MERCED COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REGIONAL S.W.A.T. TEAM
(SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS)

HISTORY

• January 1977; Sheriff's Administration discusses idea to form a team
   
• April 4,1977; Team commander and leader are sent to FBI Team Leader school
   
• July 13,1977; 6 additional team members of "S.E.R.T." (Special Enforcement Response Team) are selected after extensive testing and evaluation for the team
   
• July 18,1977; Then Sheriff Jess Bowling declares the "S.E.R.T." Team operational.
   
• 1982; Sheriff Amis, authorizes the Team renamed "S.W.A.T." and the team grows in size to 10 members.
   
• 1989; Sheriff Brockman authorizes Team to increase 13 tactical members and 3 negotiators.
• 1992; Sheriff Sawyer authorizes SWAT Team to add two physicians assistants and one K-9 Support.
   
• 1995; Sheriff's Department opens testing for additional members from other police departments within Merced County.
   
• 2001; Team has 13 tactical members including 1 physicians assistant and 4 negotiators and two K-9 support.  Sheriff Carlson updates the team equipment and weapons.
   
• Fall of 2002: The SWAT team grows in dramatically in size. 20 Tactical Members, 4 Negotiators, 1 Administrative Commander, 3 Tactical Dispatchers and 2 K-9 Support.
   
• Spring of 2003, Sheriff Pazin authorizes the SWAT Team to increase to 34 members. This includes 24 tactical members, 3 negotiators, 1 team physicians assistant, 2 tactical medics, 1SWAT K-9, 2 tactical dispatchers. His support also updates team equipment and weapons for a progressive growth.

TYPES OF MISSIONS

• Sniper or Suspected Sniper.
   
• Barricaded or suspected barricaded gunman; Armed suspect with a hostage.
   
• Riot or potential riot; Use of chemical agents.
   
• Protection of police and fire department units involved with mob actions, arsonists, and insurgents.
   
• Rescue of hostages, trapped or isolated officers and civilians, V.I.P. security.
   
• Any situation which requires or potentially requires the use of the teams specialized operational skills .

• To assist in warrant searches and warrant arrests, with the prior approval of the Sheriff or designee.