The Greenfield Police Department Special Response Team was first established in 1993. Comprised of three distinct sections, Command, Negotiations and Operations the team can function seamlessly in high-risk environments. Structured using a "two-deep" philosophy, each position from Commander to Operator has a trained back-up officer to ensure functionality in all conditions. Presently comprised of 17 dedicated officers of all ranks and assignments it stands ready to serve the people of the community and the area when its abilities are needed. Although armed with an array of high-tech equipment to include lethal and less lethal weapons, body armor and bullet-resistant shields, diversionary devices, gas and surveillance cameras and recording devices the Team is supported and maintained through generous donations and fund raising efforts and not through the Departments' budget.
Commanding officer for the Team is Captain John Newton whose assignment is overall supervision and control of Team functions and activities. CPT Newton is responsible for on-scene command during Team deployments and for coordination with outside entities as required in the given situations such as fire, emergency medical, HAZMAT, air assets, assisting tactical teams and support units as well as coordination with patrol force personnel. Lieutenant Gary Magnan is assigned also to the Command section and acts as Assistant Team Commander and backup to CPT Newton. LT Magnan's responsibilities include assisting in general oversight of the Team, overall situational command and assuming full command from CPT Newton during extended deployments and multiple operational periods.
Detective Lieutenant Joseph Burge is assigned as the Team's Executive Officer and tactical operations commander. DLT Burge is responsible for day-to-day oversight of training and deployments. Trained and certified in specialty areas such as firearms and defensive tactics instruction, gas and diversionary device deployment, high-risk and sniper operations, DLT Burge has proven himself to be a capable leader. Patrol Lieutenant William Gordon and Detective Sergeant Daniel McCarthy are assigned as Operations team leaders. Their responsibilities are to supervise and lead their respective teams in training environments as well as during actual deployments. Nine of the remaining 12 officers are assigned as operators to one of two deployment teams. Each individual officer is assigned a primary responsibility whether it be Sniper/Observer, Team Leader, Entry, Breacher, Security, or Trailer and they are cross-trained in another specialty area to ensure that all essential functions have a back-up in keeping with the "two-deep" focus.
Three officers are presently tasked with the daunting assignment of negotiations. Sergeant Ralph Odom, Officer William Trueswell and Detective Mark Williams are each attached to the Team as negotiators. SGT Odom is responsible for general oversight of this cadre and all three have attended specialized and advanced negotiations training. Deployed in several tense situations over the preceding two years, they have been able to resolve potentially deadly incidents with skill, ability and without injuries.
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