The Operations Bureau is responsible for all uniformed patrol, investigative, and specialized law enforcement functions within the Collin County Sheriff’s Office. Personnel assigned to this bureau provide countywide law enforcement services, investigate crimes, support tactical operations, and enhance public safety through both proactive and reactive enforcement.

The bureau is comprised of the Field Operations Division, Investigations Division, and the North Texas Fusion Center.​

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​Field Operations Division

The Field Operations Division serves as the front line of law enforcement for the Collin County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies assigned to this division are responsible for responding to calls for service, enforcing state and local laws, conducting preliminary investigations, and maintaining a visible presence across Collin County’s unincorporated areas.

The division operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through multiple patrol platoons that cover more than 500 square miles of county jurisdiction. Deputies routinely respond to emergencies, conduct traffic enforcement, investigate crashes, assist stranded motorists, and support neighboring jurisdictions when needed.

The Field Operations Division includes several specialized sections that provide targeted enforcement and operational support:

• Patrol Section:
• ​Patrol deputies are the primary responders to calls for service within Collin County’s unincorporated areas. They form the core of daily law enforcement operations, handling emergencies, in-progress crimes, traffic crashes, disturbances, and community assistance. They conduct preliminary investigations, gather witness statements, and secure evidence until cases are transitioned to the Criminal Investigations Division when appropriate.
  
• Deputies also focus on traffic enforcement, community engagement, and crime prevention, conducting directed patrols and responding to major incidents when needed.
  
• Deputies are trained to adapt quickly, shifting from routine patrol duties to high-priority incidents within seconds, ensuring the safety and security of the communities they serve.
  
• Traffic and Motors Section:
• ​The Traffic and Motors Section focuses on traffic enforcement, crash investigations, and roadway safety initiatives. Motorcycle deputies provide specialized response capabilities during roadway incidents, parades, and dignitary escorts. The unit emphasizes high-visibility enforcement to reduce crashes and promote safe driving habits.
• Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement (CMV)
• The CMV Section enforces state and federal transportation regulations governing commercial vehicles. Deputies assigned to this section conduct safety inspections, enforce weight restrictions, and monitor for unsafe equipment or impaired driving involving commercial carriers.
  
• ​Canine (K9) Section
• The K9 Section enhances enforcement and investigative efforts through trained canine teams skilled in narcotics detection, tracking, article searches, and suspect apprehension. K9 teams regularly assist Patrol, Criminal Investigations, and regional partners in locating evidence, fugitives, and missing persons.

​The Patrol Section also supports special events, escorts, and community functions as needed, coordinating with local law enforcement partners to ensure safety during major gatherings and countywide incidents. 

Deputies assigned to the Field Operations Division are often the first point of contact for the public, embodying the professionalism, integrity, and service that define the Sheriff’s Office mission.​​

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Investigations Division

The Investigations Division is responsible for conducting detailed follow-up investigations on criminal offenses that occur within Collin County. Investigators assigned to this division work to identify offenders, collect and preserve evidence, recover stolen property, and assist victims throughout the investigative process.

Personnel within the division handle a wide variety of cases ranging from property crimes to violent offenses. Investigators routinely collaborate with local, state, and federal partners to share intelligence, coordinate task force operations, and ensure thorough case development and prosecution.

The Investigations Division is comprised of several specialized sections and units that focus on specific areas of criminal activity:​

Criminal Investigations

The Criminal Investigations Division is responsible for conducting follow-up investigations on crimes occurring within Collin County. Investigators assigned to this division work to identify offenders, collect and preserve evidence, recover stolen property, and provide assistance to victims throughout the investigative process.​

• ​Crimes Against Persons
• Crimes Against Persons investigators handle offenses involving violence or the threat of violence, including assault, family violence, robbery, sexual assault, harassment, and homicide. Investigators work diligently to ensure justice for victims and hold offenders accountable through detailed casework and coordination with prosecutors.
• Property Crimes
• Property Crimes investigators specialize in cases involving theft, burglary, criminal mischief, and other offenses against personal or commercial property. Their efforts focus on identifying offenders, recovering stolen property, and reducing repeat victimization through targeted investigations and proactive enforcement.
• Crime Victim Assistance
  
• The Crime Victim Assistance Section provides crisis intervention, advocacy, and support services to victims of crime. Staff assist victims in navigating the criminal justice process and work with investigators to help restore a sense of safety and normalcy. For more details, visit the Crime Victim Assistance page.
• Crime Scene / Property / Evidence
• The Crime Scene, Property, and Evidence Section is responsible for processing crime scenes, collecting and preserving physical evidence, and maintaining the integrity of all property held by the Sheriff’s Office. Personnel in this section ensure accurate documentation, chain of custody, and evidence accountability for every investigation.
• Sex Offender Registration and Compliance
• This section manages the registration, verification, and compliance monitoring of convicted sex offenders residing in Collin County. Investigators ensure all registrants meet statutory requirements and coordinate enforcement actions for non-compliance.
• Crime Analysis
• The Crime Analysis Section reviews and interprets data to identify emerging crime trends, patterns, and offender activity. Analysts provide intelligence products and mapping support that assist patrol, investigations, and specialized units in deploying resources effectively.
  

