Special Response

When a situation gets sticky, officers with Lenoir Police Department know they have reliable backup from members of the Special Response Team.

Lenoir's SRT is comprised of 13 members of the department who perform specialized tasks when called into action. Those tasks range from drug raids and serving narcotics warrants in hazardous conditions to dealing with barricaded suspects or simply surveillance work.

Lt. Brent Phelps has been the team commander for Lenoir's SRT the last two years and has been with the team since 1997. He said there is a risk factor involved with being part of the team, especially when it is called into violent situations, though it also is a rewarding experience.

“I take personal satisfaction from being part of this team,” Phelps said. “The threat level may be a little higher, and the risk factor is heightened, but it is rewarding to be part of this team concept.”

And that's exactly what the SRT is - a team. Like athletic teams, the SRT has to train to stay on top of its game, not knowing when it may be called into action.

That training consists of strategic planning as well as physical fitness, firearms, building entries and tactical maneuvers. Members of the SRT train 12 hours a month to stay sharp, usually all in the same day.

“It's like anything else - the more you practice, the smoother you are,” Phelps said. “We've got to be able to react and respond to different scenarios.”

Sgt. Chris Mills served on the SRT for eight years as a former team leader and is the training coordinator for Lenoir Police Department. He helps coordinate the training exercises for team members. They always have firearms training during each session, but other parts of training may be strategic planning, executing high-risk search warrants or making building entries.

“We try to work on different situations; we have to be on our game,” Mills said. “It's a privilege to be part of such a special element, and you feel good when you finish a mission successfully.”

Andy Wilson spent two years with the team before moving to the department's K-9 unit. The camaraderie and specialized training were prime reasons he wanted to be part of the unit.

“You get that specialized training, and it provides good team-building skills, plus you're in an elite group of officers within the department,” Wilson said. “As team members, we train, train, train. We never want to have to respond to a critical incident, but we know how to handle it if we are called on.”

Kevin Kerley spent three years with the SRT and said there was an air of excitement over being a member.

“It was nice being part of that group,” said Kerley, now a K-9 officer. “You're part of a team that is real close, and your peers look up to you. It certainly was different, but it was exciting.”

Like athletic teams, members of the SRT have to be selected to be part of the unit. They have to have at least one year of law enforcement experience with LPD, they undergo fitness and firearms test and a review by team members and the department's command staff.

Once chosen for the team members may be either operators or marksmen/observers (snipers). The operators are those members who actually go into buildings or serve warrants, those people on the front lines. The marksmen/observers are used for surveillance to gather intelligence from afar and to provide cover for the operators during any scenario.

It's all a matter of relying on the man in front of, behind or beside you when confronted with a situation.

“There is a big trust factor with the people you work with,” Phelps said. “That bond you build with other team members is special. You're going in with guys you know will be there for you.”

Det. David Hartley is a marksman/observer for the team and knows about the importance of camaraderie.

“When you're in a S.W.A.T. situation, you may be a little more nervous because of what may be taking place, especially if your lives depend on those guys around you,” Hartley said. “It's like having a motor in a machine. There are 12 different parts in the motor. If those 12 parts don't do their part, then the motor will not work efficiently. It brings a lot of confidence and reassurance to know all the parts are operating together.”

Mills added, “I know the person behind me has the same training I have. I know he knows his job, and he knows I know mine. You've got to depend on each other and support each other to be successful.”

Many police departments, especially those in larger cities, have full-time SRTs that respond to nothing but critical incidents. Lenoir does not have that luxury, so its SRT members are performing dual roles. And they do so without any extra compensation for their SRT commitment.

“A lot of these guys are playing dual roles, and I can't speak high enough about those officers who take on that added responsibility and extra training,” LPD Chief Joey Reynolds said. “I continue to be amazed at the caliber and of officers and individuals we have here who step up to the plate and take on extra responsibility. It says a lot about the men and women of this police department.

“For them to be ready to help our community if there is a need for that kind of response says a lot about them.”

Having the SRT gives LPD another resource at its disposal, though it's one the department hopes it doesn't have to use on a regular basis.

“You've got to have them and their tactical training,” Reynolds said. “They have to be prepared for any situation, but you hope you never have to call them out.”

But if that call comes, members of Lenoir's SRT are ready to answer it.

“These guys would be happy doing this every day because they enjoy it,” Phelps said. “We have all the practice to be ready for situations, and when they come up, we're ready.”

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