Emergency Services Unit

The Emergency Services Unit, sometimes referred to as SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics), of the department is made up of 15 dedicated, highly trained, and motivated police officers who are always on call. The Emergency Services Unit handles high-risk warrant services, hostage situations, barricaded subjects, civil disturbances, and other high-risk situations. Hostage/Crisis Negotiators and Snipers also complement the ESU Team. The HPD ESU Team has 3 trained snipers. These snipers carry out team protection, forward observation and intelligence gathering objectives.

Members of the ESU TEAM are supervisors and officers who carry out regular duties and responsibilities as well as that of an ESU Team member. The ESU Team holds regular meetings and exercise drills to keep their level of proficiency at its highest.

To become an ESU TEAM member, officers must undergo extensive additional training in the use of sophisticated firearms and the utilization of advanced technological equipment. They are trained in the use of force and timed entry techniques, and are skilled in crowd control and crisis negotiation. To maintain their membership on the team, officers are required to test yearly for fitness and firearm certification.