DELAWARE STATE POLICE SPECIAL OPERATIONS RESPONSE TEAM (SORT)
Sergeant Alfred W. Parton Jr.
The Special Operations Response Team (S.O.R.T.) provides the Division with a tactical response to the following: hostage incidents, armed barricade incidents, high risk warrant service, high risk vehicle stops, dignitary protection, surveillance assistance and any crisis situation deemed appropriate by the Executive Staff. During 2011, the team responded to 108 calls for service. Through professionalism, dedication, training and state of the art equipment, the Special Operation Response Team conducted these activations in a safe and successful manner. Training continues to be the main contributing factor for success as team members attended several training events to sharpen their skills. As a part-time team, members continue to perform in an exemplary manner both in the performance of their primary duties within the Division and team assignments within S.O.R.T.
During 2011, the team continued at a pace rivaling some full-time tactical teams. Deploying over 100 times, the team reacted to armed barricades, numerous high-risk warrants and vehicle stops. The team was activated for nine critical incidents in 2011, including a Homicide/Hostage event within the town limits of Greenwood in June. During a ten day period in early September, the team responded to four armed barricade incidents throughout the State. The majority of the team deployments involved high-risk warrant executions and vehicle stops for the Special Investigations Unit/ Drug Units. The team continues to work closely with Special Investigation Units and Troop Commands providing tactical support executing search warrants, apprehending violent suspects and conducting high-risk vehicle stops. Additionally, sniper-observers provided surveillance support to both the Special Investigations Units and Criminal Units statewide. Using state of the art optics and night vision equipment, sniper-observers continue to be a valuable intelligence gathering and surveillance tool.
The team conducts monthly training in the areas of hostage rescue, dynamic forced entry, covert/stealth clearing, weapons training and scenario based events. During 2011, the team focused on firearm proficiency with an emphasis on advanced tactics, live fire threat analysis/engagement, dynamic/stealth clearing techniques and close quarter combat techniques to combat the terrorist threat. The entry teams currently train two consecutive days a month with a three-day consecutive training event every quarter for a total of 224 training hours annually. The sniper-observers train three consecutive days monthly for a total of 288 hours annually. The entry teams and sniper teams train as a full team one day during monthly training. The remainder of the time the teams train on their individual mission.
To address the current terrorist threat against the United States, the Department of Homeland Security developed a typing system (I, II and III) for SWAT teams to insure inner-operability across the nation. One aspect of the typing system involves advanced training to develop skill sets associated with corresponding types. The Government Training Institute (GTI) in Boise, Idaho developed the first advanced curriculum to address these skill sets. Instructors were subject matter experts from both law enforcement and military Special Operations Groups. Techniques taught during this course have been battle tested and the instructors possess real world experience fighting terrorists. During 2011, four team members attended the SWAT Type I course which resulted in the entire team being certified as SWAT I operators. Team members developed new skill sets to include Advanced Tactical Rappelling and FAST rope insertion. By the end of 2012, all newly appointed team members will have completed the SWAT Type I training.
The team currently has seven members trained in maritime tactical operations and has recently secured funding from the Department of Homeland Security to train an additional eight team members at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Charleston, SC during the early spring of 2012.
In September 2011, the Special Operations Response Team instructed the first Delaware State Police hosted basic SWAT School. Attending the very intensive two week school were ten members of the Delaware State Police, one member of the Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement, one member of the University of Delaware SWAT team and one agent from the Department of Homeland Security/Immigration & Customs Enforcement (Wilmington office). Five of the DSP attendees have since been selected and assigned to the Special Operations Response Team.
The team continues to provide support operations to the division at a tempo few can endure while maintaining high standards at their primary Divisional assignment. Since 2001 the Special Operations Response Team has deployed over 1,000 times on high-risk missions. The operational tempo of the team continues to rival that of full-time teams across the country with the anticipation of 2012 being no different. The training demands have also increased significantly with the introduction of Maritime tactical operations in support of homeland security missions, advanced equipment and skill sets. The Special Operations Response Team will continue to react to the requests of the Division with enthusiasm, dedication and professionalism.
- Information obtained from 2011 DSP
Annual Report -
