SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT DETAIL

THE SHERIFF’S SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT DETAIL (SED)

is a highly trained and specially equipped tactical team. The team is designed to resolve critical incidents that include hostage situations, barricaded suspects, armed suicidal subjects, crowd control, and high-risk warrant service.

The team was formed in the 1970s in response to the civil unrest occurring at that time. In 2003, the partnership with the Atascadero Police Department expanded the size of the team to deal with the increasing threat of terrorism. SED has trained extensively at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant and has become an integral part of emergency response in San Luis Obispo County.

Assignment to SED is a collateral duty for all personnel, in addition to that member’s primary assignment with the department. SED members attend at least 20 hours of monthly training, as well as specialized tactical schools throughout the state, such as Chemical Agent Instructor, Breaching Schools, Vehicle Tactics, Sniper School, and Hostage Rescue.

The specialized equipment supplied to SED includes highly accurate weapons, less lethal munitions, and armored rescue vehicles. Whenever SED is activated, the Sheriff’s Tactical Negotiations Team (TNT) also responds. Most critical incidents are resolved through negotiations carried out by TNT rather than with force.

In the year 2021, SED responded to several critical incidents in both the unincorporated areas of the county, and in the City of Atascadero. These incidents included search warrant service, barricaded suspects, and a hostage rescue situation. All these call-outs were resolved with the successful apprehension of the suspect or rendering the scene safe for investigative units.

THE SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT DETAIL CONTINUES TO ENHANCE ITS CAPABILITIES THROUGH TRAINING AND SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT. THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THE SHERIFF’S SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT DETAIL HAS BEEN, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, TO PROVIDE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY WITH THE FINEST TACTICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TEAM POSSIBLE.