The Emergency Task Unit is comprised of specially trained officers, who deal with specific emergency situations.  Their primary objective is to settle high risk incidents through non-violent resolution, such as by confining threats to a particular area, or using negotiations to resolve a situation safely.  However, members are trained to use specialized equipment and weapons, and are proficient in using them when force is necessary.

Officers are trained to deploy in a variety of ways
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The ETU provides specialized support to ensure the safety of the public, police and the suspect.

Their primary responsibility is to provide tactical support for high risk situations.  They provide an immediate action response to hostage takings until the arrival of a hostage rescue unit (i.e. the Ontario Provincial Police Tactics and Rescue Unit).  They provide support in situations where there is a person who is barricaded and armed with a weapon, where a suicidal/mentally ill person is armed, and assist when the Canine Unit is tracking suspect(s) believed to be armed.  They also assist in the execution of warrants where suspect(s) believed to be armed, and provide security to visiting V.I.P.s.

In addition to these dangerous and high risk situations, the Emergency Task Unit may also become involved in lower risk situations.  These include:

• the execution of warrants where premises are believed to be fortified against entry and/or large quantities of drugs are kept;
• securing road blocks;
• building and area searchs;
• court security; and;
• various other duties requiring an ETU presence

The Emergency Task Unit may also become involved in search and rescue operations, and coordinate and assist in searches for missing/lost person(s).  This is necessary when there are considerations of age, health or mental states to the missing/lost person(s), or when geographic-environment conditions require the ETU's specialized training and experience.