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CITY of BRISTOL
 Police Department
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CENTRAL REGION EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM | |
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CRERT
Bristol, Southington & Plainville Police Departments
Captain Eric Osanitsch - Bristol Police
Captain William Palmieri - Southington Police
Team Leader: Lieutenant Brian Gould - Bristol Police
Team Leader: Sergeant Bobby Wilson - Southington Police |
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Officer Aleia, a precision marksman, sets up in the hide |
The Bristol Police Department’s Special Weapons And Tactics (S.W.A.T.) Team was formulated in 1996 after a tragic event that occurred in Bristol Connecticut. On May 18, 1996, Officer John Reilly was gunned down by an armed assailant. Officer Reilly was shot eight times in the line of duty after responding to a domestic violence complaint. The assailant-eluded police after shooting Officer Reilly and a large-scale manhunt ensued.
The Bristol Police Department had to rely on other agencies to assist in this manhunt, as the department was not equipped to handle this high-risk incident by itself. After this incident, Chief John DiVenere saw the need for the community and its police officers to be better equipped and protected to handle high-risk incidents. As a result, S.W.A.T. was formed.
The local team evolved into a Regional Tactical Team, now known as the Central Region Emergency Response Team (C.R.E.R.T.). CRERT is comprised of officers from the Bristol Police Department, the Southington Police Department, and the Plainville Police Department. The officers assigned to CRERT assume these duties as a secondary responsibility to their normal assigned duties. The officers are “cross sworn” to have legal jurisdiction where the crisis incident may occur. Upon being activated as a team, the officers assume a different chain of command and are assigned specialized equipment to facilitate their response to a given situation.
The mission of CRERT is to train and prepare a regional resource of specially trained officers who can professionally provide assistance to their own or other area departments in critical incidents. CRERT handles both high risk and low risk incidents. High risk incidents are those incidents involving an act of violence or potential violence in which police officers are at a disadvantage and subject to extreme danger, which includes but is not limited to; high risk Arrest and Search Warrants, hostage situations, barricaded subjects, sniper situations, crowd control and civil disorder, and witness/dignitary protection.
Low risk incidents are those incidents involving large area searches for missing persons, medical evacuations that require specialized skills (rappelling, etc.), large area evacuations, civil disasters, or other emergencies/incidents as directed by the Chief of Police or CRERT Commander.
The team consists of two Commanders, two Team Leaders, several Squad Leaders, Entry Team Members, Snipers, and Negotiators. The team receives training approximately two times a month and through this training is able to provide a safer environment for the community and its police officers.
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ERT Members Linskey and E. Ouellette practicing a rescue drill |
CRERT only selects those officers whom are physically and mentally fit to undertake the aforementioned specialized tasks. CRERT members are required to maintain fitness and shooting standards and are randomly subjected to testing to ensure standards are being met. CRERT members adhere to high professional and personal standards.
CRERT is well known throughout the SWAT community in the State of Connecticut. CRERT is proud to have taken back to back Championships in the CT SWAT Challenge. CRERT has also competed in the World SWAT Challenge and was honored to be amongst the best SWAT teams in the World.
CRERT is currently one of seven SWAT teams assigned to the Capital Region. CRERT can be called upon to handle high risk situations throughout Hartford County.
CRERT constantly prepares for crisis incidents and can be activated at a moments notice. CRERT members are very dedicated and handle their assignments with extreme professionalism. CRERT takes pride in its important role in the police department and the community as a specialized unit. CRERT is thankful to the community for their continual support.
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