The Regional Support Tactical Team (RSTT) was deployed 10 times over the course of 2019 - its 5th full year of operation.

Made up of members from the Morden, Winkler, and Altona police services, the team executed 1 high-risk pedestrian takedown and 9 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrants. According to an annual report, these actions resulted in significant meth, marijuana, cocaine, and proceeds of crime seizures.

"(It) was another good year for us obviously with the support of the chiefs and the RSTT board, going down to the team," said Constable Jonathan Goertzen, leader of the eight-member squad. "The work ethic of the guys on the team shows," he added.

Training continued to be a significant part of the team's regiment in 2019.

Members participated in 13 regular training exercises and continued to work closely with the Winnipeg Tactical Support Team and the RCMP Emergency Response Team. Members became fully trained in Less Lethal Options and attended numerous courses including, the Active Response Tactics Instructors course, Explosive Forced Entry Training, and a Ballistic Breaching course. The RSTT also had the opportunity to assist in training for the Estevan Police Service's Containment Warrant team.

Additionally, the past year saw the RSTT'S first-ever joint training session with crisis negotiators, incident command, fire departments from Altona, Winkler, and Morden, as well the Southern Emergency Response Committee (SERC). The training was structured towards unplanned high-risk calls such as armed and barricades, and hostage scenarios.

According to Goertzen, having all of these services on the same page during high-risk situations, like the one that unfolded in Nova Scotia on the weekend, is crucial.

"As far as communication, deployment, the speed, and accuracy of that information that's related are crucial. As well as joining with the other tactical teams in Manitoba, it's important for us to work together as communication, for the most part, becomes one of the biggest issues as there are different channels and options," he explained.

Meantime, Goertzen added last weekend's shooting rampage in Nova Scotia serves as an eye-opener that tragic events of this magnitude can happen in Canada.

"First and foremost, I feel sad for the loss of everyone involved and their families. I also think of the RCMP and the member that they lost, as well as the correction officers."

He noted this is also an important time for the RSTT to reflect on how it trains.

"How important it is for us to deploy in a quick manner, to get the proper gear and the proper training so that we can be there to protect our citizens," said Goertzen, adding this includes general patrol officers that call in for help.