S.E.R.T.: A Beginning

 

 

              The increase of gangs in Central California, more stringent penalties for violent offenses and the booming population growth in Merced County brought about a rise in violent incidents within the concrete walls of the Merced County Sheriff’s Department Correctional Facilities. Violent inmates were confronted by correctional officers who were ill equipped and under-trained for dealing with these situations. Officers routinely sustained injuries, while the inmate medical expenses sky-rocketed.

 

              Corrections staff began researching ways to make their jobs safer and proposed the implementation of a well equipped response team that would train to deal with these violent jail incidents. Sheriff’s Administrators decided to give the S.W.A.T. team the authority to respond to situations. In 1992, four Corrections staff tested and trained with the Merced County S.W.A.T. team. The members trained for six months with S.W.A.T., but found that S.W.A.T. tactics did not suit the custody environment. Using the experience and knowledge of the S.W.A.T. organization, the members left S.W.A.T. and developed a response team designed to work within the concrete and steel of a correctional facility.

 

With an emphasis on reducing staff and inmate injuries, the S.E.R.T. team was first formed in 1993. Trained combined physical fitness with basic scenarios dealing with cell extractions, jail incidents or mini-riots, high risk inmate transport and “loose prisoner” drills. The team was selected from Corrections personnel who took pride in themselves and their career field.  They regularly donated their off duty time to train, as well as purchasing their own basic equipment. The Merced County Sheriff’s Department funded the purchase of extraction shields, elbow and knee protection, helmets and other squad styled gear. The team’s individual members regularly had input into creating protocols, training scenarios, policy and procedures.

 

The team had a core of six members for their first five years and many other correctional officers tried out and eventually moved on to other endeavors. The S.E.R.T. team operated with these main principles; fast response, precision teamwork and to use only the force necessary to accomplish the goal. These tactics resulted in a reduction in injuries to correctional officers and inmates, created a safer environment, reduced workers compensation and medical costs, as well as added a deterrent to inmate violence. The team’s positive presence boosted the confidence and pride of Corrections staff, giving them a well needed solution to potentially violent situations.