The Patrol Unit makes up the largest number of sworn personnel. The Patrol Unit operates on a 24-hour shift rotation with three 8-hour shifts. The primary responsibility of the Patrol Unit is to provide general law enforcement services to the unincorporated areas of Shelby County. The Patrol Unit answers calls for service and patrols the 795 square miles that make up Shelby County. Each patrol unit deputy is assigned a marked vehicle allowing for high visibility and rapid response times to critical incidents such as searches for missing people, natural disasters, and any other incident requiring large numbers of law enforcement personnel.