Crime and Courts

Law enforcement's Special Response Team

Posted: Oct 9, 2012 12:33 PM by Chet Layman
Updated: Oct 9, 2012 12:45 PM

BOZEMAN - For most of the law enforcement in the Gallatin Valley, the sheriff's department handles the county and the Bozeman Police Department takes care of the city limits of Bozeman. However, if a situation becomes serious enough that those groups can't handle it alone, there is a special team of highly trained officers who are called in to keep the peace. They are called the Special Response Team, SRT.

Ryan Stratman is a Tach Commander for SRT, and a lieutenant with the Gallatin County Sheriff's Department.

"SRT consists of 10 members of Gallatin County and 10 members from Bozeman police. Also has two members, one tach commander from the city and one tach commander from the sheriff's office. Additionally, there is a six-man team of negotiators that also responds with the team," he said.

SRT members are highly trained in lethal and non-lethal weaponry. SRT is not for rookies. Stratman says you can't even apply until you've been on the force for at least two years.

"They train 12 hours a month, specifically with the equipment and an additional four hours of just physical fitness. The equipment that's used is used to, whether it's to gain entry in to a place or force and individual out of a residence or a structure."

That's in addition to regular monthly law enforcement training. SRT goes on six to eight calls a year, like last week at Four Corners for a man threatening to harm himself and others. Fully equipped, highly trained, and staffed by both Bozeman Police and Gallatin County Sheriff's Department SRT.