July 19, 2005

East Lansing - The Michigan State Police (MSP) Emergency Support (ES) Team is now better equipped to respond to situations involving hostage rescue, barricaded gunmen and counter terrorism with the addition of night vision goggles, because night vision capability enhances officer safety, as well as response.

The ES Team is currently learning to use Sensor Technology Systems’ Low Profile Night Vision goggles, with binocular and monocular abilities. The binocular goggles provide night vision to both eyes with a wider field of view than typical night vision goggles, as well as a Heads Up Display feature that allows users to access thermal imaging, GPS information and a camera. The monocular goggles provide night vision sight to one eye allowing the other eye to see in normal vision, which is valuable in situations where lighting conditions change rapidly.

"With advanced night vision go ggles, our abilities to counter terrorism and special enforcement operations are significantly improved," stated Lieutenant David Bower, commander of the ES Team. "By combining multiple technologies, such as night vision and thermal imaging, we are able to e nhance officer safety and gain greater access to potentially critical information."

Created in 1974, the ES Team is more commonly known as the MSP SWAT team. Members of this statewide team are specially trained to provide tactical support during high-risk critical incidents, such as barricaded gunmen, hostage rescue, high risk warrant services, and Regional Response Teams support for a potential weapons of mass destruction incident. The ES Team is comprised of 41 tactical members, 14 negotiators and two behavioral science psychologists. ES Team members are assigned to full-time positions within MSP and are activated according to their proximity to the location of the request. In 2004, the ES Team responded to 128 calls for service.

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