SERT A-170 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: SECURITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE & TACTICS TEAM NO: A-170
FILE: SERT
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02-04-91 REVISED: 12-25-94, 04-01-96, 07-01-99, 01-01-00,
09-01-00, 03-01-01, 07-01-01, 03-01-03,
06-01-06, 02-01-20
AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Assistant Sheriff T. Gattie
REFERENCE: Fresno County Administrative Officer's Management Directives,
Section 110.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish and maintain an emergency response unit known
as the Security Emergency Response and Tactics (SERT) team. The primary function of
the SERT team is the immediate response and de-escalation of inmate disturbances in
order to protect the safety and security of all persons within the Fresno County detention
facilities.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division to maintain a Security
Emergency Response and Tactics (SERT) team comprised of specially trained,
equipped, and selected correctional officers. The SERT team should be used when an
incident rises to the level where conventional jail resources are unable to maintain or
regain control, or when the safety and security concerns of an incident presents the
potential of posing a significant risk, and the skills and equipment of the SERT team would
be the most effective option available.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division that the role of the SERT
Commander shall be to confer and coordinate with the designated Incident Commander
to establish a goal for the particular operation and to properly deploy the SERT members
toward achieving that goal.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: SECURITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE & TACTICS TEAM NO: A-170
FILE: SERT
PROCEDURES:
I. TEAM COMPOSITION
The SERT team is a collateral duty assignment for select members of the
Fresno County Sheriff's Office Jail Division. The team is composed of the
following members:
■ One (1) Correctional Lieutenant
■ Four (4) Correctional Sergeants
■ Sixteen (16) Correctional Officers
II. SERT MEMBER SELECTION
A. All correctional officers selected as SERT members must hold the rank
of C/O III or higher.
B. For the purpose of SERT member selection, consideration is given to
those correctional officers with excellent work experience and ethics,who
have demonstrated the ability to:
1. Perform in an exemplary manner during regular duty.
2. Perform well under stressful situations.
3. Follow orders exactly.
4. Act as a team member rather than as an individual.
C. The SERT Commander and SERT members shall be appointed by and
serve in that assignment at the discretion of the Jail Operations Bureau
Commander.
D. The selection process shall consist of an oral interview and a physical
abilities test, and include a review of each candidate's Bureau File,
Training File, and Personnel File.
E. The interview panel will consist of the SERT Lieutenant and at least two
(2) SERT Sergeants.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: SECURITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE & TACTICS TEAM NO: A-170
FILE: SERT
F. Recommendations for appointment to the SERT team shall be submitted
to the Jail Operations Bureau Commander by the interview panel.
G. SERT members may be removed from the team by the SERT
Commander with the approval of the Jail Operations Bureau
Commander. Removal cannot be appealed.
III. SERT UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT ISSUE
A. Each member will be issued a SERT uniform, a training uniform, and
SERT equipment that remain the property of the Fresno County Sheriff's
Office. (Refer to Addendum A.)
B. It shall be the responsibility of each SERT member to properly maintain
the uniforms and issued equipment, and to bring all issued equipment to
every activation and training session.
C. Upon final separation from the team, the departing SERT member shall
personally return all issued equipment to the SERT Commander.
IV. ON-CALL STATUS
A. All SERT team members serve in an on-call status. SERT activation
alerts are transmitted via phone using the Everbridge mass notification
system. In order to remain readily accessible at all times, SERT
members are required to provide a contact number for notifications that
require an emergency response.
B. All SERT team members are subject to call out, unless otherwise
excused. SERT members are responsible to notify the SERT team
leaders and will be excused under the following circumstances:
1. Scheduled vacation
2. Out of town (or otherwise unavailable to immediately respond)
3. Under the influence of any alcoholic beverage
4. Use of over-the-counter or prescription medication that may have an
adverse effect on performance
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: SECURITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE & TACTICS TEAM NO: A-170
FILE: SERT
V. SERT TRAINING
A. A training program specifically designed for the team shall be developed
by the SERT Commander in conjunction with the Training Unit.
B. All SERT members shall participate in a minimum of fifty-six (56) hours
of designated SERT training annually.
C. If a SERT member will not be available for training due to unforeseen
circumstances, they shall promptly notify the SERT Commander or a
SERT Sergeant.
VI. SERT EQUIPMENT
A. All equipment assigned to the team, including all riot suppression
equipment, firearms and munitions, shall only be utilized by members of
SERT and only with prior approval of the SERT Commander or Jail
Operations Bureau Commander.
B. When not in use, all SERT equipment shall be stored in the SERT
Equipment Room located in the North Annex Jail. All SERT weapons
shall be stored in the North Annex Jail SERT armory.
C. Access to the armory is limited to SERT members.
VI I. SERT RADIOS
A. Each SERT member will be assigned a permanent call number. These
call numbers will be used whenever a SERT member is directed to log
onto a radio channel which is normally used by the Patrol Bureau.
B. Three bank chargers have been placed into the SERT armory and all
SERT radio batteries should remain in those chargers when not in use.
Vill. SERT ACTIVATION AND RESPONSE
A. The SERT team may be activated by the SERT Commander or the on-
duty Watch Commander with the approval of a Jail Bureau Commander.
1. The Everbridge system shall be utilized to initiate activation of the
SERT team. The mass notification system will alert all SERT
members.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: SECURITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE & TACTICS TEAM NO: A-170
FILE: SERT
2. SERT members may not self-deploy.
B. SERT members will be responsible to individually respond to the
activation via phone, text, or email. A designated SERT Sergeant will
utilize the Everbridge system to monitor the responses of the SERT
members.
C. SERT members shall respond and assemble as quickly as legally
possible to the Main Jail Briefing Room (or other designated staging
location) in their SERT uniform, for briefing and appropriate equipment
issue.
D. An alternative location for assembly of the SERT team may be
designated by the SERT Commander (or designee).
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