El Paso County Sheriff's Office

Homeland Security
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office Homeland Security Section, is currently manned by two officers. One Sergeant and a Deputy, both of them also assigned as SWAT Team members.
Sgt. Omar Chavez
8 Year Veteran of EPSO
Holds a Master Peace Officer Cert
B.A. degree in Criminal Justice
Masters Degree in Business Administration
SWAT Team Leader
Peace Officer Instructor in different firearms and Tactical disciplines.
Sgt. Chavez has worked the patrol division as a Deputy FTO, and the Criminal Investigation Division as a former detective.
Deputy Miguel Rico
20 Year Veteran of EPSO
Holds a Master's Peace Officer Cert
B.A Degree in Business Administration
Masters Degree in Criminal Justice
SWAT Team Member
Peace Officer instructor
Deputy Rico has worked the patrol division, And the Community Section as a School Resource Officer He is a current Criminal Justice Professor at a local junior college.
The Homeland Security Section is responsible for preparatory activities such as All-hazards equipment purchases, personal protection equipment (PPE's) purchases and distribution. Providing and coordinating training such as FEMA training mandates and community interaction through committee participation.
The Section is tasked with the following duties:
• Equip department personnel as necessary to respond to all-hazards situations.
• Assist in reviewing the necessary county & regional evacuation plans.
• Coordinate & document necessary threat and risk assessments.
• Maintain a master record of required FEMA training.
• Conduct PPE training with EPSO personnel.
• Coordinate DHS grants.
• Control and inventory all DHS grant funded equipment.
• Coordinate all-hazards efforts with outside agencies.
• Gather and disseminate essential street level information.
The Section also counts with two emergency response vehicles (SUV's) which are equipped with multiple computerized frequency radios that allow for multi-agency (Regional) interoperability in case of an emergency or disaster, and together with their assigned response trailers, can act as mobile command centers.