Behind the scenes with our Underwater Search Unit

Jumping into icy water at a moment’s notice and finding discarded weapons with almost zero visibility – it may sound like the job of a hero in an action movie, but it is exactly what one specialist police team are trained to do to save lives and keep people safe. The Underwater Search Unit, which consists of ten highly skilled and specially trained officers, work across the force’s Operational Support department and are prepared to act immediately when they are called – with a wide range of high quality equipment and knowledge. Work for the ‘dive’ team can vary, with the team working through a wide range of water and weather conditions, but their job often begins with a call from the control room. PC James Patterson is a dive supervisor and has swam competitively for the Great Britain police swim team, winning a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle at the British Masters Championship in 2016. Having always had an interest in the water and being a keen swimmer, he made the move to the team 14 years ago, progressing to be a dive supervisor two years ago. He said: “We could be called at the drop of a hat, no matter whether it’s icy or tropical conditions, to dive into various waters and, ultimately, save people’s lives. That is what we are specially trained to do and why it’s so important we keep up this training so, no matter what, we can be there. “I think a lot of people associate us with recovering people’s loved ones from the water, and that is a hugely significant part of our role. We are also called for a number of other reasons, such as if an object, weapon, or items of clothing believed to have been involved in a crime has been thrown into the water. “When we get a call and there is a need for deployment, we have to bring at least half the team out so ensure we can safely put one diver in the water.” As well as during a dedicated ‘dive team’ call out, the team’s training has proven to save lives outside of this as well. Whilst PC Patterson was assisting with patrols at a Nottingham Forest football match in 2017, a man was seen to have gone into the River Trent and became unconscious. His quick thinking, with help from officers, saw a tremendous effort where PC Patterson, attached to a life ring and 40m throw line, swam out across the river and saved the man. He added: “Having been on the team for a while, I had played this kind of scenario out in my head and how I would react to it. “When we were told he was breathing again, it was overwhelming, and it just goes to show why we do our job. We all have that same ethos as a team that, no matter the circumstances, we will be there and we will help. “This goes for our call-outs as well. As we all work across other teams throughout the force, it’s not unusual to get a call a call outside our shifts or when we’re at home. It is then down to us to get a team together to go to the scene of the incident that has been called in. “I think this is where we are really unique as a team. When we get that call, it could be the case that someone has gone into the water and their loved ones are on the bank or riverside waiting for help to arrive. The team are driven by that want to help and our morals to act as quick as we can, even when we’ve already clocked off for the day. If we aren’t there to help, no one is.” To read more, visit the Nottinghamshire Police website.