Special Operations Unit (SOU)

The Clark County Sheriff's Office Special Operations Unit (SOU) was organized in 1990.  The original mission statement was to assist the Detective Division with the service of "high risk" drug warrants.

Since SOU's inception, it has continually progressed through training to become a unit that provides special weapons and tactics (SWAT) capabilities for the Sheriff's Office under Sheriff Michael L. Becher.

The team consists of both Merit and Reserve Officers with current team strength of 12 Officers.  The team is to a limited extent "Metro" as it has one Charlestown City Police Officer as a member.  The Reserve Officers with positions in the SOU provide a wide range of skills and experience not commonly available to many police organizations.

The Clark County Sheriff's SOU trains monthly.  The training includes weapons qualification and drills along with practicing and developing tactics utilized by the team.  Members of the SOU have received training from various organizations including the U.S. Army's MP School, LAPD SWAT (through the International Association of Chief's of Police, IACP), Indianapolis Police Dept., Muncie Police Dept. and FBI.

The mission statement of the Clark County Sheriff's Office SOU under Sheriff Michael L. Becher is to "Provide a maximum controlled environment during hazardous or high risk police operations."  The goal of the CCSO / SOU is to provide for the safety, security and protection of the citizens of Clark County.

The ERT (Emergency Response Team) began operations in 1994 functioning as an additional security barrier within the Clark County Law Enforcement Facility.  ERT is trained for difficult cell extractions, searches, and high profile security inmates.  ERT is founded upon a team concept and is made up of highly motivated and experienced Correctional Officers.

Each member is required to complete an intense tactical training program that demands physical and mental concentration during emergency situations.  Each member is expected to be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.