SOP_NUMBER: 205.13
TITLE: Tactical Squad Standards and Selection
REFERENCE_CODE: IIA08-0002
DIVISION: Facilities Division
TOPIC_AREA: 205 Policy-Facilities Personnel/Standards/Training
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2025-04-22
WORD_COUNT: 831
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106048
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/205.13/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes standards and selection criteria for correctional staff who serve on facility Tactical Squads and Interdiction Response Teams (IRT). It applies to Correctional Officers, Sergeants, and Lieutenants and outlines minimum qualifications including physical fitness standards, weapons proficiency, training requirements, and ongoing professional development. Wardens and Superintendents are responsible for selecting and maintaining these specialized emergency response teams.

KEY_TOPICS: tactical squad, Interdiction Response Team, IRT, tactical training, physical fitness test, weapons qualification, special operations, emergency response, correctional officer selection, shakedowns, facility security, tactical response, agility and stamina

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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**  Tactical Squad Standards and Selection|**Policy Name:**  Tactical Squad Standards and Selection|**Policy Name:**  Tactical Squad Standards and Selection|
|**Policy Number:** 205.13|**Effective Date:**  04/22/2025|**Page Number:** 1 of 4|
|**Authority:**<br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I:  All Access|



**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**

The Warden or Superintendent of each facility shall be responsible for the care, secure
detention, and control of all offenders assigned to his or her charge. The
Warden/Superintendent is responsible for the overall security of the facility and the
effective accomplishment of assigned tasks. Therefore, certain employees may be
selected and trained for special duty as members of a facility's Tactical Squad, which
shall be activated during emergencies and for other purposes.

In addition to Wardens and Superintendents, the Special Operations Director shall be
responsible for maintaining any additional Specialized Tactical Squads located
throughout the State.


**II.** **Authority:**

A. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R.: 125-2-1-.01 (d) and 125-3-1-.01;


B. Standard Operating Procedures SOP(s): 104.29 Salary Regulations; 205.14

Scheduling Special Operations Training; 207.05 Providing Assistance for Local
Governments; 104.39.03 Injury Leave with Pay; 225.02 Emergency Plans; 205.03
Personal Appearance of Uniformed Personnel, and 225.01 Escape Plans; and


C. ACA Standard: 1-CTA-3A-22 and 5-ACI-1D-18.


**III.** **Definitions:**

As used in this SOP, these terms are defined as follows.

A. **Interdiction Response Team (IRT) -** Tactical Squad that is assigned to a region

that assists with shakedowns, special details, and emergency situations.

B. **Tactical Squad Response Team** (Tactical Squad) – Correctional officer with

additional duties at their assigned facility to assist with shakedowns, special
details, and other emergency situations.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:** Tactical Squad Standards and Selection|**Policy Name:** Tactical Squad Standards and Selection|**Policy Name:** Tactical Squad Standards and Selection|
|**Policy Number:** 205.13|**Effective Date:** 04/22/2025|**Page Number:** 2 of 4|
|**Authority:**<br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|


**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**







A. Caution must be exercised in the selection of Tactical Squad members. All

Correctional Staff assigned to a Tactical Squad shall:

1. Be an employee in one of the following classes of:


a. Correctional Officer I;


i. IRT must have a minimum of 10 months as COI;


b. Correctional Officer II;


c. Correctional Sergeant; and


d. Correctional Lieutenant.


2. Meet the standards set forth in the pre-employment physical examination for a

Correctional Officer I.

3. Pass Tactical Squad Physical Fitness Test (Agility and Stamina) including:


a. Thirty (30) Sit-ups in one (1) minute;


b. Twenty-one (21) Military Style Push-ups in one (1) minute;


c. 400-meter run in 120 seconds; and


d. A fifteen (15) meter one hundred fifty (150) -pound dummy drag.

**NOTE:** Members of the IRT Physical Fitness requirements are **:** twentyfive (25) Military Style Push-Ups in 1 minute; thirty (30) Sit-Ups in 1
minute **;** 400-Meter run in 90 seconds, and fifteen (15) meter one hundred
fifty (150) -pound dummy drag. IRT members must meet this requirement
annually.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**  Tactical Squad Standards and Selection|**Policy Name:**  Tactical Squad Standards and Selection|**Policy Name:**  Tactical Squad Standards and Selection|
|**Policy Number:** 205.13|**Effective Date:**  04/22/2025|**Page Number:** 3 of 4|
|**Authority:**<br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I:  All Access|



4. Pass the required weapons qualifying courses. Current GDC courses are:


a. Shotgun: Minimum score of eighty (80%) percent to pass.

b. Rifle: Minimum score of eighty (80%) percent to pass.


5. Annual re-qualification shall be required with the departmental approved

weapon:

a. Semi-Auto pistol: Minimum score of eighty (80%) percent to pass; and


b. Annual re-qualification shall be required with an eighty (80%) percent

score.


6. Complete Probationary Member Performance Appraisal as set forth by the

Office of Professional Development;

7. Be a permanent employee who has passed the Departmental Training Program

for new employees and is registered or certified with P.O.S.T., also to include:


a. Forty (40) hours of orientation (pre-service);


b. BCOT one hundred sixty (160) hours;


c. Twelve (12) months of experience as a Correctional Officer. Prior law

enforcement, military or civilian corrections may be substituted for the
twelve (12) months. Other staff must have at least twelve (12) months of
experience in their specialty within a correctional setting, unless otherwise
specified by the Assistant Commissioner of Facilities, Director of Field
Operations, or Director of Special Operations, and
d. Must have completed the forty (40) hours of Special Operations Basic

Training.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**  Tactical Squad Standards and Selection|**Policy Name:**  Tactical Squad Standards and Selection|**Policy Name:**  Tactical Squad Standards and Selection|
|**Policy Number:** 205.13|**Effective Date:**  04/22/2025|**Page Number:** 4 of 4|
|**Authority:**<br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I:  All Access|



8. Once selected, each member shall:


a. Participate each month in eight (8) hours of Tactical Squad Training;


b. Participate quarterly in eight (8) hours of Specialized Tactical Squad

Training;


c. Participate in eight (8) hours of annual training for all Tactical Squads; and

d. Meet all requirements set forth by the GDC Tactical Squad Special

Operations Manual.

**V.** **Attachments:** None

**VI.** **Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:** None