Our Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) are specially trained to deal with crisis situations.
Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT)
The two units coordinate their responses to deal with high-risk situations -- handling security details and situations involving hostages, barricaded gunmen, or disturbances at civil and corrections facilities.
The SWAT Team comprises 24 tactical operators. Seventeen operators are Sheriff’s Office deputies, and 7 are from other police agencies within Clackamas County. Of the 17 deputies, 5 are Sergeants. One Sergeant acts as the overall team leader. The other 4 Sergeants fill the following roles:
- Assistant team leader;
- Sniper team leader;
- Inner perimeter (IP) team leader; and
- Breaching team leader.
In addition, the team has a tactical medicine program comprised of a trauma surgeon, an emergency room physician and 5 paramedics.
Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT)
Our Crisis Negotiation Team comprises 13 members. Eleven members are Sheriff’s Office deputies and 2 members are from other police agencies within Clackamas County. Of the 11 deputies, one is a Sergeant who leads the team.
Both teams are managed by a Lieutenant who acts as Tactical Commander. They're are also supported by our K9 Unit, Explosive Device Unit (EDU) and Air Unit.
Our tactical team trains 280 hours annually -- studying firearms, specialized weapons, wooded movement and building-entry techniques.