Monmouth County Emergency Response Team (MOCERT) is operated by the County Prosecutors Office and integrates tactically trained officers from numerous municipal police departments to form one team. All team members have received advanced training in various fields which include but are not limited to Special Weapons And Tactics, high-risk warrant service, hostage rescue, barricaded suspects, active shooters and dignitary protection. Most recently team members training has included preparation for weapons of mass destruction and terrorism incidents.
Members train as a team bi-monthly as well as for several full weeks throughout the year. Officers are on call 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Semi-annually members undergo rigorous physical tests to remain on the team. In addition, members of the team must maintain the rank of firearms expert through firearms qualification scores.
The Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) is an additional County team, which members respond to MOCERT activations, natural and man-made disasters, school and workplace violence, crowd control, demonstrations, incidents of civil disobedience, missing person and open area suspect searches. Members must go through a rigorous try-out to ensure their physical condition. Hazlet Police’s Chief Ted Wittke is currently the Chief Coordinator of the RDF and the Hazlet Township Police Department has several members on both these teams.