The Emergency Service Unit operates at the direction of the command staff and responds to emergency and high-risk situations that occur outside the scope of duties of responding patrol and criminal investigation units. ESU members train continually both in-house, with other local, state, federal and military specialized units.

The ESU provides services comparable to the functions of a Special Weapons and Tactics or (SWAT) team. The ESU is trained to respond to high-risk, tactical operations involving barricaded suspects, hostage situations, high-risk warrant service, tactical crowd control and dignitary / VIP protective operations.