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The Emergency Response Team ('''ERT''') are the Paramilitary Police arm of the RCMP .


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 its duties mainly ended at the containment of the incident.


ERT REQUIREMENTS


To qualify for the ERT, a regular RCMP member (General Duty or otherwise) must have at least three years of experience in operations, excellent physical fitness, excellent shooting skills, excellent eyesight, and a suitable demeanour.
The requirements are harrowing and have recently been upgraded. The current failure rate is around 60% of applicants who are approved to try out for the ERT.


ROLES IN THE ERT


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 9 mm handguns, HK MP5 's, and C8A2 '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 will keep watch over the situation and neutralize a selected suspect with a single aimed rifle shot. In addition to assault skills, 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 Dog Service 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



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