The mission of the Yankton Police Department Multi-Jurisdictional Special Response Team is to provide a well-disciplined, well-trained, efficient unit, which can be utilized by the Chief of Police in situations where the public and individual officers are in extreme danger and at a distinct disadvantage.

SRT, which stands for Special Response Team, is made up of seven sworn officers that are subject to call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, two sworn crisis negotiators are assigned to call outs. This is in addition to their regular duties and assignments. The Team is commanded by Sergeant Rob Buechler who was appointed by the Chief of Police and is under the direct supervision of the Patrol Commander. Each team member must meet strict requirements and goes through a rigorous selection process. The Team trains on a monthly basis to be prepared to handle a variety of high-risk critical incidents.

When a situation dictates the need of the specialized equipment and the tactically trained officers that SRT has, the Team responds and assumes the tactical operations of the incident. The Team is utilized for incidents such as hostage situations and negotiations, barricaded suspects, service of high-risk warrants, drug raids and search warrants, searches for armed subjects, VIP protection, stakeouts and undercover surveillance, civil disorder and other special events. SRT handles any incident which has a propensity for armed confrontations, which thorough containment and specialized tactics would more likely be resolved without injury or loss of life.

Yankton Police Department 
410 Walnut Street
Yankton, SD 57078
Phone: (605) 668-5210 - Non-Emergency