The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office recognizes that all people have the right of free speech and assembly as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and also the California State Constitution. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office upholds the right of free speech and assembly and will actively protect those people that choose to exercise that right.

The purpose of the Tactical Team is to ensure the protection of lawful demonstrators and to take enforcement action for any unlawful civil disobedience.

The duties of the Tactical Team are to respond to all civil disobedience or disorders, riots and unlawful assemblies. The Tactical Team manages crowds, enforces dispersal orders, and protects property and if necessary arrests offenders.