Divisions
Range Program
Certain Sheriff's Department employees must carry a weapon as a condition of employment. Court Security Officers, Patrol Deputies, and Correctional Officers are among those members of the Department who are authorized to carry a firearm.
The responsibility for training and qualifying these individuals in the proper use of a firearm is the responsibility of the Rangemaster. The Rangemaster and the Department's Range Officers plan, implement and supervise all firearms training for over 200 employees in the Department.
In addition to live-fire training conducted at an outdoor range facility, the Sheriff's Department owns a Firearms Training Simulator, commonly known as FATS. This system incorporates computer technology, laser fitted weapons, laser discs containing pre-recorded scenarios, and a trained instructor to lead the trainee into training scenarios to judge reaction to and ability to cope with deadly force encounters.
Training
In addition to firearms training, correctional officers are trained in the proper use of a PepperBall Launcher. PepperBall training is hands-on, whereby officers experience the effects of inhaling the pepper powder and feeling the sting of a pepper ball round.
The PepperBall has a wide range of uses. Just the sight of the launcher could bring a situation under control. It is a system the inmates are not familiar with so the fear of the unknown is high.
The PepperBall system can be used for area saturation, by deploying the PepperBall rounds on a hard surface and letting the pepper powder descend onto the target. Using it in this manner you are able to control many inmates at the same time.
Direct application is the most effective; you combine the effect of the pepper powder with the kinetic impact of the pepper round.