E.S.T. or Emergency Services Team (Tactical)

A team known by many names...

Tactical Police Units are known by many names. Some departments call their team SWAT, SRT, EST, TST, HRT, etc. The names vary, but their missions are virtually the same. Most remain dormant until a crisis arises that beckons their need. Regardless of their moniker, if mentioned, people tend to understand that if their service is needed, things are not as they should be. The purpose of this page is to attempt to explain the existence of our team for a better understanding of them and their mission and why they are needed.

Mission

The role of Law-Enforcement is the protection of lives and property. This is the case in all situations. When situations are those such as riotous activity, insurrection, barricaded subjects, execution of narcotics warrants, arrest of dangerous felons, or the rescue of hostages or endangered persons, the situation exists outside what is common to the standardized patrol shift. Events of this caliber tend to call for a force that is trained for and specializes in these areas of operation. In the pursuit of this goal, the Boaz Police Department Emergency Services Team was established in December of 2002.

The Boaz Police Department Emergency Services Team (E.S.T.) is a team of specially trained police officers from participating political subdivisions, which will respond to any incident where there is a need for Special Weapons And Tactics within the jurisdiction.

The unit consists of highly trained personnel with specific skills in the areas of marksmanship, tactical response and containment, deployment of chemical munitions and hostage negotiations. The E.S.T. is under direct supervision of the E.S.T. Commander and Assistant Commanders with governing authority derived through the Chief of Police.

The purpose and intent of the E.S.T. is to serve as a specialized, flexible and mobile unit activated to assist in the containment, de-escalation and ultimate control of situations such as mentioned above.

 

Selection

In order to reach the goals set forth in the design of the E.S.T., certain criteria had to be implemented to ensure that the Team was built on a foundation that would be solid enough to stand the test of critics. Although some may consider critics to be of a nuisance, they are as important a part of the design process as weapons and gear selection for a team. If the critics are not at least in some part pleased with the quality of officers selected to operate as a Team, then a major portion of the Team's capability is effected. The critic needs to be able to step back and say "Yes, I am satisfied with this. These Officers are of high enough caliber to protect me and pull me out of an extremely unfortunate situation." Below is a list of criteria that was chosen to be a basis for Officer selection from interested candidates.

 

Selection Criteria

Based on the generally accepted philosophy by the members of the EST in the selection of Tactical Team Candidates, the following areas have been established as guidelines. Administrators may consider some areas more essential than others and may wish to emphasize specific issues in their use of this process. It should be noted that uniformity and specific written criteria are critical to the credibility of the selection process.

The following areas are general guidelines to be considered when evaluating a potential candidate. Please note clarification on some points. 

1. Attitude

2. Aptitude

3. Desire

4. Past Experience

   1. Military Service

   2. Specific Assignments (L.E. Experience)

      1. Investigations

      2. Narcotics

      3. Tactical

   3. Performance

      1. Past Performance Is Always The Best Indicator Of Future Performance.

5. Physical Condition And Appearance

   1. Be Able To Differentiate Between Good Health And Good Fitness.

   2. Eyesight Should Be Correctable To 20/20.

   3. Involved In Some Form Of Physical Activity On A Regular Basis.

   4. Well Groomed

6. Group Interaction

   1. Does Candidate Work Well With Peers?

   2. Is The Candidate Capable Of Accepting Criticism And Direction?

   3. Is The Candidate A Disciplinary Problem?

   4. Is The Candidate Confident In His Abilities?

      
      

Using the preceding guide as general guidelines, the following are the following are specific criteria that must be addressed when evaluating the candidate:

• Candidate must be a full time Law-Enforcement Officer and should have a minimum of 6 months Law-Enforcement experience. (If a candidate falls short of 6 months but meets all other criteria, the candidate may serve by way of inactive status until the requirement is met.)

• Candidate must be a motivated Law-Enforcement professional.

• Candidate has shown a dedication to training and reliability in attendance

• Candidate will be able to maintain a high-degree of physical fitness

• Candidate will be able to maintain a high-degree of firearms proficiency

• Candidate must not have a history of repeated infractions or a significant disciplinary action which would raise questions to his suitability for the EST assignment.

• Candidate must be in good physical health.