Tactical Team

The Tactical Unit is a specialized team within our Service, trained and equipped to respond to the most dangerous and complex situations. Operators are on-call around the clock and commit to ongoing training to ensure they can respond quickly and effectively when needed.

Serving in the Tactical Unit is one of the most challenging and respected roles within policing. Operators must demonstrate discipline, teamwork and a commitment to safeguarding the public in the most critical situations.

The Tactical Unit is a highly trained group of officers who respond to incidents that go beyond the capabilities of standard patrol. These situations often involve weapons, violent individuals, or operations requiring advanced tactics and equipment.

The CPS offers a variety of educational programs, including:

The Tactical Unit is called out for:

• High-risk incidents involving firearms or other weapons
• Execution of criminal search warrants
• Assisting frontline patrol officers with specialized skills and equipment

On average, the Tactical Unit responds to about 1,000 calls each year.

Operators undergo continuous training in areas such as:

• High-risk warrant execution
• Hostage rescue
• Rappelling and high-angle operations
• Explosive forced entry and disposal
• Specialized weapons and containment tactics

To maintain peak readiness, Tactical Unit members train with a variety of partners, including:

• FBI Hostage Rescue Team
• Canadian and American military units
• RCMP Emergency Response Teams
• Other municipal police tactical units
• Numerous other international agencies

These collaborations ensure operators stay current with global best practices in tactical policing.

Joining the Tactical Unit is both demanding and rewarding:

1. Selection & Training – New members complete the Basic Tactical Operators Course, a six-month program covering over 40 specialized skill areas.
2. Probation – Following training, members serve a six-month probationary period, responding to live calls and warrant operations.