Local News
County SWAT team participates in international roundup
Special to
Published: December 21, 2012
SEBRNIG - The Highlands County Sheriff's Office Special Weapons And Tactics team participated in the 30th Anniversary SWAT Roundup International held Dec. 2-7 at the Orange County Sheriff's Office Range.Published: December 21, 2012
The event featured 51 teams from across the globe and included training, a trade show, education and competition. The Orange County Sheriff's Office, Orlando Police Department, Florida SWAT Association, Winter Park Police Department, Maitland Police Department and the Criminal Justice Institute at Valencia Community College collaborated to present the event. Along with several teams from across Florida and the United States, teams from Sweden, Bosnia, Hungary, Jamaica, St. Maarten, Brazil, Switzerland and Romania participated.
The competition was made up of six individual challenges: Hostage Rescue, Two Man-Four Gun Challenge, Pricher Scramble, Officer Rescue, Tower Scramble and Obstacle Course.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office team won the overall title with the San Antonio (Texas) Police Department finishing second. The Highlands County Sheriff's Office team finished 25th which included an 11th place finish in the Two Man-Four Gun Challenge and a 15th place in the Obstacle Course segment.
HCSO Lt. Jack Bailey, SWAT Team leader, was pleased with the performance of the team. "For some of the teams in this competition, SWAT is their only duty where our team members are full-time deputies and participate in SWAT on a part-time basis," Lt. Bailey said. "Taking this into consideration, I feel we did an exemplary job and I'm very proud of the performance of our team."
According Sheriff Susan Benton, "We should be so proud of our team, not just for their performance but for their readiness and willingness to serve our citizens at this advance level in these dangerous situations."
For complete results of the 30th Anniversary SWAT Roundup International, visit www.swatroundup.net.