Behind the Badge: Greenwich Police Dept Emergency Services Unit 

By James Bonney

When most people think of a SWAT team, they picture high-risk operations, tactical gear and dramatic incidents.

What they often do not see is the preparation that takes place long before an emergency unfolds.

For members of the Greenwich Police Dept’s Emergency Services Unit, commonly referred to as the SWAT team, readiness is built through training, teamwork and a commitment to serving the community.

Detective Justin Rivera, who serves as a team leader within the Emergency Services Unit, said the foundation of every successful response begins well before officers arrive at a scene.

“I think the first way to prepare yourself for that moment is to have already prepared in the past,” Rivera said. “We prepare through training, physical fitness and mental preparedness.”

The Emergency Services Unit is called upon in situations that require specialized skills, equipment and experience beyond what patrol officers typically encounter. Some deployments are planned in advance, such as providing security for large public events, parades or visits involving high-profile individuals. Other activations occur during unfolding critical incidents where additional resources are needed.

Rivera explained that unlike larger cities that maintain full-time SWAT teams, Greenwich officers serve in those roles in addition to their primary assignments within the department.

“We selectively choose our members based on their ability to be that person in the moment so that we can rely on them and each other,” Rivera said.

That reliance on fellow team members is one of the defining characteristics of the unit.

According to Rivera, the team’s effectiveness depends as much on trust as it does on tactical proficiency.

Within any organization, he said, culture plays a significant role. The Emergency Services Unit has developed its own culture through shared experiences, ongoing training and a genuine concern for one another’s well-being.

“Knowing that we are voluntarily not only being police officers, but putting ourselves in high-risk situations, we know that we want the right people by us,” Rivera said.

Members are expected to maintain a high level of physical fitness, continually train with specialized equipment and dedicate additional time beyond their normal schedules.

Unlike larger agencies with extensive staffing pools, Greenwich’s Emergency Services Unit relies on a smaller group of officers who must be prepared to respond whenever needed.

“We have a high expectation that when a call is made, whether it’s for a pre-planned event or a critical incident, our members are going to show up,” Rivera said.

That expectation can create challenges away from work as officers balance family obligations with the possibility of being called in at any time.

In addition to his SWAT responsibilities, Rivera serves as a detective. Both roles require availability beyond standard work hours and the willingness to respond whenever the department needs additional personnel.

Despite those demands, Rivera emphasized that service to the community remains at the center of the work.

One reason Greenwich continues to maintain a strong relationship between residents and law enforcement, he said, is the trust that has been built over many years.

“I think one of the big differences is that as a police department, generally speaking, we get really healthy buy-in from the community," Rivera said.

He compared that relationship to a plant that must be nurtured over time.

“If you don’t nurture the relationship throughout the life of the plant, when you want it to be green, you can’t suddenly demand it to be green,” he said.

According to Rivera, that investment benefits both residents and officers. During difficult situations, community members generally understand that officers are working to resolve incidents safely and professionally.

Likewise, officers approach interactions knowing they are serving a community that values cooperation and mutual respect.

“It’s not an adversarial relationship,” Rivera said. “Everyone is doing their best on both sides to make the community a safe place to be.”

As policing has evolved over the past 15 years, Rivera said one area that has received increasing attention is officer wellness and mental health.

Historically, law enforcement culture often emphasized toughness and discouraged officers from openly discussing the emotional impact of difficult experiences. That approach has changed significantly.

The Greenwich Police Dept has invested in peer support programs and mental health resources designed to help officers process stressful incidents and maintain their well-being.

“There is now much more of a push toward mental health than there used to be,” Rivera said.

Peer support officers receive specialized training and regularly check in with colleagues following critical incidents. Officers are encouraged to use healthy coping strategies, whether that means speaking with peers, participating in structured programs or engaging in physical activities such as running or martial arts.

“We do know that the answer isn’t in bad habits,” Rivera said. “If there’s anything that’s on the forefront right now of law enforcement, it definitely is an emphasis on mental health and well-being.”

While the public often sees the tactical side of Emergency Services Unit operations, Rivera said one of the most important aspects of the job is something people rarely ask about.

For him, the answer is camaraderie.

The trust developed through training, shared challenges and high-pressure situations creates bonds that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.

“When you have camaraderie and it’s further strengthened through times of stress and critical incidents, and the need to rely on each other, there are fun moments that come with that,” Rivera said.

For the officers who serve on the Greenwich Police Emergency Services Unit, the role extends beyond specialized equipment and tactical response. It is built on preparation, accountability and trust, both within the team and throughout the community they serve.

Behind every deployment is a group of officers who have spent countless hours training, supporting one another and preparing for moments they hope never come, but stand ready to face when they do.