Captain Bill Probus
(706) 447-7628

The Patrol Division is the "backbone" and most visible division of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. The primary responsibility of the Patrol Division is to provide 24-hour protection and services to the citizens of and visitors to Columbia County. The division is comprised of 60 certified law enforcement officers and 10 school crossing guards. The Patrol Division is divided into four squads, which work two 12-hour shifts, four days on and four days off. Each squad operates with a lieutenant, a staff sergeant, a sergeant, and 13 deputies.

Approximately 290 square miles of Columbia County are divided into 10 patrol beats. Deputies are assigned permanent beats, allowing each beat deputy to become intimately familiar with his or her patrol area. This system has proven to be both highly effective and efficient.

The Patrol Division also operates a take home vehicle program, which allows vehicles to be assigned to individual deputies and permits quick response time to emergencies from their residences. The program has also proven to be highly cost effective as the per unit maintenance cost has been reduced due to better care and accountability.