Special Forces to SWAT?

[DarkFireTaker]

I remember watching Flashpoint, which I find very interesting and a great TV show especially because it's Canadian. During the episode where they introduce Sam Braddock, I think they said he joined their tactical team directly from JTF2. It's great on TV, but is it really possible in real life? I know for a fact that you can't join a tactical team directly from the Army, you'd have to apply for the police and go through what every other regular cop goes through.. but what about special forces?

Links regarding Flashpoint:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashpoint_(TV_series)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Characters_of_Flashpoint

 

[HItorMiss]

Having talked to a member of the OPP Tac Team, who used to be a member of JTF2

No you cannot you still must do the minimum beat time.

 

[Civvymedic]

I saw that original episode as well and I think how they play that characters history is he had taken a LOA from the Toronto Police Service having had some experience then went to the CF and JTF then came back to Police.....

Jeez and I was bugging my girlfriend the other day about her soaps.... :

 

[Greymatters]

Writers licence is a wonderful tool - how else are you going to get a superninja-spook ops-doorkicker on a SWAT team?

Plus its a lot cooler than saying the guy used to be top horse handler with the musical ride, or handed out the most tickets while with the traffic division.  Apparently just being a good dedicated cop isnt enough...

 

[CougarKing]

Will someone please correct if I'm wrong- SWAT units are called SRUs here, right? For both the RCMP and regional/city police forces like the VPD (Vancouver)?

 

[medaid]

NO

ERT is the RCMP and Most Municipals here in BC. SRU, ICE, HRT and other terms are used by different agencies and different forces depends on who's in charge when they first named it.

 

[Civvymedic]

I think you will find it's different everywhere. Ive worked alongside them here in Ontario and it varies. ETF Emergency Task Force. (Toronto Police), TSU Tactical support unit for some others.

 

[Greymatters]

Most LEA's in western Canada use the term ERT - at least they did as of a few years ago, has there been a trend in renaming these teams recently?

 

[medaid]

Most LEA's in western Canada use the term ERT - at least they did as of a few years ago, has there been a trend in renaming these teams recently?

Empire building?  ;D

 

[Nfld Sapper]

And here on the Rock its called the Tactical Response Unit.

 

[CougarKing]

NO

ERT is the RCMP and Most Municipals here in BC. SRU, ICE, HRT and other terms are used by different agencies and different forces depends on who's in charge when they first named it.

Thanks for the clarification. So you really don't like watching "Flashpoint" because of that character who the writer tries to make up to be ex-JTF2?

 

[Greymatters]

Actually we should be reading between the lines on this one - to make such an effort to make the police officer an ex-JTF2, doesnt it acknowledge that the public perception is that the best ERT members would be those that used to be with JTF2? 

 

[medaid]

Thanks for the clarification. So you really don't like watching "Flashpoint" because of that character who the writer tries to make up to be ex-JTF2?

I think it's stupid. No research... just pure bs.

 

[Haggis]

I think you will find it's different everywhere. ..... TSU Tactical support unit for some others.

Bosnian Police "SWAT" units are also called Tactical Support Units.  Worked with them on my last tour in Bosnia and they're pretty switched on.

 

[twistedcables]

FYI - JTF2 originated with the SERT (Special Emergency Response Team) of the RCMP (http://www.jtf2.forces.gc.ca/faq/index-eng.asp. - see question 9).  The RCMP's current tactical unit is called the ERT, Toronto's ETF (Emergency Task Force), OPP has several tactical units (http://www.opp.ca/specresteams/index.htm), and as the others mentioned, variations exist among the other services.

SWAT is an American term and is not used anywhere in Canada.  In fact, even Special Forces is an American term, whereas Canada uses Special Operations Forces (like CANSOFCOM) to convey the same idea.

Semantics really.

 

[stryte]

SWAT is an American term and is not used anywhere in Canada.  In fact, even Special Forces is an American term, whereas Canada uses Special Operations Forces (like CANSOFCOM) to convey the same idea.

Regina Police has a SWAT team. http://www.reginapolice.ca/swat.htm

 

[Greymatters]

FYI - JTF2 originated with the SERT (Special Emergency Response Team) of the RCMP (http://www.jtf2.forces.gc.ca/faq/index-eng.asp. - see question 9). 

FYI - You are misinterpretting that statement.  JTF2 took over the responsibility the SERT had, but did not originate from them...

 

[twistedcables]

http://www.jtf2.forces.gc.ca/faq/index-eng.asp#que-09

"Q9 - Hasn't JTF 2 been developed out of the Canadian Airborne Regiment?

A9 - JTF 2's soldiers perpetuate the proud tradition of Canadian Special Forces dating back to World War II. Although several members of JTF 2 served with the Canadian Airborne Regiment during their career, today's JTF 2 is very different from any other CF unit that preceded it. It has a rigorous training and selection process for modern-day operations, and a very unique role designed to counter modern threats to Canada.

JTF 2 was created on April 1, 1993 when the Canadian Forces accepted responsibility for federal counter-terrorism operations from the RCMP. Prior to the creation of JTF 2, the RCMP's Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) was responsible for federal counter-terrorism operations. Since its creation, JTF 2 has evolved, and this evolution is continuous. The threat of terrorism comes from an elusive, sophisticated and determined enemy. In order to maintain an edge on its potential adversary, JTF 2 is continuously developing new capabilities, technologies, and tactics."


Thank you GM for the correct phrasing.  I say it originated from them only because from what I know, many of the SERT guys went on the become the first JTF2 members - a very natural thing.

And thank you PILON - I stand corrected.  Other sources also stand corrected like,

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080813075042AAq1Crp

In fact, here's a recent story about the Regina SWAT:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2008/10/17/atm-arrests.html?ref=rss

Cheers

 

[HItorMiss]

Thank you GM for the correct phrasing.  I say it originated from them only because from what I know, many of the SERT guys went on the become the first JTF2 members - a very natural thing.

No they didn't...members stayed with SERT as they trained up members of the CF to hand over the job to a functioning unit who then went on to seek training from other units and validate their training.

 

[DarkFireTaker]

Yeah, that would make sense. I mean, if someone can't directly join a SWAT team from JTF2, then it would be the same for someone wanting to join JTF2 directly from SERT (at the time).

About using the SWAT term, lol I use it cause it's more common and I can get more people to understand what I'm saying. American terms seem to be big these days. About using the term in Canada, some police forces do, it doesn't matter. I mean, at the end of the day, they all have about the same goals and tasks (whether you call them SWAT, ERT, SRU, HRT, ETF, ETU, ERU, ESU, SRT, TRU, TIG, GTI, etc.). To me, they're all synonyms for some type of a specialized tactical/paramilitary unit composed of highly trained members of some type of police force.

In addition, got a video link for you guys concerning the Flashpoint TV Show ex-JTF2 now-SRU character Sam Braddock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pM4NA6K6oQ
What do you guys think? How accurately depicted is he?