Last week, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office celebrated two deputies’ graduation from the Special Response Team (SRT) Academy. The deputies completed a demanding 50-hour program that included an oral board process, rigorous physical fitness requirements, an obstacle course, and extensive classroom and scenario-based instruction.
“As someone who served on SRT for several years, I understand firsthand the commitment, discipline, and preparation required to earn a place on this team,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “These deputies demonstrated the determination and dedication required to serve in one of the Sheriff’s Office’s most specialized assignments. SRT plays a critical role in maintaining safety and security within our jail, and its members must be prepared to respond when difficult and dangerous situations arise. I am proud to welcome these deputies to the team and grateful to our SRT leadership and training staff for preparing them for this responsibility.”
History of the Special Response Team
In 1990, a riot erupted at the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Metro Detention Facility. Inmates housed in Ward A2W, a 28-bed unit for violent offenders, gained access to the door system and dismantled heavy metal components, turning them into weapons. The inmates threatened staff and were minutes away from releasing other inmates from their cells.
Deputies on the Metro floor requested assistance from Criminal Justice Center staff to regain control of the unit. During the incident, three deputies were seriously injured.
The incident exposed the urgent need for a team equipped and specially trained to respond to emergencies inside the jail. Following the incident, the Special Response Team was formed. Early team members were tasked with acquiring specialized equipment and developing training to build a unit capable of responding to high-risk situations.
Since its creation, SRT’s responsibilities have grown significantly. Today, the team handles a wide range of critical operations, including forced cell extractions, open-area containment, riot control, high-risk extraditions and transports, high-risk jury trials and site visits, and supplemental support for the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team. The team also responds to requests for assistance from law enforcement agencies across Colorado, providing specialized support during critical and high-risk incidents.
The Special Response Team remains an important component of detention security and regional law enforcement support, providing specialized training, equipment, and expertise to help protect deputies, staff, and individuals in the care of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
