SJSO Special Teams

Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) — The AFIS Team provides training for Member/Appointees (M/A) in the Science of Fingerprints and fingerprint classification. These team members are on call to operate the AFIS Latent Workstation during the absence of the latent fingerprint examiner. The AFIS system is directly connected to Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and is capable of searching the state database. Team members must have fingerprint training and be certified through FDLE.

Air Observer Team — The primary mission of the Aviation Unit is to be a "force multiplier" for other Units within the Sheriff's Office. In order to integrate the Aviation Unit with the Sheriff's Office, a group of Observers has been formed from the various Sections. This creates the Pilot/Observer Team with the Observer being the main link between the aircraft and the ground.

Breath Alcohol Tester (BAT) — This team provides support to law enforcement deputies. When an arrest for DUI has been made, the operators conduct a breath test on the Intoxilizer 5000 located in the Detention Center. Training is received from FDLE in the use and operation of the Intoxilizer 5000. FDLE requires a BAT operator attend and successfully complete a 36 hour operator course.

Canine Team — The Canine Team supports law enforcement in the location, apprehension, and recovery of suspects. The Canine Team is also used to locate and rescue missing persons or articles involving criminal and non-criminal incidents.

Communications Training Officers (CTO) — The Communications Training Officers meet monthly to review the current trainees progress, update the Communications Training Officers on changes in training material, and review suggestions to strengthen the Communications Training Program.

Community Emergency Team (CET) — The CET supplements law enforcement with advanced tactics, skills weapons, and equipment in high risk incidents, recoveries and hostage situations. The Dive Section recovers victims, property, evidence associated with crimes, and performs waterborne operations. The Bomb Squad locates, removes and disposes of destructive devices. Click to view the CET at work.

Corrections Training Deputies — This team coordinates and trains new Corrections personnel in the use of policy and procedures affecting the care, custody, and control of inmates and their rights in the Detention Center.

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) — The CIT resolves situations by mediation in which a threat or harm has been made against oneself or another.

Corrections Emergency Reaction Team (CERT) — The CERT resolves all situations within the Detention Center as they relate to riots and maintains security for special programs.

Evidence Technicians — Evidence Technicians aid the victim(s) and identify the person(s) responsible once a crime has been committed and reported. The crime scene will be thoroughly processed by specially trained personnel assigned to the specific function.

Explorers — The Explorer program gives exposure of the criminal justice system to youths ages 14-21 who are interested in a career in a law related field.

Firearms Instructors — The Firearms Instructors train certified members in tactical, legal, safe and efficient use of deadly force.

Four-Wheel Drive Posse — The Four-Wheel Drive Posse augments full-time personnel on missions that require special vehicles.

Honor Guard — The Honor Guard conducts special details such as attending and/or participating in funeral/memorial services, parades, and requests for the SJSO to Post the Colors.

Law Enforcement Training Deputies (FT&EP) — The Field Training Officers train new deputies and reserve deputies to prepare them for assignment in a law enforcement capacity.

Marine Posse — The Marine Posse acts as a law enforcement unit of the SJSO in search and rescue, drug interdiction, boating safety, maritime investigations, and all law enforcement functions on the waterways of St. Johns County.

Mobile Command Team — The Mobile Command Team provides both radio and telecommunication for a specific incident relieving the Communications Center of the specialized radio and telephone requests to complete the mission successfully.

Mobile Field Force — The Mobile Field Force is used to restore civil order and public safety during calamitous events resulting in riots, civil disorder, natural or man-made disasters or other events disruptive to the quality of life of the citizens of St. Johns County.

Mounted Posse — The Mounted Posse consists of deputies who are experienced in the art of horseback riding who are called into action anytime there is an incident that takes place in or near the vast wooded areas of St. Johns County. They may be called upon to do search and rescue missions as well as to seek suspects who have fled into the woods. Click to view the Mounted Posse at work.

Physical Fitness Instructors — Physical Fitness Instructors oversee the agency members perform the ability test and then properly record the results.

Reserves I & Reserves II — The Reserve Unit provides assistance to full-time law enforcement personnel and the Corrections Detention Center.

School Crossing Guards — The School Crossing Guard Program provides safe-crossing of school children at vehicle congested areas.

Validation Team — The Validation Team works continually to ensure the entries from FCIC/NCIC are accurate, up-to-date, complete and are still carried as an active case. The primary purpose is to review entries, ensure their accuracy, and remove inaccurate entries from the FCIC/NCIC system.

Volunteer Team — The Volunteer Team is comprised of civilian volunteers that assist the agency in clerical and non-tactical duties.

CAD Review Committee — Solves problems and makes recommendations for improvement of the CAD system by working closely with the SJSO Computer Section and County MIS Division.

Canteen Committee — The Canteen Committee approves the requests or purchases of items to be used by inmates. These items can only be for inmate use: recreational items, games, magazines, etc.

Crime Analysis Advisory Committee — The Crime Analysis Advisory Committee reviews the types of crimes analysis being done, recommends new analysis, and provides input from those using the analysis as to it usefulness.

Defensive Tactics Instructor Committee — Reviews current trends, court cases, recent law updates, and lesson plans to ensure that proper training is being delivered to all members.

Educational Achievement Committee — The Educational Achievement Committee serves as a resource to determine which subjects would be appropriate for educational achievement pay as well as to provide support for Personnel Branch in handling concerns about college transcripts.

Exposure Control Committee — The Exposure Control Committee meets annually and as needed. The Exposure Committee reviews exposure control plans for any changes or updates.

Grounds Committee — The Grounds Committee upgrades and maintains the landscaped areas around the SJSO compound. This is done to present the SJSO, through horticultural design, as a professional and modern facility in our community.

Promotional Policy Review Committee — Reviews current Promotional Policy for its validity, impact and applicability to all agency M/As.

Recruitment Committee — The Recruitment Committee assists the Personnel Branch in performing all recruitment activities and in meeting the objectives of the EEO and Affirmative Action Plans.

Sick Leave Committee — The Sick Leave Committee approves or disapproves sick leave as requested through the Sick Leave Pool by agency personnel.

Special Olympic Florida Committee — The Special Olympic Florida Committee establishes guidelines, ideas and opportunities to raise money for the Florida Special Olympics.

Sunshine Committee — The Sunshine Committee oversees and distributes assistance provided by our personnel fund. This fund's main source of revenue is personnel contributions with the Committee organizing semi-annual fundraisers to supplement the fund.

Training Advisory Committee — The Training Advisory Committee serves as liaison between members and appointees and the Training Section, and has the authority to overview training to make sure that it meets the needs of the agency.

Victims' Rights Committee — The Victims' Rights Committee is responsible for setting events for Victims' Rights Week in April. The Committee meets at least quarterly to look at new laws on victims issues and act upon these laws.

Firearms Advisory Board — The Firearms Advisory Board reviews training procedures, to update training in deadly force, establish scoring systems, review tactics for training, make recommendations for firearms training to select and recommend firearms for SJSO, issue, establish criteria for ammunition selection, address any other issues concerning firearms.

Traffic Crash Review Board — The Traffic Crash Review Board reviews agency crashes and determines if state statutes or policy and procedures were violated and assign percentage of fault in at-fault crashes and to identify policy failures so they can be corrected.

Honor Review Board — The Honor Review Board is responsible for reviewing requests for recognition awards and recommending its findings to the Sheriff.

Use of Force/Defensive Tactics Review Board - Reviews the facts surrounding the use of force or the shooting and makes recommendations to the Sheriff in regards to training or existing policy and procedure.

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