Bureau of Patrol Support
The
Tactical Operations Unit is the region's only fully dedicated Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and maintains a high degree of readiness to serve the Department in a variety of situations. Eighteen police officers, two sergeants and a captain maintain 24-hour readiness to meet the tactical or special needs of our Department or any requesting agency. The Unit is capable of dealing with hostage situations, armed and barricaded subjects, suicidal persons and executes all search warrants issued in St. Louis County. Other duties include dignitary protection such as Presidential motorcades, crowd control, coordinating large-scale ground searches, and funeral escorts for prominent citizens and honor guards at funerals and other special functions. The Tactical Operations Unit continually updates and maintains the latest in tactical equipment, technology and training, enabling it to successfully complete any mission in the safest manner possible, thus retaining its rich tradition of being one of the finest tactical units in the nation.
The
Metro Air Support Unit, initially organized as the Flight Operations Unit in 1971, merged with the Tactical Operations Unit in 1989. Chief Jerry Lee explored options that successfully revitalized the Unit, making it more cost effective and productive. A consolidated flight unit was initiated by merging operations with the
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 
and the
St. Charles County Sheriff's Department. The Air Support Unit consists of one St. Louis County and one St. Louis Metropolitan sergeant; four St. Louis County and four St. Louis Metropolitan police officers, along with one St. Charles County deputy. The Unit is equipped with five helicopters utilizing the latest in night vision and GIS technology, and one fixed wing aircraft. These resources enhance our ability to provide services that include aerial surveillances and searches as well as high-rise building and swift water rescue. Additionally, the Unit routinely monitors major industrial installations and infrastructure that may be potential terrorist targets. The
Metro Airborne Law Enforcement Foundation, enlisting local area corporate sponsors, is in place to ensure that this valuable resource will remain viable for years to come.
The
Spirit of St. Louis Airport Detail, which is a subordinate group within the Unit, was formed shortly after the events of September 11, 2001.
This Detail of six officers provides 24-hour patrol presence and support for the County's general aviation airport. This Detail also provides security for special events and dignitaries arriving and departing via private aircraft. In addition, it performs an integral function in the credentialing system for access control to the airport property. Being one of the first police units employed in this capacity, it has received numerous inquiries from throughout the nation regarding its organization and procedures.
The
Police Canine Unit consists of one sergeant and six police officers. Since March of 2005 the Police Canine Unit has provided Canine services to the St. Louis County Police Department. The unit utilizes specially trained dogs in suspect apprehension, searching for lost/missing persons, narcotics detection, and locating explosives and other evidence. The Unit assists Tactical Operations during tactical situations.
The
Highway Safety Unit consists of one sergeant and six officers. Established in 2002, with a
grant provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Unit engages in traffic law enforcement on State and interstate highways in St. Louis County with the goal of voluntary compliance and a reduction in the number of motor vehicle accidents. Since it's inception the Unit has issued over 40,000 citations and, with the periodic use of sobriety checkpoints, has arrested over 950 intoxicated drivers. The Highway Safety Unit recently entered into a partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation and Monsanto in promoting the use of an educational curriculum known as
"CRASH, The Science of Collisions". The program assists area high schools with implementing traffic safety benefits with science and learning. The unit is an active member in the local
Coalition of the Blueprint for Roadway Safety program.