Since the late 1970's, the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office Emergency Response Team has provided the citizens and surrounded 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, departmental Honor Guard duties and Hostage Rescue.