Did you know that the Waukee Police Department has three representatives on SERT (the Suburban Response Team)? SERT is made up of law enforcement professionals from across Des Moines Metro area suburbs. Through SERT, the suburban cities consolidate the part-time police tactical teams to provide specialized tactical and crisis negotiation responses to critical incidents and high risk situations.
Waukee's Sgt. Robert Gitzen and Officer Kyle Terlouw are both on the Entry Team, meaning they are tasked with forcibly entering structures. They are issued specialized weapons and gear due to this high-risk role, and would travel by armored vehicle in extreme cases. Sgt. Mackenzie Sposeto is a negotiator with SERT. She is specially trained to communicate with barricaded persons and also hostage takers.
In the photo, Sgt. Gitzen displays the gear and weapons of the SERT Entry Team.