This unit consists of four officers. This unit participated in several events including the Homestead parade, extra security during the Gage County Fair, and three officers participated in the annual Nebraska Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The Emergency Response Team was formed in 1988 as a cooperative effort with the Gage County Sheriff's Office and the Beatrice Police Department. The Beatrice Police Department has maintained a special weapons team since 1982 which consisted of a two man team. As of 1994, five police officers and three deputies train together an average of twelve hours every other month.
Training is the key to successful operation of any emergency response or special weapons team.
The monthly training allows the team to learn a variety of tactics and become familiar with several scenarios. The benefits of a special team are found in their ability to work together in highly stressful and often life threatening situations. By combining the resources of the Gage Co. Sheriff's Office and the Beatrice Police Dept. we are able to maintain a well trained, properly equipped team to deal with those special enforcement situations which occasionally occur. The criminal investigation unit was established in February 1993. This unit is currently staffed by one full-time officer and it commanded by the support services commander.