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Due to Noble County's increasing methamphetamine problem and the high-risk situations that police officers were beginning to encounter on a more frequent basis, Sheriff Gary Leatherman decided to form this elite team in April of 2004. The Noble County Sheriff's Department and the Kendallville Police Department combined their efforts both in manpower and logistics to form the team. The Special Operations Group operates under the authority of both Sheriff Leatherman and Kendallville Police Chief Rob Wiley, and is under the direction of the Team Commander, Chief Deputy Doug Harp.
Specialized Team Links:
N.C.S.O.G. - Dive Team/SURT - K-9 Unit - I.M.A.G.E.
The main objective of the team is to take control of any situation that may occur where an officer's or a citizen's life may be in jeopardy. In addition, the team is frequently used to serve arrest or search warrants where the potential exists in which armed suspects may be encountered. This team is available to all jurisdictions within Noble County in times of need.
The team is comprised of approximately 10 to 12 officers selected from the ranks of each department. In addition, two paramedics from the Parkview-Noble EMS system train with the team and respond to team activations.
Each team member volunteered and was required to pass a physical fitness evaluation and firearm's qualification requirements. The team members are expected to maintain a degree of physical conditioning and firearm's proficiency above that required of other officers. Training is conducted monthly and under a variety of conditions to simulate actual deployments. Mock scenarios designed for intense training conditions continually test each
member's level of physical conditioning, firearm's proficiency with a variety of special weapons, and mental status under stressful conditions.
THE NCSOG Team often trains with specialty teams from other agencies in surrounding counties to ensure a coordinated, well-trained response for mutual aid to a critical situation.
Noble County Special Operations Group Members:
• Chief Deputy Doug Harp (NCSD) Team Commander
• Deputy Aaron Knight Team Leader
• Sgt. Joe Keene (NCSD) Assistant Team Leader
• Sgt. Terry Waikel (NCSD)
• Deputy Brian Walker (NCSD)
• Deputy David Worman (NCSD)
• Deputy Doug Ewell (NCSD)
• Deputy Shafter Baker (NCSD)
• Patrolman Glen Hurst (KPD)
• Patrolman Dwight Miller (KPD)
• Garry Hammer (NOBLE EMS) Paramedic
• Jeremy Hammer (NOBLE EMS) Paramedic
• Mike Cole (NCSD) Communicatons