New York (N.Y.). Police Department. Emergency Service Unit

The Emergency Service Unit (ESU) is part of the Special Operations Division of the New York City Police Department and was formed in 1930. The unit provides specialized police tactical support and advanced equipment to other NYPD units. Members of ESU are cross-trained in multiple disciplines for Special Weapons and Tactics, barricaded subjects, hostage rescue missions, high risk search warrants, technical rescue and emergency medical service alongside law enforcement support operations. NYPD ESU is generally considered to be the oldest police SWAT unit in the United States. ESU is tasked with providing high risk search and arrest warrant service, hostage rescue, resolving barricaded subject situations, technical rescue, emergency medical service, police K9 support, and criminal HazMat and CBRNE handling. As of 2026, ESU consists of approximately 330 members, most of them holding the rank of detective specialist, who are stationed across multiple squads, or “Trucks” divided by borough.