Safety in Corrections:

The Value of a Tactical Team

Brandon Gamble

Disclaimer: This article is based on the experience of the author and in no way should it be construed as legal advice. You should seek the advice of your own legal counsel on these issues.

Legal responsibilities are vast in the world of corrections, and arguably none more so than during the application of force. Proper training in the decision to use force and its application plays a role in keeping our facilities, staff, and incarcerated individuals safe. A corrections officer has a duty to uphold the Constitution and statutes, which includes adhering to the 4th, 8th, and 14th Amendments while balancing a duty to intervene, deliberate indifference, a duty to render aid, and evaluating court decisions like Whitley v. Albers and Kingsley v. Hendrickson.

While most corrections officers have a solid understanding of the above list, two key cases highlight the advantage of having a well-trained tactical team.

Background Facts

Whitley v. Albers

In this case, a group of incarcerated individuals instigated a riot and took an officer hostage, believing other incarcerated individuals were being mistreated. The hostage was held in an upper-tier cell. Prison officials developed a plan for the prison security manager to enter the cell block unarmed, followed by officers armed with shotguns. The manager ordered an officer to fire a warning shot and to shoot low at any incarcerated individual attempting to climb the stairs as he ascended to free the hostage. During the execution of the plan, an incarcerated individual who started up the stairs was shot in the knee.

The incarcerated individual filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging his 8th and 14th Amendment rights were violated. The Supreme Court upheld the officers' actions, finding they had acted appropriately to stop the riot. In the decision, the Court noted that the use of force must be a "good faith effort," and an 8th Amendment violation requires showing that officials acted with "malicious and sadistic intent," considering the totality of the circumstances.

Kingsley v. Hendrickson

This case involved a pretrial detainee, Kingsley, who was tasered after refusing orders and allegedly resisting officers. Kingsley filed a § 1983 complaint, alleging officers used excessive force in violation of the 14th Amendment's due process clause.

The Supreme Court’s decision noted that a pretrial detainee's excessive force claim must only show that the force purposely or knowingly used against him was objectively unreasonable. This objective standard requires evaluating the situation from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, accounting for what the officer knew at the time and the legitimate need to manage the facility.

The Court’s decision noted key factors to consider:

  • The relationship between the need for the use of force and the amount of force used.
  • The extent of the detainee's injury.
  • Any effort made by officers to temper or limit the amount of force.
  • The severity of the security problem at hand.
  • The threat is reasonably perceived by the officer(s).
  • Whether the detainee was actively resisting.

The facts of these two cases provide situations and conditions in which corrections tactical teams often work. One illustrates a high-stress riot, while the other emphasizes the potential consequences when officers fail to remain cool, calm, and collected.

What Are Corrections Tactical Teams?

A corrections tactical team is a highly trained, well-equipped team of corrections officers deployed in situations that require specialized skills and equipment. The team's purpose is to de-escalate and resolve situations that impact the safety of incarcerated individuals or staff within a correctional facility through a systematic selection process and ongoing training. The training and preparation of this team ensure that both the facility and its tactical team are equipped to handle incidents such as riots, cell extractions, high-risk transport, and vehicle extractions, to name a few.

Selection & Training Process

A successful team starts with well-rounded officers who are physically fit, willing to learn, and can make critical decisions under stress. Therefore, a well-thought-out selection process is paramount.

Possible criteria to consider for your team include requiring an officer to have at least one year of corrections experience before applying, a physical fitness test such as one approved by the Texas Department of Public Safety, a stress-inoculation scenario, and an oral interview board consisting of experienced corrections tactical supervisors. Interview questions should include work history, background, and situational scenarios to thoroughly assess an applicant. Character, responsibility, and accountability are essential for any officer, but are especially critical for tactical team members due to the specialized equipment and increased potential to apply force.

Once selected, new officers should receive specialized training for their new role, such as a 40-hour Basic Corrections Tactical Application Course (BCTAC). This type of course should minimally cover:

  • Classroom instruction and practical application in the use of force
  • Physical fitness
  • Certifications for agency-approved Less Lethal Equipment and security tools
  • Examples: Impact Munitions, Sabre OC, Pepperball, The WRAP, and the Emergency Restraint Chair
  • Tactical scenarios such as riot control and cell extraction techniques
  • A strong emphasis on critical thinking and de-escalation

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Upon completion of BCTAC, the selected officer should complete a field training program before being assigned full-time to the team.

An officer's training must be continuous throughout their tenure on the team. This ongoing training should reinforce fundamental skills, specialized tactics, and be used for certifications, recertifications. Alongside this skills-based training, each officer should also pass annual fitness tests to remain on the team. This constant practice is imperative to combat complacency and ensure safety for everyone.

How Corrections Tactical Teams Can Increase Safety

A thorough selection process coupled with extensive training provides an agency with a competent, confident, and ethical tactical team. As my lieutenant always says, "We want Steve Rogers, not Frank Castle." Physically fit officers are better equipped to successfully control combative and resistive incarcerated individuals. Furthermore, officer presence and the team's reputation for tactical proficiency and de-escalation often result in compliance without needing to use force. This can result in fewer use-of-force incidents and safer outcomes for officers and incarcerated individuals.

Conclusion

Supreme Court decisions highlight the importance of using objectively reasonable force, making sound decisions, and preserving the constitutional rights of all individuals. By investing in a corrections tactical team that prioritizes de-escalation and both physical and mental readiness, agencies can significantly reduce use-of-force incidents and provide a safer environment for everyone.

Tactical teams are more than a reactionary force; they are a proactive measure to ensure the safety of both incarcerated individuals and corrections officers. In the high-stakes environment of corrections, the ability to respond to critical incidents with precision, self-control, and sound judgment is not a luxury—it is a necessity.

Conclusion

Supreme Court decisions highlight the importance of using objectively reasonable force, making sound decisions, and preserving the constitutional rights of all individuals. By investing in a corrections tactical team that prioritizes de-escalation and both physical and mental readiness, agencies can significantly reduce use-of-force incidents and provide a safer environment for everyone.

Tactical teams are more than a reactionary force; they are a proactive measure to ensure the safety of both incarcerated individuals and corrections officers. In the high-stakes environment of corrections, the ability to respond to critical incidents with precision, self-control, and sound judgment is not a luxury—it is a necessity.

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Sergeant Brandon Gamble currently serves with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office in Austin, Texas. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the Corrections K9 unit, Corrections Security Threat Intelligence unit, and mailroom. In addition, he facilitates the Corrections Tactical Unit’s training. Sergeant Gamble has a wide range of corrections experience, including jail tactical operations, serving as a firearms instructor, working within the sheriff’s training academy, and supervising the security component of the inmate health services facility. For more information, he can be contacted at brandon.gamble@traviscountytx.gov