Last week marked a significant milestone for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office as four deputies graduated from the intensive Special Response Team (SRT) Academy. Their rigorous 50-hour curriculum included an oral board process, physical fitness tests, obstacle courses, and scenario-based classroom instruction. El Paso County Sheriff's Office announced the graduation with a sentiment of pride emanating from Sheriff Joseph Roybal, who commended the deputies for their dedication to demanding specialized training.
“As a former member of SRT, I am extremely proud of the time and hard work each of these individuals dedicated to this specialized training,” Sheriff Roybal shared, emphasizing the evolution of SRT as an essential aspect of detention security. “The training they received during the selection program, along with ongoing instruction, ensures the El Paso County Jail remains fully prepared to address critical and dangerous situations,” he further stated, as per the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.
The origins of the SRT can be traced back to a violent riot in 1990 at the El Paso County Sheriff's Office Metro Detention Facility. A group of inmates managed to fashion weapons out of dismantled door components, posing a severe threat to jail staff and security. In the crucial moments of the uprising, the need for a specialized unit became starkly evident. The aftermath led to the formation of what would be known later as SRT, born out of the immediate need to control and respond to jail emergencies.
Throughout the years, the team's scope of responsibilities has significantly expanded. The SRT currently engages in a variety of operations, from cell extractions to high-risk jury trials, according to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. The agency notes that the SRT has become integral to reinforcing the operational capabilities of not only the jail's security fabric but also to augment the efforts of the Sheriff's Office SWAT team.
