In the fall of 2006 The Martha"s Vineyard Law Enforcement Council (MVLEC), which was comprised of the island police chiefs, Dukes County Sheriff Michael McCormack, and Lt. Robert Moore (Retired) of the Massachusetts State Police, unanimously voted to create a regional tactical response team to assist in the response to critical incidents in support of the island's patrol force. The Massachusetts State Police Special Tactical Operations (STOP) Team was consulted and a framework was established for the creation of the team.

The goal of the tactical response team is to assist member departments in the containment, deescalation and ultimate control of critical incidents that exceed the capabilities of standard police resources, thus increasing the likelihood of a safe resolution.

For information related to the Martha's Vineyard Tactical Response Team please contact commanding officer James Craig of the Edgartown Police Department at 508-627-4343 or jcraig@edgartown-ma.us.

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