Marine Patrol Staffing

The City of Mercer Island has placed a priority on its marine patrol with full-time staffing. The unit is operated with a full-time Marine Patrol Supervisor, and a Marine Patrol Technician and 17 part-time/relief personnel,(which enables the unit to have a 24-hour emergency response).

Key Benefits

• 24-hour availability, 365 days/year.
• Professional response to all water related emergencies.

Marine Law Enforcement Officers

All of the officers that work in the marine unit have passed the state law enforcement academy and have worked at least 2 years in the patrol section.

After applying, testing and being asked into the marine unit, the officers complete in-house training as well as the Washington State Boating Officers Academy where they receive specific instruction in marine law enforcement. The officers then return for additional in-house training prior to active patrol work. Officers are also sent to the State Fire Academy for Maritime Firefighting instruction.

A few officers within the unit have received specialized training in the following areas:

• Boating safety education.
• Accident and fraud investigation.
• Boat based water rescue.
• Dive rescue.
• Underwater crime scene investigation.