Sheriff's Office

Tactical Apprehension & Confrontation (TAC) Team

Lieutenant Brad Mercer oversees the Sheriff's 30-member Tactical Apprehension and Confrontation Team (TAC Team)

The presence of a highly trained and highly skilled police tactical unit has shown to substantially reduce the risk of injury or loss of life to citizens, police officers and suspects. Recognizing that a well-managed “team” response to critical incidents usually results in successful resolution of critical incidents, it is the intent of the Kent County Sheriff's Office Tactical Apprehension and Confrontation (TAC) Team to provide a highly trained and skilled tactical team as a resource.

Tactical Team members are selected from within the agency and have been chosen after passing a physical fitness course, interview process, and supervisor evaluation. All team members attend a weeklong basic training course and then continue to advance their skills throughout their careers with monthly trainings, bi-annual fitness tests, as well as attending local, state, and national trainings.

Tactical Team members are cross trained in hostage rescue, building entries, sniper spotter/perimeter, woodland searches, and dignitary protection. Of the 30-member team, Four have additional responsibilities as snipers and five provide technical support through robotics and drone operations. The unit’s Hostage Negotiation Team is comprised of five team members who are utilized to assist in bringing peaceful resolutions to situations through effective communication and de-escalation. In addition to these responsibilities, team members are utilized throughout the department as trainers in various disciplines including defensive tactics, tactical operations, and firearms.