Enforcement Operations Bureau - Special Operations Division

The Special Operations Division falls under The Enforcement Operations Bureau and has several other divisions, the Patrol Division, Narcotics Division, Crime Prevention Unit, Investigations Division, Homeland Security Division, and Other Teams & Units. Chief Deputy Mike Brassfield is in charge of the Enforcement Operations Bureau, and Captain Charles Monarque serves as the Bureau Captain.

Many special events are held each year in Monterey County, drawing large numbers of spectators and visitors to the area. To maintain public order and safety at such events, the Sheriff’s Office has assigned a Commander to assist in event planning and to act as on-scene public safety director. The Special Operations Division Commander serves as the Sheriff’s management planner when the event reaches a size that will require resources from more than one unit. The Division includes these units:

Special Enforcement Detail (SED): This unit is designed to handle general or directed enforcement situations requiring the focus of highly trained personnel using specialized tactics. This includes gang violence suppression techniques.

Vehicle Abatement Program: This responsibility was transferred from the Public Works Department to the Sheriff’s Office in July, 1999. Monterey County Ordinance No. 3644 authorizes the Sheriff “…to abate and remove the public nuisances of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles or parts thereof from private or public property...”. The Vehicle Abatement Officer also assists other County departments such as Planning and Health with various code enforcement situations. Please visit our Abandoned Vehicle/Vehicle Abatement page for more detailed information.

Multi-Agency Detail for Commercial Auto Theft (MADCAT): This is a multi-agency task force comprised of personnel from the Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol. MADCAT’s mission is to investigate the theft of vehicles and related crimes such as “chop shops”. This unit works across jurisdictional lines, in both the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the County.

Reserve Deputy Sheriff Program: This consists of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) level I, II & III reserves. Reserves meet and train on a monthly basis and are required to work a minimum of two shifts per month to maintain their reserve status. Most reserves exceed this time requirement. A part of this program is the Sheriff’s Motorcycle Squad, whose membership is made up of Level I and Level II Reserves. The unit was established in 1943. Besides patrol and custody operations, uniformed reserve deputies assist at functions including the AT&T golf tournament, Artichoke Festival, Mazda Raceway (Laguna Seca) events, Salinas Air Show, Aromas Days and funeral escorts.

Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT): The unit consists of 22 deputies and two sergeants equipped and trained to handle high risk situations and other special operations. This is a collateral assignment for the team members. The Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) works in conjunction with SWAT to help achieve safe and peaceful resolutions to certain types of situations.

The Sheriff’s Bomb Squad is a new unit, trained and equipped to handle explosive and other hazardous devices throughout the county. This is also a collateral assignment for the team members.

Special Ops Commander Teeter