Hoover Dam Security Response Force
Stored: Hoover Dam Security Response Force
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Hoover Dam Security Response Force (SRF) is an elite, armed tactical security unit of the Bureau of Reclamation, tasked with safeguarding Hoover Dam—a National Critical Infrastructure site—since October 1, 2017, following the dissolution of the Hoover Dam Police Department, focusing on physical security while law enforcement is handled by the National Park Service.
Mission
The Hoover Dam Security Response Force aims to protect Hoover Dam’s infrastructure, which generates about 2,080 megawatts of hydroelectric power and irrigates over a million acres, by maintaining vigilant security operations. It ensures the safety of employees and approximately 1.2 million annual visitors, defends against threats to generation and transmission assets, and supports water delivery to the Southwest, operating day and night within the 22-square-mile Hoover-Mead Security Zone.
Parent organization
The Hoover Dam SRF operates under the Bureau of Reclamation, within the Department of the Interior, specifically managed by the Lower Colorado Region’s security office, focusing on protecting water and power infrastructure.
Legislation
The SRF was not created by specific legislation but was established under the Bureau of Reclamation’s authority from the Reclamation Act of 1902, with its modern role formalized in 2017 as a shift from police to security-focused operations.
Partners
- National Park Service for law enforcement collaboration
- Local agencies (e.g., Boulder City Police) for mutual support
- Federal entities (e.g., FBI) for counter-terrorism coordination
Number of employees
The exact number of employees is not publicly detailed; the SRF comprises armed officers trained at the Security Response Force Training Center (SRFTC) in Grand Coulee, WA, with staffing levels varying based on operational needs at Hoover Dam.
Organization structure
The Hoover Dam SRF is a specialized unit within Reclamation’s broader SRF framework:
Leader
The Hoover Dam Security Response Force is overseen by the Security Manager for the Bureau of Reclamation’s Lower Colorado Region.
Divisions
The SRF operates as a cohesive unit with no formal divisions but includes:
- Patrol Team for facility and perimeter security.
- Access Control Team for checkpoint operations.
- Tactical Response Team for threat mitigation.
List of programs
- Dam Security Patrols
- Nevada Checkpoint Operations
- Critical Infrastructure Protection
Last total enacted budget
The specific budget for the Hoover Dam SRF is not isolated; it’s funded within the Bureau of Reclamation’s FY 2024 budget of $1.9 billion, with Lower Colorado Region allocations (e.g., $169 million in FY 2017 as historical context) supporting security operations.
Staff
The SRF staff includes armed Security Response Force Officers trained in firearms, defensive tactics, and physical fitness at the SRFTC, maintaining an elite standard; exact numbers are not disclosed but are tailored to Hoover Dam’s security demands.
Funding
Since its inception in 2017, the Hoover Dam SRF has been funded through Bureau of Reclamation appropriations, supporting its role in physical security, with FY 2024’s $1.9 billion agency budget providing the financial backbone.
Services provided
The SRF provides 24/7 armed security at Hoover Dam, conducts vehicle inspections at the Nevada checkpoint, patrols inner workings and outer assets, controls access, and supports emergency responses, complementing NPS law enforcement efforts.
Regulations overseen
The SRF enforces Bureau of Reclamation security policies within the Hoover-Mead Security Zone but does not create regulations, aligning with federal standards for critical infrastructure protection.
Headquarters address
Hoover Dam, Boulder City, NV 89006
History
The Hoover Dam SRF emerged on October 1, 2017, replacing the Hoover Dam Police Department (active since the 1930s) to focus on physical security rather than broad law enforcement, which shifted to NPS rangers. Rooted in heightened post-9/11 security needs, it evolved from checkpoint operations and tactical training, with notable actions like the 2018 rescue by officers Paulsen and Sandifer highlighting its vigilance.
Related
See Also Links to related programs articles or organizations: