Special Operations Response Team
This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2013) |
Special Operations Response Teams are a group under the US
To help maintain security within facilities under its control, the BOP has formed a number of specialized tactical, and emergency response units. Operating under the direct control of the BOPs
Foundation
The first SORT was formed in 1982 at the United States Penitentiary (USP) Leavenworth, Kansas. The team was formed as a response to the increasing level of violence being encountered in facility. A second team came on line shortly afterward at the USP Marion, Illinois. Currently all federal correctional complexes and higher level security facilities are required to maintain a SORT.
Scenarios
Possible scenarios that may require the deployment of a SORT are:
- Riots
- Attack on staff or inmates
- Escapes or attempted escapes
- Hostage situations
- Any terrorist or military strike on the United States
Personnel
SORT members (Operators) are selected based on a vigorously physical and mental process. All operators are selected from the host facility's staff. Each SORT member has a regular duty assignment and is assigned to the SORT on a collateral basis. SORTs will primarily operate at their host facility but are on call to respond to any incident that may occur at any BOP or federal controlled facility. The leader of a SORT team can be of any rank, SORT teams are composed of 15+ personnel from various departments within the institution. Each team will have a number of specialist personnel assigned to it, such as:
- An EMT
- A certified firearms instructor
- A rappel master
- A security specialist/locksmith
- A blueprint expert
- A sniper/spotter team
- A forced entry specialist trained in the use of explosives
- A chemical agents specialist
Training
SORTs receive their initial training, and certification from the
All SORT members and other emergency BOP staff are equipped with work phones. If a situation develops that requires the use of the SORT, the team would be paged, and would respond to the facility. In the event a large scale emergency should arise, the BOP maintains palletized trailers of equipment at several storage areas around the country. BOP also maintains agreements with the Department of Defense (DOD) to have BOP personnel, and equipment transported on DOD aircraft.
History
BOP SORTs have participated in several high-profile events over the last few years. In 1991, Cuban inmates at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Talladega, Alabama rioted and took several hostages. The BOP responded immediately by deploying several SORTs, and received additional assistance from the FBI's
Some of the lesser known operations that BOP SORTs have been involved in include the mass movement of inmates from FCI Miami, after the facility was damaged by Hurricane Andrew; and the resolution of inmate disturbances at FCI Oakdale, Louisiana, FCI Lawton, Oklahoma, and the USP Atlanta.
In 1992 the first Rodney King beating trial came to a close. The officers charged with using excessive force to arrest Rodney king were found not guilty. The city erupted in a spasm of violence. The city of Los Angeles was unable to cope with the rising level of anarchy in its streets, and requested assistance from both the state and federal governments. The US government immediately ordered the deployment of federal troops and law enforcement agencies to the embattled city. The BOP dispatched several of its SORTs to the area who helped maintain control of federal facilities in the area.
In 2020, SORT teams deployed to American cities, including Washington, D.C., as a part of the response to the George Floyd protests in Washington, D.C.[2][3][4][5] and Miami, during the June 2020 unrest that followed after the murder of George Floyd. The SORTs in question did not wear identifying clothing or respond to questions about their affiliation. This led to some politicians and journalists decrying the use of unidentifiable federal law enforcement officers due to a lack of accountability. The SORTs were described by some as an "American secret police."[6][7] Then attorney general William Barr defended their use.[8]
On June 18, 2020 the Office of Inspector General issued its report on two incidents at BOP facilities involving SORT members during training exercises. During one mock exercise, the SORT deployed a "flash bang" grenade, a non-lethal munition intended to disorient enemies, when it exploded on a staff member causing significant injuries requiring surgery and ongoing treatment.[9]
Uniform and equipment
Uniforms consist of US
SORT weapons include
References
- ^ "BOP: Federal Bureau of Prisons Web Site". Archived from the original on 2013-11-22. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
- ^ "Unmarked, armed riot officers seen around D.C. won't say what agency they are from". wusa9.com. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ Choi, David. "Officers special-trained to stop prison riots are facing off with DC protesters. Here's how they're trained for crises". Business Insider. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ Rawnsley, Adam (2020-06-03). "Mystery Officers Patrolling D.C. Streets Are From Federal Prisons". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ "Who Are They? Unmarked Security Forces in DC Spark Fear". Defense One. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ ""Unacceptable": Democrats sound alarm over unidentified law enforcement patrolling D.C. protests". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
- ^ Blest, Paul (2020-06-04). "What We Know About the Federal Officers Bill Barr Sent Into D.C.'s Protests". Vice. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ "Barr defends use of non-identified officers in D.C. as Democrats demand answers". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ "Management Advisory Memorandum of Concerns Identified During Mock Exercises by Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Operation Response Teams | U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General".