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Since the late
1970's, the New
Hanover County
Sheriff's Office
Emergency
Response Team
has provided the
citizens and
surrounding
agencies with
highly trained
and well
disciplined
members capable
of dealing with
situations,
which require
Specialized
Weapons and
Tactics. During
this unit's
history numerous
high-risk
warrant services
have been
performed
resulting in the
arrest of many
dangerous
criminals.
Responsibilities
include
resolving
hostage
situations,
armed barricaded
incidents,
sniper
incidents,
aggravated
suicide
attempts, riot
situations,
aggravated
school violence
and high risk
warrant
services. To
assist with all
of these task
the team
receives
diversified
training. The
team is composed
of specialized
sections,
including an
Entry Team,
Tactical Medics,
Snipers,
Negotiators and
Logistics
officers. The
team takes great
pride in it’s
appearance to
the citizens,
performance in
protecting and
serving the
citizens and
it’s demeanor
when working
with the
citizens of New
Hanover County.
The Emergency
Response Team
has a very
strict
application
process and an
extremely
demanding
qualification
and selection.
With the
Columbine
incident of 1999
the team was
given a new set
of values that
had as its core
- School
Security. Nothing
ranks higher in
importance. Other
areas where the
Emergency
Response Team
plays a central
role include but
are not limited
to: Critical
Incident
Management,
tactical
assistance to
other units,
service of
outstanding
warrants,
and
Hostage Rescue.
Recruitment
-
The ERT
recruits
deputies in
good
physical
condition
with an
aptitude for
advanced
tactical and
marksmanship
training.
-
The
candidates
are selected
based on a
meticulous
application
process and
on their
performance
during a
rigorous
tryout and
physical
assessment.
-
If accepted,
they are
placed on
probation
for a period
of one year,
during that
time they
are trained
in tactics
and
protocols of
the team.
-
If the
candidate
successfully
complete the
one year
probation,
they are
then
appointed as
full members
of the team.
Training
-
The team
trains a
minimum of
16 hours a
month on a
variety of
tactics and
procedures.
-
Members
continuously
attend a
variety of
professional
law
enforcement
schools in
order to
maintain
their
current
skills.
Community
Service
Sheriff's
Citizens Academy
"SAFE" Summer
Camp
Ladies Day at
the Range
Various Displays
for Community
Organizations
School
Security
-
Nothing
ranks higher
in the team
priorities
than school
security.
-
The team is
always
working on
school days
and is
available to
respond in
the event of
a critical
incidents at
any school
in the
county.
-
The team
works
closely with
school
officials
and the
Sheriff's
School
Resource
Unit to
ensure the
children are
able to
learn in a
safe
environment.
-
The team
assists with
the
evaluation
of school
lock-down
procedures.
-
The team
provides
recommendations
to school
administrators
on how to
improve and
maintain the
security of
the schools.
Warrants
-
The team is
responsible
for service
of warrants
for the
Sheriff's
Office.
-
Felony and
Domestic
Violence
warrants are
given
priority.
-
When
requested,
ERT assists
other
divisions of
the
Sheriff's
Office and
other
agencies
with higher
risk warrant
services.
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