The presence of a highly trained, highly skilled law enforcement tactical unit has been shown to be a life saving resource that can substantially reduce the risk of injury and loss of life to citizens, police officers, and suspects when called upon to assist in the resolution of critical incidents. The Newberry County Sheriff's Office Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) are assigned to various duties such as entry team, breaching, less-lethal munitions, designated marksman, and tactical emergency procedures.

The CIRT team provides the department with enhanced crisis resolution capabilities that are outside the realm of ordinary patrol response, through the use of developed skills, tactics and specialized equipment and capabilities. The team's missions include high-risk warrant service, barricaded suspects, entry into high risk locations, executing drug search warrants, jail escape, hostage rescue, and other situations that require such tactical support. The team members utilize a variety of new technology and weapons for the varied tactical encounters they face.

Team members are among the best marksmen and most highly trained Officers in the Sheriff's Office, coming from primary assignments in all divisions and undergoing a rigorous physical and mental evaluation prior to selection. Once selected to join the team, Officers are required to successfully complete training in team tactics, specialized weapon systems & munitions, marksmanship, explosive & mechanical breaching, and emergency crisis management. Annually, CIRT team members undergo a minimum of (80) training hours and are on-call around the clock, every day of the year.

To contact the CIRT team, you may email Chief Deputy Wesley Boland at wboland@ncso.sc.gov or call the Newberry County Sheriff's Office at (803) 321-2211.