Crimes Against Children and Child Exploitation

The Crimes Against Children and Child Exploitation section is dedicated to investigating offenses involving the abuse and exploitation of minors. Investigators assigned to these units handle complex, sensitive cases that require specialized training, patience, and collaboration with partner agencies.

• Crimes Against Children (CAC)
• The Crimes Against Children Unit investigates cases of physical and sexual abuse involving minors. Investigators work closely with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County (CACCC) to conduct child-sensitive interviews and coordinate multi-disciplinary responses that prioritize the safety and well-being of each child. These investigations often involve close collaboration with medical professionals, prosecutors, and social service agencies.
• Child Exploitation Unit (CEU)
• The Child Exploitation Unit investigates technology-facilitated crimes against minors, including the possession, production, and distribution of child pornography, online solicitation of a minor, and child sex trafficking. Investigators use advanced forensic tools, digital evidence recovery, and covert operations to identify offenders and protect victims from exploitation.

Together, the CAC and CEU investigators work tirelessly to identify victims, rescue children from dangerous environments, and hold offenders accountable. Their mission is not only to investigate crimes but also to prevent future victimization through proactive enforcement, community education, and partnership with local, state, and federal agencies.

Special Operations

The Special Operations Unit provides specialized investigative and tactical support for operations requiring advanced training, equipment, or covert capabilities. Investigators assigned to this unit work in high-risk environments and often operate in coordination with regional, state, and federal partners.

The unit includes several specialized teams, each focused on distinct enforcement and investigative priorities:

• GHOST (Gang and Habitual Offender Strike Team)
  
• GHOST focuses on combating organized criminal activity, gang violence, and repeat offenders engaged in violent or narcotics-related crimes. The team conducts proactive investigations, surveillance operations, and warrant executions to disrupt criminal networks throughout Collin County and surrounding areas.
• Narcotics Unit
• The Narcotics Unit investigates the trafficking, manufacture, and distribution of illegal drugs. Investigators use surveillance, informants, intelligence gathering, and undercover operations to identify suspects and dismantle drug trafficking organizations.
• NTX Criminal Interdiction Unit (NTXCIU)
• This multi-agency task force targets criminal activity on major highways and transportation corridors, including narcotics trafficking, human smuggling, and weapons offenses. Deputies assigned to the unit focus on identifying and intercepting organized criminal activity that moves through Collin County and the North Texas region.
• Undercover Operations
• Undercover Operations personnel conduct covert investigations into organized crime, vice offenses, and other criminal enterprises that require long-term intelligence development. These operations are designed to infiltrate and dismantle criminal networks through discreet, sustained investigative work.

The Special Operations Unit enhances the Sheriff’s Office’s ability to investigate, disrupt, and prevent serious criminal activity by applying advanced tactics, technology, and interagency cooperation.​​

​ North Texas Fusion Center

The North Texas Fusion Center (NTFC) serves as a regional intelligence and information-sharing hub for law enforcement and public safety agencies across North Texas. The center collects, analyzes, and disseminates information to identify and mitigate criminal and homeland security threats while protecting citizens’ rights and privacy.

The NTFC operates under an all-crimes, all-hazards approach, supporting investigations, emergency response, and threat assessments through coordination with local, state, federal, and private sector partners.
By promoting collaboration and real-time intelligence sharing, the Fusion Center enhances situational awareness and strengthens regional safety and security.​

For more information on the North Texas Fusion Center and its initiatives, please visit our dedicated page North Texas Fusion Center.

Special Teams​

The Operations Bureau oversees several specialized collateral teams that provide advanced capabilities and support to both patrol and investigative operations. These teams are composed of deputies and investigators who maintain their regular assignments while serving in these specialized roles as needed.

• SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics)
• The SWAT Team responds to critical incidents such as armed barricades, hostage situations, and high-risk warrant service. Members are specially trained in tactical operations, crisis resolution, and less-lethal options, maintaining readiness through ongoing training and joint exercises.
• Hostage Negotiations Team (HNT)
• Th​e Hostage Negotiations Team works closely with SWAT and other divisions to peacefully resolve high-stress incidents involving barricaded subjects, hostages, or individuals in crisis. Negotiators receive extensive training in communication, behavioral assessment, and de-escalation techniques.
• Drone Team (Unmanned Aerial Systems)
• The Drone Team provides aerial support for search and rescue, critical incident response, crash investigations, and evidence documentation. Deputies assigned to this team are FAA-certified pilots who operate unmanned aerial systems to enhance situational awareness and improve officer and public safety.
• Dive Team
• The Dive Team is trained and equipped to conduct underwater search and recovery operations involving evidence, vehicles, or drowning victims. Team members are certified divers who work in coordination with other agencies during water-related incidents and major investigations.