Search and Rescue Recruiting

PCSO Patch

Sergeant Richard Bittick
Search and Rescue Coordinator
503-623-9254

 

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is looking for adventurous individuals who enjoy the outdoors and like helping others. We are always recruiting for ground search/support team members as well as individuals interested in being part of a newly formed specialized response team. Specialized response team members are members who own either a 4-wheel drive vehicle, all terrain vehicles (ATV’s), horses, jet skis or snowmobiles.

Applicants should be in good health, able to walk long distances and be able to walk in difficult terrain. The Sheriff’s Office will provide all of the training to those who are interested and who successfully pass an oral interview and criminal background check. Applicants must be 18 years of age and have a good driving record. Those that successfully complete the academy will become a State Certified Search and Rescue member.

For more information, contact the Search and Rescue Coordinator, Sgt. Richard Bittick at 503-623-9254.

Application:

The deadline is December 15th of each year.

Download the Polk County Volunteer Application. Please complete the application and mail to:

Polk County Sheriff's Office
850 Main Street
Dallas, OR 97338

Process:

1. Submit the volunteer application.
2. You will be contacted for an interview. Volunteer criteria include:

  • Pass a police background and, if applicable, a driver's license check.
  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Satisfactory completion of the 60-hour SAR Academy.
  • Possess a current, valid Oregon driver's license.
  • Possess current First Aid and CPR certificates.

3. Satisfactory completion of both a field and written test.
4. Satisfactory completion of a mock search.

Once you have completed these four steps, you will be have the opportunity to take an Oath of Office and will be considered a certified member of the Polk County Search and Rescue Team.

Ongoing Requirements for Volunteers:

Certified volunteers are required to complete 30 hours of ongoing training each calendar year, in addition to the original 60 hours of training through the SAR Academy. They also must attend monthly meetings and participate in mock searches.