Transport Unit

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TRANSPORT UNIT

In conjunction with state and federal guidelines, the Stillwater Police Department (SPD) incorporated the Transport Unit to assist with the transportation of persons, who may be a risk to themselves or others, to the appropriate medical facility.

Currently, the Transport Unit consists of two individuals, Bruce and Rhonda Griffin, who have been the team for SPD since 1996. Specifically, their main functions are to:

Transport individuals to the appropriate medical or detention facility, or court hearing
Assist patrol officers in the custody of these individuals while awaiting transportation authorization
Conduct searches of individuals for contraband or weapons
Work with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to persons needing treatment

The actual transportation of these individuals, to and from various facilities throughout the state, is managed through the use of a customized van. This van, equipped with the appropriate restraint devices and a two-way radio, ensures the safe and timely arrival of both the Transport Unit team and the individual(s) being transported.

Aside from the physical and mental requirements needed to successfully fulfill their roles, our Transport Unit team also has specialized training in such areas as:

Certification as a Police or Reserve Officer
Handling the mentally ill
First Aid and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Self defense

By remaining available on a 24-hour call-out status, Bruce and Rhonda Griffin not only perform their duties quickly, efficiently, and safely, but they also leave patrol officers, otherwise occupied in the transportation of these individuals, free to perform their duties in patrolling the city of Stillwater.