Conceived in 1980, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office Tactical Unit has evolved from a donation sponsored unit to a distinguished part of the Sheriff's Office Technical Services Division. Headed by Tactical Team Commander, Lt. Loyd Baker, the unit is comprised of 13 members, all of which have received advanced tactical training involving the most advanced techniques and weaponry. Members of the Tactical Unit have completed training in aspects of executive protection, less than lethal training, chemical agent deployment and various other topics in the tactical field. 

The unit's major focal points are execution of high risk warrants, armed and/or barricaded subjects, hostage situations, and executive protection. In-service training is done on a regular basis to insure the team's readiness is maintained at peak efficiency. The Tactical Team also stands ready to assist surrounding agencies upon request.

"We had some fun joking about the APC when we first got it, but when you're on a serious call with heavily armed suspects, everyone loves the fact that its there. It affords cover in many areas where there is none." - Lt. Loyd Baker

Pictured right, team members take part in a live fire training exercise.

Dive Team

 
The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office maintains an active Dive-Rescue team. All five members are certified divers. Included on the team are members with Emergency Medical Technician certification, Med-Dive certification, and underwater crime scene training. Duties of the Dive Team include underwater evidence recovery, search and rescue, and underwater crime scene investigations.

Explosives Ordinance Disposal Team

The Sheriff office also maintains an E.O.D. team to handle explosive devices andother hazardous materials requiring such expertise. This team is adequately equipped to respond to  in the event of the locating of a  bomb or a similar object.

Mounted Unit

The mounted unit is a horse mounted group of reserve and regular deputies. This group is coordinated by a Inv. Hershel Mills. This team was conceived in 1992 as the Sheriff's Posse' and was split in 1993 into two units, the Mounted Unit and the Search and Rescue Unit. This nine person Mounted unit has participated in many functions. These events included one Presidential Inauguration Parade, Mobile Mardi Gras and representing the people of Tuscaloosa County with pride.

While not participating in a parade, the unit routinely works football games and other special events. The mounted unit is especially suited to controlling large crowds of people. Members train their horses to work with crowds by conditioning. The horses are routinely subjected to many noises and sites familiarize them with a volatile, noisy working atmosphere, resulting in higher tolerances of their environment. Mounted unit members are sworn deputies and required to meet APOST requirements. The horses and most of the equipment are owned and maintained by the members of the respective units.