Metro Jail Security Division
The Metro Jail Security Division was created on July 1, 2004 as a way to further ensure safety and security for staff members and the prisoner population. The Division is comprised of two distinct, yet allied, units – the Movement and Critical Incident Response Team (M/CIRT) and the Security Unit. As a Division, we continually strive to maintain one of the most safe, secure, and modern facilities in the nation. As such, our exceptional staff members have received awards and recognition on numerous occasions for their unwavering professionalism and work ethic.
Captain Robert Beemus and Lt. Trisha Hughes manage the Security and M/CIRT Unit, which consists of six sergeants (Ralph Fisher, Brian Cogburn, Mark Naumann, George Tonga, Bill Leach and Robert Leder, 58 sworn correctional officers, and three civilian clerks. M/CIRT officers are responsible for safely transporting prisoners throughout the facility for a variety of reasons. For instance, in 2007, staff members moved 45,228 prisoners from their assigned housing units to the Court Transportation area where they are sent out to local courts in Salt Lake County. 150,700 prisoners were moved within the facility. M/CIRT officers responded to 471 medical emergencies and managed 441 scheduled medical transports. A total of 150,700 prisoners were transported by this unit in one year. In addition to prisoner movement, this team is responsible for conducting both interior and exterior perimeter security checks of both the Metro and Oxbow Jail facilities as well as the exterior of the Sheriff’s Office Administration Building – continuously evaluating potential weaknesses in facility security.
Security for prisoners requiring hospitalization at outside medical facilities is managed by this unit. M/CIRT officers are highly trained in prisoner disorder management, forced-cell extraction, and various non-and less-lethal weapons systems in order to provide support for all major disturbances that occur within the jail.
Another function of the M/CIRT Unit is the Jail Security Threat Information Officer – This is a position specifically designed to focus directly on jail safety and security issues. Lt. Trisha Hughes and Sgt. Robert Leder direct (JSTIC) Correctional Officer's David Wilbur and Rogelio Garza. These officers work closely with the Jail Investigator – Sgt. Jason Jones, Law Enforcement Bureau as well as the Metro Gang Unit. This committee, which meets twice a month, is made up of both sworn and civilian staff members representing different areas of the jail. It is a way to coordinate and disseminate valuable information in order to significantly improve staff and prisoner safety, and to enhance jail security. A (JSTIC) Bulletin is published on a regular basis to guarantee that all jail staff members are informed about issues involving their safety and security.
The Metro Jail Security Division was created on July 1, 2004 as a way to further ensure safety and security for staff members and the prisoner population. The Division is comprised of two distinct, yet allied, units – the Movement and Critical Incident Response Team (M/CIRT) and the Security Unit. As a Division, we continually strive to maintain one of the most safe, secure, and modern facilities in the nation. As such, our exceptional staff members have received awards and recognition on numerous occasions for their unwavering professionalism and work ethic.
Lt. Laurie Floisand manages the Security Unit with 16 Civilian Staff and 2 Supervisors. The Security Unit is responsible for all Central Control operations which serves and the Jails dispatch center and maintains control over and doors for both the Metro and Oxbow Jails. Central Control staff maintains visual and entry security of our Jail Facilities. The majority of the security is enhanced with the assistance of various electronic monitoring systems including cameras and a state-of–the art Digital Video Recording System. The Jail Security Staff monitors over 490 plus cameras throughout the facilities. Using touch-screen computer technology, the unit controls access for more than 600 staff members and near that many support staff and program volunteers. With the recent addition of a Security Check Point Officer at the main secure entrance of the jail, the unit has renewed its active role in keeping the jail a safe environment while establishing a valuable customer service resource for volunteers and support staff. The Security Unit prides itself in maintaining a very safe facility for both prisoners and staff alike.
The latest addition to the Security Division is the Jails first K9 unit, which is comprised of Correctional Officer and K9 handler Toby Olson and his K9 partner Sita. This is an exciting development for the Jail and significantly increases security and safety for staff and prisoners within our Jail Facility by helping to keep drugs out of our jails.