STRIIK TEAM: On the front lines and saving lives
CONWAY, Ark. – When a SWAT team is deployed, or the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force conducts an undercover sting, there's a possibility they could find themselves in a dangerous situation or caught in a shootout with a wanted fugitive.
In years past, medical teams would either be staged miles away in a safe zone or notified of an emergency after the fact. When someone's life is on the line, timing is everything, but that is no longer the case thanks in part to the Faulkner County Sheriff's Office.
Ride along with Arkansas State Police troopers patrolling the I-40 'drug pipeline'
In May of 2022, the sheriff's office and Pafford Emergency Medical Services joined forces and formed the 'STRIIK Team,' comprised of nine paramedics and one medical doctor.
'STRIIK' stands for Special Tactical Response Increased Incident Knowledge. The team is a high-level medically trained tactical unit that is attached to the Faulkner County Sheriff's Office.
Each member must complete a rigorous training program that consists of online training as well as residential training. Their training also consists of criminal law, traffic law, accident investigation, defensive tactics, traffic stops and weapons qualifications. They must also complete SWAT school. Once all that is completed, they become certified auxiliary law enforcement officers.
On the Hunt with the Arkansas State Police as they help human trafficking victims with Operation HOPE
At least once a week, STRIIK team members meet at various locations to conduct training exercises that consist of house clearing tactics, tactical combat training care, rope training, forceable entry training and firearms practice.
When and if they are deployed, they blend in with other highly-trained law enforcement officers wearing the same tactical gear as everyone else. Their primary role is to provide medical care when and if someone is injured. However, if things go south on an operation and an exchange of gunfire occurs, they have the authority to engage, just like other law enforcement officers.
The STRIIK team also plays another critical role. Before any undercover operation, they map out a med plan for the entire team.
They examine the target ahead of time and meticulously figure out where to stage ambulances, where the nearest hospitals are located, and designate landing zones for medical helicopters if they are needed. They also examine each team member before being deployed to make sure they are good to go and have everything they need.
On the Hunt: FOX 16 News follows US Marshals, local officers during Operation Xtended Stay
Since the team was formed, they have been activated countless times, most recently when the U.S. Marshals conducted Operation North Star in which Marshals rounded up more than 160 wanted fugitives throughout Little Rock.
Not only does the STRIIK team respond to warrants and SWAT callouts, but they also help the Faulkner County Sheriff's Office, Conway Police Department, Arkansas State Police and U.S. Marshals.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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