DuPage Police Form Countywide Task Force To Combat Violence, Major Crimes

DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin, flanked by DuPage County law enforcement officials, announces the creation of the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigative Team.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin held a press conference on August 7, 2019 to announce the formation of the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigative Team, also known as MERIT. MERIT is a county wide task force that will have 9 components, including SWAT, major crash reconstruction, crime scene investigations, computer forensics, crisis negotiations, and an incident management assistance team. The task force is a collaboration of more than 30 police agencies. This new initiative will help combat, and solve, violent and major crimes in DuPage County.

From the Daily Herald:

An unprecedented sharing of resources will ensure the "best of the best" in DuPage County law enforcement responds to serious crimes and critical cases, officials say.

Authorities on Wednesday announced the creation of the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team, or MERIT, a countywide task force formed by consolidating the Major Crimes Task Force and the Felony Investigative Assistance Team.

"Today is about public safety," State's Attorney Robert Berlin said during a news conference attended by nearly two dozen police chiefs. "The creation of a single countywide task force will improve the quality and effectiveness of investigations, result in better cases and stronger prosecutions, and make DuPage County an even safer place to live."

Read the full article here: https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190807/dupage-police-form-countywide-task-force-to-combat-major-crimes