Oneonta Police Department Special Response Team (SRT)

The City of Oneonta Police Department's SRT is a specialized unit, formed in 1991, to provide a rapid response to high risk situations requiring techniques, equipment, and training beyond those offered by regular patrol officers.

(L to R) SRT Team leader Sgt. Flavell, OTEMS medic Russo, officer Pajerski, Officer Fetterman, Officer Collison, Team Leader Sgt. Thomas, OTEMS medic Fernley (not pictured are Det. Witzenburg, Sgt Brenner, and Sgt. Barber)

All SRT members hold other full time positions in the Oneonta Police Department's Uniformed Patrol or Detective Divisions.  Applicants are selected on the basis of their motivation, experience, level of physical fitness and firearms proficiency.  Furthermore, members are required to maintain a high standard of physical fitness and weapons-handling proficiency throughout their assignment to the team.  The SRT  trains on a regular basis, and is trained and equipped to handle assignments such as hostage situations, barricaded suspects, high-risk arrest and search warrants, and active shooter incidents.

Officers Fetterman and Sgt. Thomas suiting up for a raid (OTEMS Medic Fernley in the Background)

Members “standing down” after mobilizing for a high risk search warrant

The mission of the Oneonta Police Department Special Response Team is to support the Oneonta Police Department and any other requesting law enforcement agency with a tactical or specialized response to critical incidents. Critical incidents consist of, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Hostage Situations: The holding of any person(s) against their will by an armed or disturbed suspect(s).
2. Barricade Situations: The standoff created by an armed or potentially armed suspect in any location, whether fortified or not, who is refusing to comply with police orders.
3. Sniper Situations: The firing upon citizens and/or police by an armed suspect, whether stationary or mobile.
4. High-Risk Apprehension: The arrest or apprehension of an armed or potentially armed suspect(s), or where the likelihood of resistance is high.
5. High-Risk Warrant Service: The service of search or arrest warrants where the service of the warrant requires the use of special equipment and/or trained personnel.
6. Personal Protection: The security of persons based on threat or potential threat to the well being of those persons.
7. Special Assignments: Any assignment approved by the Chief of Police or Office of the Lieutenant, based upon the degree of potential threat.
8. Critical Incidents: Any situation, emergency or disaster where specialized training and equipment will provide safety, stability and response.

SRT Officers receive extensive training.  The "Basic Operators Course" is where officers learn the fundamentals of police tactical operations. 

Officer Pajerski moving during an entry

Officer Fetterman reloading during a move and shoot scenario

Team members are taught tactics that emphasize safe resolutions to volatile situations.  Beyond this, officers also receive "Specialized Tactical Training" and instruction in:
Forcible Entry Tools and Techniques, Less-Lethal and Non-Lethal Systems, Specialized Apprehension Techniques, Vehicle Rescues, Animal Control Systems, Rigging & Line Rescue, Explosives Recognition & Handling, and Crime Scene Response.  Within this training section, the officers are introduced to and become familiar with a wide variety of specialized tools and equipment.

Officer Collison, OTEMS member Andy Turner, and Officer Pajerski

OTEMS Frank Russo, Officer Collison, OTEMS Andy Turner and Barry Wallace, followed by Pajerski doing a stack simulation for a building entry.

The City of Oneonta SRT is supplemented by and trains in conjunction with the Oneonta Fire Department's Tactical Emergency Medical Services (OTEMS) Team.  OTEMS is based with the City of Oneonta Fire Department, and provides highly skilled and educated Tactical Medics who can facilitate immediate and long term pre-hospital care to law enforcement, bystander and suspect. The mission of OTEMS is to extend the scope of SRT, by providing quick, quality patient care in any tactical setting.