Emergency Response Team
Welcome to the Emergency Response Team also known as ERT For short. ERT is the main division someone will join after completing college training. ERT Is the frontline force of the metropolitan police and responds to a wide range of calls and emergencies. Typically ERT Responds to calls including but not limited to; domestic disturbances, crimes involving weapons, and engaging the general public.
The division is run by two inspectors and five divisional sergeants and an active training team whose main job is to deliver training and development packages to the ERT. The team is always there for anyone who needs assistance and who is committed to ensure that you have the help and progression you need. After a seven-day probation period members of the ERT Can apply for training packages aimed to improve their current skillset and also allow them to progress to other divisions the current packages we offer are the following:
- Initial Pursuit Phase (IPP) - This course gives you the ability to pursue vehicles that fail to stop. IPP Training will teach you the procedures when in pursuit and how to stay safe until RTPC Arrive.
- Advanced Taser (AT) - Previously hosted in group sessions, the command team has now made this course 1 to 1 sessions allowing individuals to be trained more efficiently. AT Training teaches you de-escalation tactics as opposed to deploying your taser. AT Also teaches you how to properly deploy your taser and the procedures for doing so.
Further development packages - We have a wide range of development packages for ERT Members to use, these are a mix of self-learning packages and packages that can be applied for. These packages are:
- Prison Bus Driver (PBD) - Teaches you the correct procedures when driving the prison bus in a convoy.
- Arresting Officer Principles (AOP) - Teaches you in-depth legislation when it comes to arresting somebody, this package will also teach you what powers you have as a PC.
- First Response Basics (FRB) - This course is taught by NHS Trainers, this course will teach you basic medical information and treatment you can use to help injured members of the public or other officers.
- Pepper Spray (PAVA) - This course will teach the correct procedures when deploying your PAVA Spray and will also teach you how to treat someone after deployment.
These are the current packages we offer in the ERT, however, many more exciting packages are being developed to further our officer's skillsets and knowledge. Make sure to keep an eye out for when these are released.
Progression Routes
Desk Staff
After 7 days probation, ERT Members are able to apply to become a police staff member. A police staff members also know as desk staff is someone who mans a police station and is another friendly face of the police service. Desk staff duties vary from day to day however these are some of the situations desk staff deal with:
- Handling crime reports and passing this information onto Control or officers to deal with.
- Taking on missing persons reports and ensuring they receive the attention they require.
- Handing out crime prevention advice to the general public.
- Dealing with weapon/drug ahnds-ins from members of the public.
Joint Response Unit
After your seven day probation you can apply for JRU. This will allow you to work alongside LAS and respond to specialist scenes that require the best of both divisions. JRU includes the following:
- Basic FRB trained scenes
- Specilialist scenes
Subdivisions
Territorial Support Group (TSG)
TSG is a proactive subdivision of ERT, they are highly trained officers, who are trained in crowd control, building clearance, vehicle tactics and medical training. They are quite often utilised by CID for any building clearance they may need.
As TSG you have a few main tasks, some of these being:
- Cell work - assisting custody staff with suspects that are unruly or threatening the staff. Custody staff will request TSG to subdue the suspects and hold them to allow custody staff to carry out the custody booking safely.
- Public Support Unit - This allows four Level 2 trained officers to patrol in a van allowing them to have rapid response times to developing situations.
Advanced Response Officer (ARO)
Advanced Response Officer are the next step up for ERT officers. They are the ones who arrive on scenes first due to there higher driving speeds. They are expected to arrive quickly. Secure the scene and make sure anyone involved is ok. They then hand over to the next officer who arrives on scene allowing them to go back to State 2.
Another useful skill that they have is the ability to assist RTPC on pursuits with spikes. They are trained to the same level as RTPC in regards to spike tactics. This allows them to assist in bringing a pursuit to a safe resolution.
Rural Crime Team (RCT)
RCT deal with any crimes conducted offroad or up in the county. They have a fleet of All Wheel Drive, offroad suitable vehicles. This allows them to respond to calls such as missing person on trails, farmyard incidents and wildlife calls. They require no authorisation for most offroad situations.