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Emergency Response Team |
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To address the increasing number of high-risk incidents, such as
barricaded suspects, hostage situations and warrant service, as
well as other specialized tactical assignments, law enforcement
agencies are creating specially trained and equipped units. The
Winter Haven Police Department created and utilizes a unit known
as the Emergency Response Team (ERT), commanded by the Captain
of the Investigative Services Bureau.
The creation of the ERT
stemmed from the recognition that the traditional police response
is neither suitable nor adequate in certain life-threatening
emergencies. The efforts of a few patrol officers with only
service weapons are quite likely to fail when they face heavily
armed or dangerous criminals. The task of intervention and
containment is best accomplished by a highly-trained, organized
team employing special weapons and tactics.
The ERT is capable of
providing a vast number of services to the community. The
protection of visiting dignitaries, selective enforcement in
high-crime areas or high-risk situations, civil disorders,
responding to natural disasters and terrain searches for lost
children or for physical evidence are areas where the ERT may be
utilized. Also, any task where a coordinated effort is required
to accomplish an objective, such as serving high-risk search
warrants, is executed by the ERT.
Members of the ERT are
selected from the ranks of experienced police officers at the
Winter Haven Police Department. Members must maintain good
physical condition and be proficient with a number of weapons.
Members must pass periodic physical proficiency tests to
maintain their position on the ERT.
The ERT philosophy is that all lives,
including those of hostile forces, are of primary concern, and
that it shall continually strive for a peaceful resolution of
any situation.
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Critical Incident Negotiations Team |
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The Critical Incident Negotiations Team provides specialized services in the area of
crisis/hostage situations. CINT consists of highly-trained
negotiators who utilize specialized communication skills and
tactics to help identify crisis situations and all relevant
participants. Once a crisis and its participants have been
identified, CINT establishes communications with the participants
and initiates efforts to resolve or defuse the crisis situation.
CINT's primary objective is to peacefully resolve stressful
situations that may otherwise end less favorably.
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Honor Guard |
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The Winter
Haven Police Honor Guard was established to represent the
department, its members and their families at police funerals,
parades and other ceremonial occasions. The goal of
the unit is to render honors, preserve tradition, stimulate
Esprit-de-corps, and instill pride. The Honor Guard exists
to pay respect and to give honor to those who serve in exemplary
fashion, and particularly to remember those whose lives were
dedicated to the service of their community.
The Honor
Guard is a self-sufficient unit that trains together as a
flexible and disciplined team. The Honor Guard personifies
professional decorum, respect, and strives toward perfection in
presentation and display of The Colors of the State of Florida
and The United States of America.
The Honor
Guard performs at public functions such as parades, police
officer burials, holiday observances and other appropriate
public exhibitions.
For more
information about the Winter Haven Police Honor Guard or to
schedule a function, please contact Sergeant Jim Jones at
863.291.5733. |
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