The Tactical Team is a component of the Gadsden Police Department Emergency  Services Unit. The Emergency Services Unit includes the Tactical Team, the Bomb  Squad, the Hostage Negotiation Team, and the Haz-Mat Team. The Tactical Team  works in conjunction with all the other component units of the E.S.U..The  commander of the E.S.U. is Lt. Mike Moon.

At present the Tactical Team has 13 officers assigned. The team leader is Officer Brandon Teague, the assistant team leader is Officer  Chris Haney. The team is made up of three elements. A six officer Entry Team, a  three officer Perimeter Team, and two Marksmen/Observer Teams with two officers each.

All members of the Tactical Team are required to complete  the Alabama Criminal Justice Training Center's basic SWAT training course. The  majority of the team members have also completed the US Army MP School’s Counter-drug Tactical Training course. Individual team members have completed tactical training courses provided by the Birmingham Police Department, the  North-East Alabama Police Academy, Armor Holdings Inc., and the Regional  Counter-drug Training Academy.

Team members go through a selection process that includes a psychological exam, a physical fitness test, and firearms qualification.  These standards must be maintained by the officers as long as they are members of the team. They are required to qualify with all firearms every other month. They must also pass physical fitness tests on a regular basis. The fitness test is comprised of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and a one mile run in full tactical  gear.

Recently the ESU Team “suited up” for a mock exercise at Gadsden High School. This was a large exercise involving the police and fire departments. Click on image below for larger view.