The Ohio County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team was established on May 25, 2001. The Sheriff and Chief Deputy recognized the need for a specially trained team to handle high-risk situations beyond the scope of every day law enforcement.

The mission of the Ohio County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team (SRT) is to support the Ohio County Sheriff's Office and any other requesting law enforcement agency with a tactical response to critical incidents. When a critical incident occurs, the Ohio County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team will be activated. Critical incidents consist of, but are not limited to, the following:

1.                     Hostage Situations: The holding of any person(s) against their will by an armed suspect(s) or a suspect(s) who is believed to be armed.

2.                     Barricade Situations: The stand-off created by an armed or potentially armed suspect in any location, whether fortified or not, who is refusing to comply with law enforcement orders.

3.                     Sniper Situations: The firing upon citizens and/or police by an armed suspect, whether stationary or mobile.

4.                     High-Risk Apprehension: The arrest or apprehension of armed or potentially armed suspect(s) where the likelihood of armed resistance is high.

5.                     High-Risk Warrant Service: The service of search or arrest warrants where the likelihood of resistance, weapons, or dangerous persons exist.

6.                     Personal Protection: The security of special persons, such as VIP's, witnesses, or suspects, based on threat or potential threat to the well being of those persons.

7.                     Special Assignments: Any assignment approved by the Sheriff or Chief Deputy, based upon a high degree of potential threat.

Members of the team must meet the following requirements

Member of the Sheriff's Office for 18 month minimum

No disciplinary action within the last 3 years

90% or better score with every weapon fired

Pass the physical agility test consisting of:

Push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, bench press, 1.5 mile run, and obstacle course

Oral interview with Team Leaders and approval of Sheriff & Chief Deputy

After selection, members must maintain all levels of proficiency and fitness, and are tested annually. Firearm qualification for all tactical and duty weapons twice a year.

Newly selected members must successfully complete the Basic SWAT I course conducted by the National Corrections and Law Enforcement Training and Technology Center (NCLETTC) located in Moundsville, WV. Once training is completed, the member is placed on probationary status for 1 year.

The Special Response Team trains at least 16 days a year in addition to the standard department firearm training. Members receive training in the following...

OCSO SRT ~ March 2006

8-Man Airport Security Detail for the March 2006 President Bush visit to Wheeling

PAST TEAM PHOTOGRAPHS