These guys are a little different from the everyday police officer with their camouflage gear donned and AR-15 rifles grasped firmly in front of them.

Central Michigan University Police Department Det. Sgt. Mike Morrow, Sgt. Trent Case and Officer Riley Olson are members of Isabella County’s version of SWAT — the Emergency Services Team.

Consisting of 11 tactical members from CMU, the Mount Pleasant Police Department and Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, the unit is utilized for high-priority situations, such as barricaded gunmen and high-risk search warrants. There are three negotiators for crisis situations and a team commander.

“Our work goes in spurts,” Morrow said. “We may be inactive as far as actual call-outs for months at a time and, then, we might have two or three happen within two months time.”

Sergeant Trent Case of the Isabella County Emergency Services Team shows off his camouflage and rifle at a tree line Wednesday near the Outdoor Sports Complex. The team is utilized for emergency situations such as barricaded suspects, and hostage situations. (Jeff Smith / Staff Photographer)

Tactical approach

Members must go through a selection process, including a physical fitness test and interview. The team trains once a month and uses a variety of assault rifles, submachine guns and less-lethal items.

Olson said he has been able to transfer much of what he has learned in the ES Team to his regular policing duties.

“I just like the tactical approach,” he said. “It’s something else to concentrate on other than your typical law enforcement duties.”

There are some key differences between being a part of the ES Team and the regular police unit, Case said, as the circumstances can change at any time.

“I think a lot of people that belong on the team enjoy the tactical aspect and the sense of adventure,” he said.

Trained to outthink

Morrow said the most grueling part of the job is not necessarily the physical activity the Emergency Services Team goes through, but often the merciless weather conditions.

Several years ago, the team was sent to Clare to take care of a situation where a suspect fired at an officer and was still at large. Temperatures were below zero as the team attempted to track down the suspect throughout the city. During another situation in January, officers maintained a perimeter for three to four hours in weather 15 to 20 degrees below zero.

In the past, the team has only used force when absolutely necessary, Morrow said.

“We’re not crashing doors or wrestling with people — our goal is to outthink them,” he said. “We want to use whatever means we can use prior to using physical force.”

Olson said the team dedicates a large amount of time to planning and intelligence gathering. However, sometimes, peaceful negotiating simply may not be an option.

“We understand that the time may come where nothing else is going to be available but force,” he said.

E-mail the author: Jake Bolitho