Pubdate: Tue, 29 Jun 2004
Source: Senatobia Democrat (MS)
Copyright: The Democrat 2004
Contact:  http://www.thedemocrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1668
Author: LaJuan Tallo, News Editor

COUNTY'S NEW UNIT READY FOR ACTION

Deputies train for special unit. Dressed in black, they train for any 
possibility, including the serving of high risk search warrants, hostage 
situations or school shootings. In the wake of September 11, the newly 
formed Tate County Entry Response Team (ERT) of the Tate County Sheriff's 
Department is preparing itself to handle situations outside their normal 
duties as law enforcement professionals. The team, led by Investigator 
Kenny Laughter, was formed in November, 2003 under the leadership of 
Sheriff Shelton Ingram, who saw the need to have a specialized unit in 
place to assist the department's narcotics unit with high risk search 
warrants. The team was chosen for their tactical skills including firearms, 
fitness and leadership skills.

Ingram recognized a growing drug threat in the county. He stated that 
statistics show that the sale and use of illicit drugs is responsible for 
over 80 percent of all crime. He realized that just because drug related 
crime is not reported does not mean that it is not present.

To help combat these problems, Ingram charged Laughter, a 12-year law 
enforcement veteran and former commander of the DeSoto County Metro 
Narcotics Unit with the task of organizing a narcotics unit for Tate County.

In his first year, Laughter sought prosecution of over 100 drug violators 
in the county. He and the Tate County Narcotics Unit have been involved in 
several major investigations, including assisting the Federal Drug 
Enforcement Administration with the deconstruction of a major Mexican 
marijuana ring, which was operating in part in the Independence area. 
Ingram stated that earlier this month, ERT assaulted the Tate County 
Courthouse in a mock hostage situation, much to the surprise of passersby. 
"Once we explained what was going on, people were glad to see us preparing 
ourselves for this type of scenario," he said.
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