Emergency Task Force (Toronto Police Service)

The Emergency Task Force is also responsible for responding to any terrorist incidents that occur throughout the City of Toronto.

In more complex calls involving suicidal, homicidal-suicidal, or violent emotionally disturbed individuals, a forensic psychiatrist, who has been on the negotiation team for the past 22 years, can be called to the scene to advise the negotiators and/or incident commander.

The ERU provides specialized equipment for the ETF, including high-powered lights, crane, and a mobile command post.

In a medical situation, Toronto EMS tactical paramedics in body armour work along with the ETF.

It contains: The teams train at their Don Mills station, as well as at CFB Borden,[2] a Canadian Forces (CF) base approximately an hour and a half drive north of Toronto.

[3] Less than lethal options are also at the disposal of team members: these include X26 Tasers, pepper spray (OC Spray) and tear gas (CS Gas), and rubber bullets or bean bag rounds.

Since the summer of 2005, the ETF has operated the Armet Trooper, which can be used to rescue injured civilians or officers.

A man with a history of domestic violence took a woman hostage, holding her at gunpoint during morning rush hour just outside Union Station in downtown Toronto.

[4][5] ETF responded to another operation that involved an off-duty 33 Division Officer inside a CIBC bank on Lawrence and Victoria Park.

The ETF and their psychiatrist negotiated with the man for over five hours and were successful in getting him to surrender; they were highly praised by the media for taking the time to resolve the scene peacefully.