The Emergency Response Team (ERT) is a part-time team that provides specialized weapons and tactical support to control, contain and safely resolve potentially dangerous situations.
It is comprised of officers who work in all areas of the operation full-time, such as Patrol, General Investigation Services and the Drug Unit.
ERT is mobilized an average of once per month to safely resolve any highly volatile situations in the region.
Examples where ERT may be used:
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Confirmed firearm/weapon situations
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High-risk prisoner escort
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Hostage situations
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Barricaded persons
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High risk warrant situations
The team uses state-of-the-art weapons, including tactical communications equipment and the M26 Advanced TASER.
The team constantly trains for different threat situations and develops less-than-lethal strategies to deal with high-risk offenders.
The team has also developed and delivered a specialized "Police Containment Course" for the Province of Nova Scotia Police & Public Safety Service.
Members of the Emergency Response Team are selected through a rigorous screening process:
 
Members of ERT are trained in a variety of specialized areas:
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Negotiation and verbal conflict resolution
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Specialized weaponry
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Sensory irritant deployment
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Coordinated team deployment tactics
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Tactical marksmanship
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Subject control techniques
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High risk/known risk vehicle stops
Critical Incident Negotiators
Negotiation is always the preferred method of solving a critical incident. Halifax Regional Police has fully-trained negotiators available around the clock. These officers are used in suicide attempts, hostage situations and with barricaded persons. They work closely with the Emergency Response Team to provide a non-invasive end to potentially hostile or life-threatening situations.
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