Welcome to the Kenosha Sheriff's Department
Tactical Response Team
In 1980, the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department recognized the need for a specially trained unit to handle critical incidents. These critical incidents ranged from high risk warrant service, hostage situations, barricaded gunman, suicidal subjects and more. Although Kenosha County Sheriff's Department patrol personnel are highly and continuously trained, the need for specialized equipment and tactics were sometimes required to resolve a dangerous situation.
The formation of a Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) was the result after evaluating the needs of the department and community. The team originally was comprised of 10 officers who were selected after evaluations. These officers were equipped with the very basics of law enforcement equipment.
As calls for service for this team increased, it became obvious that the size and complexity of the tactical program needed to evolve. After some modest changes in the late 1980's, the team was increased to it's current size of 24 in 1992. This increase has included several members from the Kenosha Police Department and the Pleasant Prairie Police Department. To become a member of the Tactical Response Team, candidates must pass an oral interview, physical condition and ability test, technical knowledge exam and a historical review by the team's command staff. The name of the unit was changed to the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department Tactical Response Team.
The Tactical Response Team was originally trained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Currently the Department utilizes numerous resources available to it at the County, State and Federal levels to train its team members in the latest techniques available. The team trains twice a month. Members are required to maintain rigid standards of expertise and proficiency. This knowledge and capability of the Tactical Response Team is augmented by the newest equipment available, which includes less than lethal munitions.
In 1996 the Tactical Response Team obtained an armored rescue vehicle, at no cost, from the military for the safe extraction of injured citizens or officers in a hostile environment. It can also be utilized for reconnaissance or in the safe delivery of certain less than lethal munitions. In recent years this vehicle combined with the use of such described munitions, has been instrumental in the successful conclusion of several hostile incidents. In addition to its use locally, this vehicle has also been requested and utilized successfully in the safe resolution of incidents beyond the borders of Kenosha County during calls for mutual aid in neighboring jurisdictions.
As the needs of the community change, so will the operation and structure of the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department Tactical Response Team.
