coordinate with multiple agencies to train first responders and participate in and coordinate disaster exercises.
Mobile Field Force (MFF)
The Sheriff's Office developed the Mobile Field Force (MFF) in 2007, in anticipation of public safety needs for the Republican National Convention that was to be hosted in Saint Paul the following year.
The MFF is a highly-trained team that can rapidly deploy to ensure the safety and protection of people and property during civil unrest. The MFF has scalable options that allow it to meet the needs of a wide range of circumstances, events, and timelines. The Bicycle Rapid Response Team (BRRT) is a unit within the MFF. The MFF responds, in some capacity, about six to ten times per year. During most responses, the MFF serves as a soft perimeter for those expressing their first amendment rights.
Ramsey Tactical Information Center (RTIC)
The Ramsey Tactical Information Center (RTIC), a joint effort with the Saint Paul Police Department, is designed to provide live, on-demand information to law enforcement agencies in Ramsey County as a supplement to the Emergency Communications Center. RTIC monitors calls for service and disseminates additional information to law enforcement officers in the field.
Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team
The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team is a regional response team composed of highly trained deputies from the Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Maplewood Police Department, Mounds View Police Department, Metro Transit Police Department, Roseville Police Department, North St. Paul Police Department, St. Anthony Police Department, University of Minnesota Police Department, the New Brighton Department of Public Safety, and the White Bear Lake Police Department.
When called upon, the SWAT Team provides tactical assistance during critical incidents. This team’s mission is to bring a peaceful resolution to high-risk situations while maintaining the highest regard for human life and property.
Circumstances where SWAT may be deployed include:
- Hostage situations,
- Barricaded suspect situations,
- Active shooter/sniper events,
- Dignitary protection details,
- High risk warrant service,
- Civil disturbances,
- And tactical training for Sheriff’s Office and other agencies.
Violent Crime Enforcement Team (VCET)
The Violent Crime Enforcement Team (VCET) is an East Metro multi-agency law enforcement task force comprised of deputies from the Sheriff's Office along with officers from the Saint Paul, Roseville, Mounds View, Maplewood, White Bear Lake, and New Brighton Police Departments and agents from the United Stated Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). Additional partners include the Ramsey County Attorney's Office and the Minnesota National Guard Counter-Drug Task Force.
VCET targets enforcement efforts on narcotics distributors, violent offenders, gang members, and career criminals to stop the flow of narcotics and weapons to our region. VCET also provides assistance to other agencies and offers public education and awareness to our communities on drugs, gangs, and violent offenders.
Watch Commander
The Watch Commander ensures the continued operations of the Sheriff’s Office beyond regular office hours by monitoring operations, advising staff on matters of policy and procedure, performing inspections, reviewing activities/reports and arrests, and notifying personnel of issues and incidents. Watch Commanders work during the evening and early morning hours, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.