I think you have to keep in mind that there are different mindsets involved when comparing the two. When we talk about the ETF, or any tactical team per say here in Canada, there is a certain secrecy to them. Plain and simple, we dont advertise what they do, what they carry, where they train, what they look like.......................etc, etc....
So when a tac team gets activated in Canada and show up on scene, the general public is either really impressed or scared shitless, depending on what side of the team your on. People tend to be in awe when they see something that they know exists but have never seen in action in real life.
In the States, there have been so many movies/tv shows/news depicting SWAT stuff, that people have become immune to it. Lets face it, most movies depicting this type of thing has cowboys going into buildings, shooting the place up, tearing the place down......whatever you like. reality, unfortunately gets blurred and people get stupid, SWAT has to take that into consideration and up the stakes in order that the members of the team go home at night. And thats the bottom line...................going home at the end of your shift. Also consider that almost everyone has a gun. Makes for uneasy activations if you dont have the upper hand intel wise.
And before you say it, yep, we are bombarded with the same images on tv as well, but I think, and its only my own opinion, that because our guys are not in the public eye on a daily basis, and had hollywood movies made out of them, we have the upper hand.
Either way, when SWAT/ETF/TRU/ERT.........whatever shows up....your in a world of hurt!
