Emergency Services Team

The Council Bluffs Police Department's Emergency Service Team (EST) is a specialized unit that is used in situations that would task the regular patrol response or place officers in unnecessary risk. Such situations might be a barricaded subject with a weapon, high-risk search or arrest warrant or a hostage situation. The ultimate goal of the team is to end a situation with no injuries to any persons involved, and a minimum of property damage.

Members of the team are volunteers from all divisions of the police department. They must meet standards before being selected to the team. This includes a fitness standard, shooting standards and passing an interview process with EST commanders. The unit trains together at least once a month. Members also attend any specialized training that become available and is financially feasible.