Special Response Team

When tense situations turn dangerous, the McDonald County Special Response Team is called.

"There are certain things a normal patrol deputy is not equipped for," Chief Brandon Barrett said. "McDonald County can be a scary place sometimes."

The SRT is comprised of 11 specially-trained deputies with backgrounds in law enforcement, firefighting and emergency medical response. Each has completed in-depth medical training and physical fitness requirements. Deputies also complete ongoing training twice a month -- more than average departments.

"If the guys aren't training, then they're just patrolmen," Barrett said.

The team works in groups to practice clearing barricades and buildings as well as assessing high-risk situations and adhering to incident protocol, all while laden with up to 60 pounds of equipment. Deputies don headsets, first aid kits, knives, flash-bangs and extra ammunition in addition to a variety of rifles and pistols.

SRT is activated based on a point system on a threat-level matrix. Points are issued for a variety of threat variables, including a suspect's violent history, gang-affiliation or access to weapons, and whether the location is fortified or under surveillance.

"Training is about doing those high-risk things safely," Barrett said.

This year, the SRT secured new body armor and tactical entry gear that covers the arms, groin and neck, to help handle such high-risk situations safely.

The department was formed in 2012 and is funded through the McDonald County Sheriff's Office.