Emergency Response Team
The RCMP Emergency Response Team (Or ERT) is essentially the Canadian equivalent of the SWAT Team.
Purpose and History of the ERT
The ERT is called in to deal with situations that are beyond the abilities of regular police personnel. Situations they are called in to deal with include:
- Serious Crime arrest warrants
- Hostage rescue
- Armed barricaded subjects
- Protective duties
They were founded in 1976, prior to this, a Hostage and Rescue Patrol (HARP) team was called in to deal with like situations, though it's duties mainly ended at the containment of the incident.
Roles in the ERT
To qualify for the ERT, an officer must have at least three years of experience in operations, good shooting skills, and excellent eyesight. The roles of the ERT members are:
Assaulter
Assaulters are the general members of the team. They must be trained to use Sig Sauer P226 9mm Handguns, HK MP5s, and M16A2's. They also learn
- Close-quarter shooting
- Use of specialized breaching tools
- Diversion devices
- Explosive entry tactics
- Aircraft and tubular assault
- High-risk vehicle assault, dynamic and stealth
- Building assault
- High-risk operational planning: immediate action,stronghold, open-air, ambush
- Bush training
- Camouflage
- Stealth movement
- Dynamic entry
- Chemical weapons
- Communications
Sniper
One of the more specialized roles, a sniper is an infantry officer especially skilled in field craft and marksmanship who stalks and kills selected enemy with a single aimed rifle shot. In addition to Assaulter Skils, they learn:
- Weapon safety
- Ballistics: weight, velocity, energy, trajectory
- Marksmanship: positioning, holding, pointing, aligning
- Position: prone, sitting, kneeling, standing,
- Weather / light conditions: sub-zero, snow, rain, wind, fog, cloud, heat, dawn, day, dusk, darkness
- Cover and concealment, movement without detection
- Target indication: arc and field of fire
- Distance judgment
- Image intensifiers
- Map and compass
- Communications
Helicopter Rappel Master
The ERT Rappel Master acts as the communication link between the flight crew and operational units aboard the aircraft and on the ground. The rappel master is responsible for the safe, swift, and efficient deployment of the assault group using signals to direct movement. In addition to Assaulter Training, they learn:
- Ropecraft
- Rappel anchor system
- Fastrope
- Telecommunications
- Equipment assembly and installation
- Tactical deployment methods
ERT with other Departments
Depending on the circumstances, ERTs work as a separate unit or in cooperation with other RCMP special operations units including Tactical Troops, Proceeds of Crime, Drug Enforcement, Police Service Dog Teams, and Protective Services. ERTs also assist Government of Canada departments, such as Canada Customs and Revenue, and join forces and share resources with other local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime.
See Also
External Links
