2009 marked the 50th anniversary of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Water Patrol. From the start, the Water Patrol was about volunteerism.

In 1955, there were 18 water fatalities on Lake Minnetonka. In response to these tragedies, a group of boaters formed the Minnetonka Water Safety Patrol. They used their own boats and supplied their own uniforms and equipment. The patrol promoted safety, but had no actual enforcement authority.

In 1959, the Minnesota State Legislature passed the Minnesota Boat and water Safety Act, which states: "The sheriff of each county shall maintain a program of search, rescue, buoying or marking, patrol, removal of hazards to navigation... The sheriff shall investigate watercraft accidents and drownings and report findings..." Click here for details of the Act. To meet the requirements of the new law the sheriff deputized members of the Lake Minnetonka Water Safety Patrol, thus creating the Hennepin County Sheriff's Water Patrol.

Lake Minnetonka Water Patrol Volunteers circa 1959

Today

The duties and responsibilities of the Water Patrol have evolved to keep pace with the needs of the citizens. Water Patrol Deputies are extensively trained in water rescue, law enforcement, fire fighting and advanced first aid.

What has not changed is the dedication of both the volunteer Special Deputies and the licensed Deputies and Staff. Under the leadership of Sheriff Richard Stanek (center in photo below), today's Water Patrol consists of eight full time personnel, including a Lieutenant, Sergeant and six licensed deputies supplemented by up to 50 sworn and commissioned Special Deputies and one administrative support specialist.

Hennepin County Sheriff's Water Patrol, 2009 serving Hennepin County for 50 years

Special Deputies are civilians that have the power to arrest and issue citations for water related violations. In addition, they are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for all water related emergencies in Hennepin County. Special Deputies serve without pay. All contribute at least 100 hours per year, but many serve more than 400 hours per year. Of the 34 Special Deputies currently serving the citizens of Hennepin County, five have more than 15 years of service.

Special Deputies are men and women that come from a variety of backgrounds. There are business owners, salesmen, airline pilots, doctors, registered nurses, paramedics, and others involved in law enforcement.

One Special Deputy was personally honored by President Bush in 2002 for contributing more than 15,000 volunteer hours in his 24 year career with the Water Patrol. Another Special Deputy met with President Bush in 2007 during the president's inspection of the 35W Bridge collapse. In 2009, President Obama recognized the Water Patrol for its Spirit of Volunteerism.

The Sheriff's office takes applications in August and September each year. If you are interested in becoming a Special Deputy and wish to be notified when we are taking applications, click this link and we will send you an email with information.

After filling out and submitting the application, you will be called in for an interview in September. Once you are accepted, you will go through a background check, and begin your training. Training consists of four months of weekly classroom training sessions, and a full summer of on-the-job training. You will be sworn in as a Special Deputy during the annual recognition dinner held in October.

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