Sheriff’s Department Looking To Create Special Operations Group

Crawford County Sheriff Darin Layman and Deputy Shawn Karl presented on Tuesday a sample ordinance and outline of adding certified tactical paramedics to the Special Operations Group of the sheriff’s department.

Karl provided Crawford County commissioners with the information. Karl said the sheriff’s office lacks a formally recognized team that performs what a SWAT team or high-risk warrant team does. The mission of an SOG would be to provide a response to situations beyond the capabilities of normally equipped and trained law enforcement.

The proposal would incorporate EMS personnel into the department’s tactical operations.

“Tactical medics are trained to go into high-risk situations,” Karl said. “Firefighters, medics…we don’t go into any scenes until they’re safe.”

Tactical medics can provide immediate treatment. 

“We’re not shooting from the hip,” Karl said, explaining the program is two years in the making. The department has been compiling information, getting volunteers together and doing training. The tactical medics would perform on a volunteer basis.

The sheriff’s department is looking to initially hire four medics. There will be no compensation.

Crawford County does not currently have ambulance districts with training high-risk situations or under the control of the sheriff’s department. A tactical medic could experience long response times, in contrast to other paramedics.

Read more on this story in the July 25 issue of the Independent News.