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CERT team prepares for the worst, hopes for the best

Val Horvath Davidson

CERT member Deputy Joshua Sexton works a shift at the Bossier Sheriff’s Office Maximum Security Facility in Plain Dealing.

If all hell breaks loose at any of the Bossier Sheriff's Office correctional facilities in north Bossier Parish near Plain Dealing, Sgt. Joey Bowen is ready.

He's part of the Corrections Emergency Response Team, which is similar to a SWAT team but custom-made to combat dangerous jailhouse hijinks — like riots, for example — and quickly regain order. At least one CERT member is on duty during every shift at each of the minimum-, medium- and maximum-security prisons and work release unit, and when needed they converge within minutes wherever there is a major crisis.

"We handle the bad and difficult situations in the most efficient and safe manner," Bowen said, noting the 15-member team is divided into two groups. Each gets together two times a month to learn tactics that will help them function efficiently during everything from cell extractions to hostage situations, but when they're not training or dealing with emergencies, they perform the same duties as other deputies.

Since CERT's establishment about two years ago, Bowen estimates there have been five instances where the on-duty crew responded together as a team to what could've escalated into serious situations if not handled properly. A handful of other times, mostly when they were already together for training, they've dealt with nonpressing issues regular deputies may have found taxing. When not working one of their typical 12-hour shifts, other team members are still on call, though nobody has had to come in from home as of yet.

CERT members Deputy Joshua Sexton (left), Deputy Chris Alford and Deputy Brandon Alsabrook pose for a photo at the Bossier Sheriff’s Office Maximum Security Facility in Plain Dealing. During emergencies such as hostage situations or riots, they would be the first to respond.

"I want to make sure my team stays safe," said Deputy Brandon Alsabrook, who often works at the minimum-security facility and has been with the CERT team since its inception. "I've seen deputies get hurt. If I can better myself and better my training to make it easier on other deputies, that's the goal."

Instead of the typical blue and gold corrections uniforms, the team — which includes one woman — wears all-black outfits with silver and black patches. When called upon, they grab extra gear such as helmets, shields, shin guards, kneepads and vests and proceed to the area in question in a special formation. Their mere presence can sometimes compel compliance from even the most egregious offenders, and they're taught to use negotiation skills before they use force.

"Thank goodness we've never had a really, really bad incident," said Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington. "In event of a prison incident or God forbid a deputy in trouble, they can suit up quickly and restore order."

Deputy Joshua Sexton loves being part of the group and thinks it has taught him to have a heightened sense of awareness about what's going on around him.

"It's a camaraderie thing," he said. "It's all about being part of a team."

He also liked going to a recent skills competition in West Virginia, where CERT members went through a drill that involved a mock prison uprising. Sexton and teammates think one of the worst things they might ever have to face would be a dorm riot at the medium-security facility, where up to 75 inmates are housed together.

"In the environment we work in, it's a likely possibility (something unexpected could happen)," said Bowen, who is always looking to learn new techniques. "I'd like to be prepared for it instead of it blindsiding me. We prepare for the worst and hope for the best."

Twitter: @dvds81.