Tactical Apprehension & Confrontation (TAC) Team

Lt. Scott Brown commands the Sheriff’s 30 member TAC Team

Recognizing that the presence of a highly trained, highly skilled police tactical unit has been shown to substantially reduce the risk of injury or loss of life to citizens, police officers and suspects; and recognizing that a well managed “team” response to critical incidents usually results in successful resolution of critical incidents, it is the intent of the Kent County Sheriff Department Tactical Apprehension and Confrontation (TAC) Team to provide a highly trained and skilled tactical team as a resource for the Kent County Sheriff Department in the handling of critical incidents.

TAC officers are trained and equipped to respond to a number of critical incidents including, but not limited to; hostage situations, barricaded armed subjects refusing to surrender, conducting arrest and search warrants for dangerous felons, and providing dignitary protection.

Team members have specific duties. Twelve of the team members are assigned to the entry team, responsible for entries into locations to apprehend suspects or rescue hostages. Eleven team members are assigned to a perimeter unit, responsible for securing perimeters at a scene and relaying vital information to other team members as well as a command post. Seven team members are assigned to the hostage negotiation team and are responsible for communicating with suspects in an attempt to stabilize dangerous situations and convince suspects to surrender peacefully.

Potential team members must apply for a position on the TAC Team. Candidates are given an oral interview and in-basket exercise. Further consideration is given for physical fitness abilities, past work record and recommendations from an individual's immediate supervisors. Selected candidates must then pass a probationary period that consists of monthly training and must also complete a Basic SWAT School. Upon successful completion of the probationary phase candidates are activated as full TAC Team members.