The East Ridge Police Department maintains a fully equipped SWAT/ Special Operations Team made up of members of both the Patrol Division and the Criminal Investigation Division. Both the FBI and the U.S. Army have trained the East Ridge SWAT team. SWAT team members also attend joint training with both the Chattanooga and Hamilton County Sheriff SWAT teams. These officers must pass a rigorous physical fitness test, as well as completing a Basic SWAT course. The members of the team train constantly. This training can include firearms proficiency, tactical scenarios, medical/trauma training, rappelling, and the use of less-than-lethal devices.
In the event of a serious confrontation with a violent offender, high risk arrest/search warrants, barricaded suspect, or school/workplace violence calls, SWAT officers are deployed to take tactical control of the situation in an effort to contain and defuse the situation.
Officers assigned to SWAT are issued HK Tactical .45 caliber handguns, as well as HK UMP submachine guns, HK MP 5 submachine guns, HK 53 rifles, Colt LE-4 rifles, shotguns, and precision rifles.
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