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The
“Emergency Response Team” is the Hartford Police Department’s version of
S.W.A.T. The team is comprised of 25 Officers from all bureaus of the
Department. These Officers are “on call” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on a
voluntary basis. They are tasked with the responsibility of bringing positive
outcomes to High Risk incidents while minimizing the risk to the citizens of the
City of Hartford and other officers.
All
officers on the Team are hand selected through a rigorous process and are
required to complete, a 40 hour Basic SWAT school along with attending two days
a month of specialty training. This is coupled with mandatory monthly
qualifications on all weapons. The Sniper element of the Team trains an
additional one day a month to further ensure their readiness.
E.R.T. is lead by a Lieutenant, James A. Bernier a 14 year Hartford Police
veteran and former United States Marine. He is a certified Police Firearms,
SWAT, Rifle and Sniper instructor and a graduate of the National Tactical
Officers Association’s SWAT Command and Supervision School. Lieutenant Bernier
has been affiliated with E.R.T. since 1998.
There are 5 Sergeants on E.R.T. as Team Leaders. These Sergeants: Charles
Cochran, Michael Manson, Robert Nelson, Francis Perrone and Jason Thody have a
combined Police experience of 71 years. They are responsible for leading E.R.T.
officers during active tactical operations.
In
2007, the Hartford Police E.R.T. conducted 37 tactical operations in the City of
Hartford. These missions ranged from Barricaded Persons to Arrest/Search Warrant
Services to Dignitary Protection Details.
The Hartford Police Department's Emergency Response Team (ERT) is a group of
highly dedicated, professional police officers committed to the preservation of
life and ensuring the safety of the citizens and visitors of the City of
Hartford and the entire capital region. The ERT members carry these ideals with
them every day while obtaining this level of commitment through continuous
training and utilization of the latest technology in advanced weapon and rescue
systems. The ERT has the ability to rapidly respond to any hostile or volatile
situation within the city limits or any municipality requesting Hartford Police
ERT assistance.
The Hartford
Police Department's ERT is charged with the responsibility to effectively handle
high-risk situations. The Hartford Police Department's policy and procedure
order 7-88 specifically defines this as: those involving police action in which
life and/or safety of any individual is in evident or presumed jeopardy whether
such person is the perpetrator, victim, or other unsuspecting party. The
Hartford Police Department categories high-risk incidents into two situations;
response and assist.
Response
Situations: Intervening police activities urgent in nature, intended to
eliminate or minimize whenever possible all situations in which the life and/or
safety of any individual is in immediate jeopardy. Response situations include,
but are not limited to, hostage taking, snipers, barricaded persons, etc...
Assist
Situations: Supportive police activities with the purpose of eliminating or
minimizing the risk of injury or loss of life to individuals in selected,
perplexed and other non-urgent crime suppression activities. Assist situations
include, but are not limited to, high risk warrant execution, dignitary/VIP
protection, violent offender apprehension, street gang warfare activities,
etc...
Objective:
Hartford Police ERT members will make every effort to bring about a positive and
safe conclusion to a high-risk situation. It is incumbent upon the ERT to make
every attempt in utilizing the less than lethal options available prior to any
implementation of the HPD Firearms Guidelines General Order, 1-20. ERT members
will adhere to the highest standards of professionalism while in the performance
of their duties, and conduct themselves in the most honorable and professional
manner while working in a law enforcement capacity. The number one objective of
the Hartford Police ERT is to take every precaution necessary to assure the
safety and well-being of all parties involved including; innocent victims,
police personnel, and the perpetrator(s).
Hartford
Police's ERT consists of four squads: Entry/Breaching Team, Less lethal Team,
Repel Team, and the Marksman Team. Every member of the ERT has a specialty in
one of the four squads listed above, but every member is cross trained in all
areas, with the exception of the Marksman Team. Each member is trained in
Sub-Machine guns, close quarter combat, patrol techniques and motor vehicle
assaults.
The ERT trains
and works closely with the Negotiators and Bomb Squad.
Respect All… Fear None…
SERVICE, RELATIONSHIPS, SAFETY
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