|
Emergency Response Unit (ERU) |
|
The Worthington Police Department, in conjunction with the Nobles County Sheriff's Department, started the original unit with approximately ten officers in 1986. The team has expanded from 1986 to its present 17 officers. The team is made up of 14 City of Worthington Police Officers and 3 Nobles County Deputies. Officers specialize in the use of chemical munitions, negotiation techniques, weaponry, building entry, drug laboratory investigation, and includes a 2 man sniper/scout team. The Worthington/Nobles County ERU is responsible for handling a multitude of situations including: hostage subjects, suicidal persons, high risk warrant services, barricaded subjects and other public disturbances. These Officers receive approximately 80 hours of additional training during the fiscal year. Each Officer volunteers for duty as a member of the ERU. The team members must gain a high level of experience in tactical operations prior to their use as a primary team member. In 1999, 2000, and 2001 the Worthington Police Department's and the Nobles County Sheriff's Department's ERUs took part in annual training at Camp Dodge, Iowa's National Guard center located in Des Moines, Iowa. This training started in 1999 when the Rochester, Minnesota ERU invited our group to attend the training with them, Winona County (ERT) and Federal Medical Center (FMC) personnel. Click here for more information and pictures of the Camp Dodge training. The Worthington/Nobles County ERU hopes to expand further in the future with additions in personnel, training and equipment. The ERU will always show an advanced level of commitment to public safety and unyielding vigilance to the safety of the unit itself. |