Office of the La Paz County Sheriff

La Paz County Waterways consist of the South Basin of Lake Havasu, the Parker Strip (Lake Moovalya), 110 miles of Lower Colorado River and Lake Alamo. Safety Patrols are conducted through the utilization of two specially constructed 21’ Boston Whaler patrol boats, two 20’ shallow draft Boulton jet boats and a 27’ Crest Pontoon boat for special operations. Also available are two 16' Triton Rescue Boats for extreme shallow water conditions and dive-rescue and recovery support.

We are located along banks of the Colorado River near Parker, Arizona. The La Paz County Boating Safety Center was built in 1998-1999, with funding from the Arizona State Lake Improvement Fund. The Center has a dividable classroom with space for up to 75 persons, houses the La Paz County Dive-Rescue team, provides space for the Arizona Game & Fish Department and, along with the adjacent Buckskin Fire Department completes the base of operations for Public Safety along the Parker Strip
Aerial View

The Boating Division is supervised by the Boating Lieutenant and consists of 4 certified Deputies and 4 Seasonal Boating Safety Officers. Funding for the Division is obtained through the Arizona Law Enforcement & Boating Safety Fund Grant, administered by the Arizona Game & Fish Department. Assigned Deputies are required to have completed the Arizona Watercraft Tactics and Enforcement course, the National Association of Boating Law Administrators Comprehensive and Advanced Boating Accident Investigation courses, and be Arizona Boating Education Instructors. Boating Deputies are also active with the Sheriff’s Department Dive Rescue Team as either active Divers or Dive Support watercraft operators.

La Paz County waterways are the among the busiest waterways in Arizona. The 14 mile long Parker Strip is the fourth most used individual waterway in the State. Even with the relatively low water surface area and high boater use, La Paz County has one of the lowest watercraft accident rates in the State.

La Paz County Boating Safety Officers assist the Arizona Game and Fish Department and other Boating Enforcement Agencies with Statewide Operating Under the Influence (OUI) prevention patrols and details. It is the goal of the OUI Task Force to deter drinking and boating and reduce alcohol related collisions and casualties through agressive enforcement of the State's OUI laws.

La Paz County Boating Safety Officers present up to 6 Boating Basics Education Courses annually, and are available to teach additional classes for special groups or if demand requires. We believe that a boater who receives proper boating education is less likely to be involved in an accident or other mishap, and will result in a more enjoyable boating experience.