This unit was created in 1957. The unit provides diving expertise for the department, most generally in the areas of body recovery, evidence collection and recovery of stolen property. The unit has assisted other state, local, and federal departments in a number of activities. The unit has assisted the Michigan Department of Transportation with underwater bridge inspection/video taping, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources with photography and video taping of shipwreck artifacts and confiscation of illegal gill fishing nets, the United States Coast Guard with hull inspections and retrieval of property, such as buoy markers.

Underwater Recovery Unit Organizational Structure

This unit, within the Field Support and Aviation Section of the Special Operations Division, is commanded by Sgt. Lawrence Schloegl. Sergeant Schloegl can be reached at telephone number (517) 336-6624, or Fax at (517) 336-6610. Sergeant Schloegl directs the unit personnel, activity and training, evaluates equipment and makes equipment selections. He is the sixth commanding officer of this unit since 1957. The commanding officer develops and implements unit policy. There are an average of 20 officers in this unit.

The members of this unit are troopers and sergeants assigned to the various posts throughout the state. These members are trained and certified as divers and divemasters. When a call for service is received, the closest available divemaster will assess the scene and determine what type of equipment, resources and personnel are needed to safely accomplish the mission. The closest members to the location of the request are activated and assigned to the detail.

The unit has several trailered boats, sonar and side-scan sonar, an equipment/command post vehicle, and a warming shelter for ice diving operations. Members are equipped with single and double 100 cubic feet tanks, half and full face masks, dry suits, underwater communications, stabilizers, regulators and computers. Divemasters are equipped with global positioning system devices, steel cables, tow bars, oxygen tanks, and metal detectors.