Merced County law enforcement is taking another proactive approach to address crimes before they occur.
That’s the driving force behind the reinstatement of the STAR Team at the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Tactics and Recognisance (STAR) Team is returning following a four-year hiatus, and will partner with local agencies to solve active violent and property crime cases.
The team is composed of three deputies so far, although that number is expected to increase as resources allow. Their first day in the field was May 7. The team members share years of training, and additional officers who are added will not be fresh hires, Sheriff Vernon Warnke said.
In their first week, the team responded to patrol calls, arrested an alleged gang-related suspect and issued other felony arrests.
Members of the team will also perform undercover enforcement for investigations, plus respond to other duties as needed.
Their flexibility allows them to fill the gaps of other county agencies, Warnke told The FOCUS on Monday.
Merced Police Department’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit will work closely with the STAR Team – just like they did before.
The GVSU recently expanded their own operations in January following a string of killings in Merced.
Sharing personnel is expected to improve response times to reports of crime, said Lt. Jose Barajas who leads the GVSU at Merced Police Department. He previously worked as a GVSU officer for three years.
Collaboration with the Merced Police Department and Merced County Probation Department will be critical.
“We’re all different entities that can come together and better solve the same problem,” said deputy Sgt. Eugene Collins, who leads the new STAR team.
Warnke, who led the STAR Team in 2002, said better and increased technological resources will help the team solve crimes faster than ever before.
Deputy Kaelin Davison has six years of experience in corrections and investigations. He most recently worked on patrol.
“My favorite thing is making sure people are held accountable,” Davison said.
Officials in the county are looking forward to the STAR Team’s return.
Supervisor Daron McDaniel said the supervisors support Warnke’s efforts. “Just the presence alone and the sheriff making the move will bring a little more understanding that he means business,” said McDaniel, who represents District 3.
Five deputy positions are open in the sheriff’s office, according to Deputy Alexandra Garcia, the agency’s spokesperson. These positions, which are unrelated to the STAR team, are expected to be filled in the coming months.
It’s a stark difference from 2022, when the agency faced 20 open positions — and forced the STAR Team to disband. Before that, it disbanded in 2012 due to staffing issues.
