Police Department Emergency Response Team (ERT)
The responsibility of the Decatur Police Department revolves around the protection of life and property, the protection of rights of persons, the enforcement of ordinances and regulations and the preservation of peace, order and safety. The mission of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) parallels the overall mission of the Decatur Police Department but, is applied in the arena of high risk warrant service, armed fugitive apprehension, hostage-barricade resolution, dignitary protection, crowd control, vehicular assaults, bus assaults, and the first response to a local or regional terrorist event.
Since 1998 the ERT has successfully deployed on over 1,500 operations, an average of 75 times a year, highlighting deployments of over 100 in the years 2005, 2006, and 2007. Because of the demand and need for specialized services of the ERT, the overall structure consists of 1 active operations commander, 16 assault officers, 4 snipers, and 7 negotiators. The team has been under the command of Lieutenant D. Taylor since 2002.
Because of the violent trends and methods of today’s violent criminal offenders, the Decatur Police Departments ERT officers are trained and utilize sophisticated automatic weaponry, extensive Kevlar protection, explosive devices, chemical munitions, less lethal weaponry, night vision goggles, thermal imaging camera’s ,GPS and electronic surveillance equipment. The Decatur Police Department’s ERT is one of the few downstate tactical teams recognized, certified, and experienced to make entries in to a methamphetamine lab or other environments requiring the use of SCBA tanks and hazardous material clothing. In addition and because of their abilities, the Decatur Police Department’s ERT has entered in to several mutual aid agreements, including the ILEAS alarm card response, to serve and respond tactical capabilities to several surrounding counties and municipalities if requested.
ERT members go through a vigorous selection process, attend certified tactical schools, and receive monthly training and certification of tactics and physical fitness abilities to remain on the team. ERT snipers have graduated from some of the United States most recognized and prestigious sniper schools. ERT negotiators receive specialized/certified training in negotiating principles and train quarterly each year.