2016 CERT and TACT units fact sheet [2016], 2016 Correctional Emergency Response Team and tact units 2016 CERT and tactical units CERT and TACT units fact sheet

GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
FACILITIES DIVISION

2016 CERT and TACT UNITS FACT SHEET



Homer Bryson

Greg Dozier

Timothy C. Ward



Commissioner

Chief of Staff

Assistant Commissioner

The Georgia Department of Corrections' (GDC) Special Operations oversees internal process that support the Facilities Division's primary task of supervising offenders. Special Operations is comprised of the following specialized units: 26 Tactical Squads to include 3 Regional Interdiction Response Teams, and 27 Correctional Emergency Response Teams (CERT). In addition, GDC is part of the state's overall law enforcement and criminal justice system.

Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) MISSION
To maintain well-trained and highly motivated units, ready to mobilize upon command and move quickly to restore law and order within facilities and assist all departmental staff with daily organizations and operations of the facilities.
OVERVIEW 27 CERT teams Traditional team has 5 members (team leader or Sergeant and four Correctional Officers) Team size may be increased at Level V (close) facilities Gray battle dress uniforms with untraditional patches Receives extensive training on managing non-compliant offenders in day to day facility operations Receives advanced training in cell extractions, chemical munitions, less lethal escorts and transports, offender searches, interview and interrogation techniques, intelligence gathering and Security Threat Groups (STG) Conducts shakedowns An unannounced procedure conducted to detect and prevent the introduction of contraband, prevent escapes and other disturbances and discover hazards to health or safety that may go unnoticed during a routine inspection On-call 24/7
Locations of teams Arrendale State Prison Augusta State Medical Prison Autry State Prison Baldwin State Prison Burruss Correctional Training Center Calhoun State Prison Central State Prison Coastal State Prison Dodge State Prison Dooly State Prison Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison Georgia State Prison Hancock State Prison Hays State Prison Johnson State Prison

Lee State Prison Macon State Prison Phillips State Prison Pulaski State Prison Rogers State Prison Rutledge State Prison Smith State Prison Telfair State Prison Valdosta State Prison Ware State Prison Washington State Prison Wilcox State Prison
REQUIREMENTS POST certified employee (security) with the rank of Correctional Officer (CO) I Must successfully complete the Special Operations Physical Fitness Test (push-ups and sit-ups for a duration of 2 minutes and a 1 1/2-mile run) with a minimum score of 60 percent according to the Army Physical Fitness Testing standards Successfully qualify with their duty weapon with a minimum score of 80 percent on the Georgia Double Action Course Endure a formal review board Maintain physical fitness and firearms standards Attend certificate training sessions
TRAINING Special Operations Basic Course
40-hour basic course Physical and demanding training Classes administered:
Defensive Tactics Chemical Agents and Less Lethal Munitions Drill and Ceremony Squad Formations Mobile Field Force Cell Extractions Intelligence Gathering
Auto Pistol Transition Advanced firearms course

The Georgia Department of Corrections creates a safer Georgia by effectively managing offenders and providing opportunities for positive change.

Successfully qualifies and transitions each member from the Glock Glock - preferred duty weapon
Tactical Squads MISSION
To maintain well-trained and highly motivated units, ready to mobilize upon command and move quickly to restore law and order to disturbed facilities and assist outside law enforcement.
OVERVIEW 26 squads 23 based at facilities 3 regional (SE, SW, N) tactical squads (Interdiction Response Teams - IRT) 11 members (IRT exception with 18 members) Black battle dress uniforms with untraditional patches Receives extensive training on riot and crowd control, firearms, chemical munitions, and other less than lethal munitions Highly scrutinized to guarantee they have the proper personnel in place to carry out the highly difficult tasks Responsible for hostage rescue Conducts shakedowns Assists in local community during disasters such as: tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods On-call 24/7
Locations of teams Augusta State Medical Prison Autry State Prison Baldwin State Prison Coastal State Prison Dodge State Prison Dooly State Prison Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison Georgia State Prison (houses 2 Tactical Squads) Hancock State Prison Hays State Prison (houses 2 Tactical Squads; combined with Walker SP) Johnson State Prison Lee/Calhoun State Prison (combined; housed at Lee SP) Macon State Prison North Interdiction Response Team (Regional) Phillips State Prison Rutledge State Prison SE Interdiction Response Team (Regional) SW Interdiction Response Team (Regional) Smith State Prison Telfair State Prison Valdosta State Prison Ware State Prison Washington State Prison

Wilcox State Prison REQUIREMENTS
POST certified employee (security) who ranks from CO I to Lieutenant
Must successfully complete the Special Operations Physical Fitness Test (push-ups and sit-ups for a duration of 2 minutes and a 1 1/2 mile run) with a minimum score of 60 percent according to the Army Physical Fitness Testing standards
Successfully qualify with their duty weapon with a minimum score of 80 percent on the Georgia Double Action Course
Endure a formal review board Members must maintain physical fitness and firearms
standards Attend certificate training sessions Cobra teams are CO II only
TRAINING Special Operations Basic Course
40-hour basic course Physical and demanding training Classes administered:
Defensive Tactics Chemical Agents and Less Lethal Munitions Drill and Ceremony Squad Formations Mobile Field Force Cell Extractions Intelligence Gathering
Auto Pistol Transition Advanced firearms course Successfully qualifies and transitions each member from the standard departmental issued duty weapon 38 revolver to the Glock Glock - preferred duty weapon
Judgmental Use of Deadly Force Advanced firearms course Teaches judgment when to shoot and when not to while utilizing the Glock