Alachua County Sheriff's Office

Special Teams

Immediate Response Rifle Team ( IRRT )

Lieutenant Ed Bennett
(352) 384-3327
ebennett@alachuasheriff.org

The IRRT is utilized to provide a rapid response and containment of armed individuals who pose a threat to citizens and responding law enforcement and medical personnel. IRRT members are Deputy Sheriff's assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division. The IRRT response enhances the safety for all emergency personnel, and citizens affected by these situations.

Negotiations Response Team ( NRT )

Lieutenant Michael S. Jones
(352) 367-4113
mjones@alachuasheriff.org

The Negotiations Response Team is comprised of sworn personnel throughout the various divisions and sections of the Sheriff's Office .The NRT is utilized in cases involving hostage or barricade situations, emotionally disturbed persons who are armed and/or threatening suicide, and any other high risk situation where negotiations is a viable resolution to a crisis.

Marine Operations/Underwater Recovery Team

Sergeant Tom Overacker
(352) 384-3060
toveracker@alachuasheriff.org

The Marine Operations Underwater Recovery Team is consists of deputies responsible for underwater search and recovery operations, marine search and rescue operations, marine patrols of our lakes and river, and water safety education presentations to various groups throughout Alachua County . They also assist surrounding counties upon request. The Team also conducts joint training with other emergency response entities within the Sheriff's Office such as the Aviation Unit as well as other agencies and organizations involved in marine activities.

Crowd Management Team ( CMT )

Lieutenant Stan Perry
(352) 384-3311
sperry@alachuasheriff.org

The Crowd Management Team is utilized in the response to acts of civil unrest and situations where events involving large crowds or gatherings result in unlawful acts being committed and threatens public safety and damage to private and/or government property. The CMT provides an organized and professional response with the goal of establishing and maintaining order for the safety of citizens and emergency response personnel.

Honor Guard

Lieutenant Bella Blizzard
(352) 367-4114
bblizzard@alachuasheriff.org

The Honor Guard serves to represent the Alachua County Sheriff's Office in a variety of situations which include; Funerals of Law Enforcement Officers or Dignitaries when appropriate, parades, and other occasions where the presentations of colors is proper for the event held .

S.W.A.T.

Sergeant Terry Crews
(352) 367-4102
tcrews@alachuasheriff.org

The S.W.A.T. Team is utilized to assist in the safe resolution of High Risk Incidents requiring a tactical response. These responses include; hostage situations, barricaded subjects, warrant service requiring tactical assistance, dignitary protection, and any other situation deemed to be dangerous by command personnel. S.W.A.T. personnel serve on a volunteer basis and receive advanced and specialized training in the resolution of high risk incidents.

Bomb Disposal Team

Lieutenant Whitney Burnett
(352) 334-2431
wburnett@alachuasheriff.org

The Alachua County Sheriff's Office Bomb Team is a nationally accredited bomb team, designated by the F.B.I., and has been serving the citizens in Alachua County and the surrounding counties since the late 60's. Their services include response to suspicious packages, improvised explosive device disablement, fireworks disposal, public safety awareness campaigns, and weapons of mass destruction response capabilities. On average, the Alachua County Sheriff's Office Bomb Disposal Team responds to 30 calls a year, ranging from suspicious packages, pipe bombs, chemical bombs, confiscated explosives, etc... The Bomb Disposal Team is also designated as a regional response team for the Domestic Security Terrorism Task Force.

Any business or community organization wishing to receive a presentation from the Bomb Disposal Team may contact the Alachua County Sheriff's Office. The Bomb Disposal Team offers a variety of presentations on topics including firework safety, terrorism concerns, weapons of mass destruction, suicide bombers, bomb threats, searching techniques, site security surveys, suspicious packages, robot applications, etc...