Monroe County Sheriff's Office Annual Report - 2009

Sheriff’s Bomb Squad with Explorers and the Bomb detection
robot.
Office and do not receive additional compensation for their presence
on the Squad.
The Bomb Squad also handles the destruction of explosive
devices; old outdated ammunition, flares, and other dangerous items,
such as Military Munitions and other found items that float into the
near shore waters of the Florida Keys.
Citizens who have hazardous items to dispose of should contact
Sgt. Bobby Randolph at 305-292-7060 to discuss safe handling and
disposal.
The Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad has state of the art equipment
to handle dangerous situations and has, in the past, been called
upon to dismantle home made explosive devices, destroy old dynamite,
clear buildings of dangerous explosives, and search buildings,
boats, and other locations for possible explosives.
Special Weapons and Tactics
The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team is primarily used
to serve high-risk search warrants where occupants are suspected of
being armed and/or dangerous. They also respond, when required,
to other situations such as barricaded subjects, wanted suspects who
might be armed and dangerous, and any other time they are needed.
The team is comprised of Deputy Sheriff’s and Detectives who
Above, the Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics Team.
Below, snipers on the team at sniper training in 2009.
SWAT team members participate in HazSWAT training, where
they learn to deal with hazardous materials at incident scenes.
have agreed to serve the citizens of Monroe County in this high
risk, high liability position at no extra cost to taxpayers. They do not
receive any compensation over and above their normal salaries to
perform the duties of a SWAT team member.
SWAT team members have all completed at least one two week
SWAT course, and they train together on a regular basis to maintain
those skills and to ensure they can all work smoothly together. They
are periodically required to participate in a timed military obstacle
course to remain on the team, and must frequently qualify with a variety
of weapons. To date, no Sheriff’s Office SWAT team member has
been seriously injured or killed during the performance of their duties.
The Sheriff’s SWAT team is a county wide unit answering to
the Sheriff’s Special Operations Division. They frequently work with
many other agencies, local, state, and federal.
Reserve Unit
The mission of the Reserve program
is to support the operation of the Monroe
County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff provides
the opportunity for the Reserves to
be directly involved in the daily operation of
the Sheriff Office. The Sheriff provides the
R/Capt. and R/1st Lt. a position at all staff
meetings for direct coordination between
Res. Capt. Ted Migala
Reserve staff and the rest of the office.
Reserves contribute to the operation
of all Divisions within the Monroe County
Sheriff Office. Reserves are a functional part of: Honor Guard, Victim
Advocates, Court Security, Aviation, Records, Special Investigations,
HIDTA, Dive Team, Community Relations, Parking Enforcement and
sworn Reserve Deputies work road patrol both supplementing and
covering shortages.
Reserves support almost every special function that takes place
through out the year. They can be seen helping at: News Years Fireworks,
Pigeon Key Festival, 7 Mile Bridge Run, 4th of July Parades,
and Fantasy Fest to just name a few.
Director Becky Herrin
Community Relations
Division
The goal of the Community Relations Division
is to promote a better working relationship
with the community, and to let the citizens of
Monroe County know what the Sheriff’s Office
is doing, and how the Sheriff’s Office serves
the public on a day to day basis.
The Community Relations Division is
comprised of:
• Public Information and Media Relations
• Web Site Management and Design
• School Resource Officers
• School Crossing Guards
• The Crime Watch Coordinator
• The Juvenile Programs Division
33 Monroe County Sheriff’s Office - Annual Report 2009