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Iberia Sheriff's Office Search and Recovery Dive team spearheaded by deputies
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NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) -- Sheriff Thomas Romero says members of his department approached him, wanting to create a dive team.
"They're the ones that sparked the conversation and I was all supportive of the dive team," said Romero.
That was two years ago. Since then, the team has been spearheaded and carried forward by passionate deputies.
"The men and women of the Iberia Parish Sheriff's office stepped up the plate," said Romero. "They took this and tackled it on their own."
Romero says it has been an asset in areas of search and recovery.
"It's really a specialized unit and we're lucky to have these guys be able to help us with evidence," he said.
This is especially true with the bodies of water within Iberia parish's jurisdiction. The recovery of evidence can help solve cases quicker.
"Evidence recovery, you know, people throw guns in the bayou, throw guns in the water, we have an incredible amount of water we're responsible for," said Specialist David Decourt, who is also Assistant Commander of the Dive team.
"Some of the evidence that is recovered can strengthen a case that we're working where we can solve the case and get closure to the family," said Romero.
The team can also help to recover victims of vehicle or boating accidents.
"You provide a family that closure much quicker," said Decourt.
The team currently handling search and recovery is building towards getting into rescue operations, which takes more Rapid Response training and equipment.
"It's having the right equipment at the ready to respond to that in a short period of time," explains Decourt.
Even for deputies with extensive diving experience, the training can be grueling.
"I've done some technical diving, but blackwater diving is very intensive training," added Buswell.
But their love of community makes it all worth it. Members of the team cannot wait to get the training and equipment to expand their operations.
"Everybody that's on the team, it's a passion," said Decourt. "We like to dive, but we also like to be able to give those aspects back to the community."