Fugitive Division
Safe, swift, professional service of judicial orders and apprehension of wanted individuals.
Our Mission
The DeSoto County Fugitive Division is committed to the safe, efficient, and professional service of judicial orders and the apprehension of wanted individuals throughout the county. Through the coordinated efforts of the Felony Apprehension Team (FAT), Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT), Civil Process Division, and Extradition Team, we ensure accountability, uphold the rule of law, and protect the community.
Our mission is driven by integrity, teamwork, and an unwavering dedication to public safety while executing all warrants, court orders, and legal processes with precision and respect.
Key Responsibilities
- Apprehension of wanted individuals — locate and safely apprehend individuals with outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants, minimizing risk to the public and deputies
- Service of criminal and civil process — execute arrest warrants, indictments, summons, subpoenas, protection orders, evictions, writs, land notices, and other court-issued processes
- Extradition and custody transfers — coordinate and conduct secure transport and extradition of fugitives across jurisdictions while maintaining legal compliance
- Interagency coordination and intelligence gathering — collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies to develop intelligence, track fugitives, and support joint operations
- Court order enforcement and public safety support — enforce writs of possession, garnishments, and lockout orders while ensuring due process and protecting the rights of all parties
Day in the Life
A typical day for a Fugitive Division deputy starts early with preparation and planning. Deputies review active warrants, intelligence reports, and recent leads—checking databases, coordinating with other agencies, and prioritizing targets based on threat level, criminal history, and likelihood of apprehension.
Briefings are critical. Teams meet to discuss operational plans, assign roles, and go over safety considerations. Deputies plan approaches, identify potential risks, and ensure all equipment is ready, including vehicles, radios, and protective gear.
Once in the field, the pace becomes dynamic. Deputies conduct surveillance at known addresses, workplaces, or locations tied to fugitives. When a target is located, deputies move quickly and decisively to take the individual into custody. Every contact requires strong communication, sound judgment, and constant awareness of deputy safety.
Throughout the day, deputies also serve legal processes—ranging from misdemeanor warrants and protection orders to evictions and writs. Between operations, they document their actions, complete reports, and update warrant statuses, staying in constant communication with dispatch, supervisors, and partnering agencies.
Training & Development
Assignment to the Fugitive Division requires advanced, specialized training beyond standard law enforcement certification. Deputies selected for the division—particularly those assigned to FAT and CAT—must demonstrate a strong foundation in tactics, decision-making, and deputy safety.
A critical requirement for FAT and CAT personnel is the successful completion of an intensive two-week (120-hour) SWAT school covering:
- Advanced firearms proficiency — high accuracy and accountability under stress, including close-quarters engagements and decision-based shooting scenarios
- Dynamic entry and hostage rescue tactics — rapid response techniques for high-risk situations, hostage rescue, room domination, and threat neutralization
- Combat clearance (warrant service) techniques — methodical and deliberate clearing of structures, team movement, communication, and threat identification
Division members also receive ongoing training in surveillance, fugitive investigations, de-escalation, legal updates, and interagency coordination.
Why the Fugitive Division?
The Fugitive Division stands out for its mission-driven focus and immediate impact on public safety. Deputies see direct, measurable results every day—removing wanted individuals from the community, serving court orders, and bringing closure to victims and the judicial system.
The division's specialized team structure combines the strengths of FAT, CAT, Civil Process, and Extradition, allowing deputies to operate across a wide spectrum—from high-risk felony apprehensions to complex civil processes. Small, tight-knit teams operate where trust, communication, and accountability are critical. The expectation to perform at a high level—paired with advanced training—creates an environment where motivated deputies can continually sharpen their skills.
Specialized Teams
The Fugitive Division is made up of four specialized teams, each focused on a specific aspect of the division's mission.
Felony Apprehension Team (FAT)
The Felony Apprehension Team is dedicated to the safe, swift, and effective apprehension of individuals charged with felony offenses and the service of felony warrants and indictments throughout DeSoto County. Through proactive enforcement, tactical precision, and teamwork, FAT removes high-risk offenders from the community while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and deputy safety.
Key Responsibilities
- Service of felony warrants and indictments — locate and serve all felony arrest warrants and indictments issued throughout DeSoto County
- High-risk fugitive apprehension — safely apprehend individuals charged with serious and violent offenses, often in unpredictable or high-threat environments
- Operational planning and execution — develop and carry out tactical plans for warrant service, including surveillance, entry methods, and team coordination
- Intelligence gathering and investigations — conduct in-depth research and intelligence collection to track fugitives, identify associates, and determine likely locations
- Interagency collaboration — work alongside local, state, and federal partners to locate and apprehend fugitives, share intelligence, and support joint operations
Training Opportunities
A cornerstone of FAT training is completion of an intensive two-week (120-hour) SWAT school covering advanced firearms, dynamic entry and hostage rescue tactics, and combat clearance during felony warrant service.
FAT deputies also attend specialized courses such as Vehicle Containment and Apprehension, which covers:
- Techniques for vehicle positioning and containment
- High-risk traffic stop procedures
- Coordinated team movements during vehicle takedowns
- Deputy safety considerations in mobile and roadside environments
Ongoing in-service training includes surveillance techniques, fugitive investigations, legal updates, defensive tactics, and scenario-based exercises.
Day in the Life
A typical day for a FAT team member begins with preparation and intelligence gathering—reviewing active felony warrants, analyzing criminal histories, reviewing case details, and developing leads on a fugitive's location. Targets are prioritized based on severity of charges, history of violence, and likelihood of apprehension.
The team then conducts a detailed briefing where roles are assigned and operational plans are discussed. Once deployed, FAT deputies conduct surveillance on residences, workplaces, and known associates—sometimes spending hours watching a location for the right moment. When a target is located, the team moves decisively: vehicle containment, perimeter control, or a structured entry to safely take the individual into custody.
Between apprehensions, deputies continue investigative work—following up on leads, contacting informants, coordinating with other agencies, and completing detailed reports.
Why FAT?
Being a member of FAT means locating and apprehending some of the most serious offenders in the county—individuals who often pose a significant risk to the community. Every successful apprehension directly contributes to public safety, making the work both meaningful and immediately rewarding. FAT stands out for its high-performance tactical environment, where precision, discipline, and trust are essential, and for the advanced training required to be successful.
Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT)
CAT focuses on misdemeanor and general warrant service, supporting FAT on larger operations and handling the volume of day-to-day warrant work across DeSoto County.
Additional unit details coming soon.
Civil Process
Civil Process deputies serve court-issued civil documents including subpoenas, summonses, protection orders, evictions, writs, and land notices—ensuring due process for all parties involved in civil matters.
Additional unit details coming soon.
Extradition Team
The Extradition Team coordinates and conducts the secure transport of fugitives across jurisdictions, managing interstate and intrastate prisoner transfers in compliance with all legal requirements.
Additional unit details coming soon.
Ready to Join the Fugitive Division?
Fugitive Division assignments are highly competitive and typically filled from within the Sheriff's Office. The first step is to apply as a Deputy Sheriff.
View Deputy Sheriff Careers