Physical rigors, mental fortitude test SWAT recruits’ true grit
They came from different ranks and units, with cargo pants and duty belts, looking prepared for the rigors of a test that would open the doors to one of the police bureau’s most elite teams.
Around a conference room table at the Pittsburgh police bureau’s North Side headquarters last week, they looked unfazed when a lieutenant reminded them that the SWAT team is an around-the-clock commitment, for both them and their families.
“If this is what you want to do, you’re expected to be here for the call-outs,” Lt. Joseph Tersak told the nine candidates before they set out on the daylong tryout. “Thank you for your interest. And good luck.”
But, as a message scrawled on a white board inside their heavily armored truck would caution, “Luck is not part of this operation!”
Instead, a mix of physical stamina and mental fortitude would help them pass this test. But even passing doesn’t guarantee them a spot on the tactical unit, which is expanding from 39 to 46 members.
Those who qualified during tryouts last week must also excel during even more strenuous basic and advanced SWAT training before they are ranked and finally chosen by the police chief.
Scott’s Sheriff of the Year takes serving to heart
Fliers, a stack of them, sat at John Lizenby’s right elbow. They told of a 26-year-old missing woman.
Nina Rae Keown’s mother had called Lizenby, Scott County’s sheriff, every morning since the disappearance. She hoped for answers that Lizenby hoped he could give soon.
“I’ll probably get the posse out,” he said. “You search. Maybe you find something.”
Only in some counties does a distraught mother even have the sheriff’s direct phone number. Only in some does a sheriff have a posse – yes, on horseback – to deploy. And only in some, for that matter, would a missing adult register so high on the scale of worries.
Over a career perhaps in its final months, Lizenby has made sure that Scott is one of those counties.
“He stands up for the people,” said Daniel Cole of Austin, no matter that he has spent time in Lizenby’s jail. “He’s not one to pin a badge on him and let it go to his head.”
This time in Lizenby’s presence to apply for a gun permit, Cole admired a plaque the sheriff received recently from the Indiana Sheriffs Association. Lizenby is the group’s 2010 Sheriff of the Year. He was nominated by employees and elected leaders who agree with Cole.
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Seven year old joins SWAT Team
Officer Jason Armstrong
The Norfolk Police Department welcomed a new member to the SWAT Team on Friday, and he is only 7-years-old.
With help from a local advocacy group known as the ROC SOLID Foundation, 7-year-old Hayden Miller, who is battling cancer, went out and struck a deal with Norfolk police.
“Our primary goal and our primary outreach is to give positive change and hope to children dealing with pediatric cancer,” said Eric Newman of the ROC SOLID Foundation.
“He’s gone through a heck of a lot more than any of us will ever go through,” said Jason Armstrong from the Norfolk Police Department.
Armstrong was the first to answer the call from ROC SOLID. He said this request was a natural fit for the SWAT TEAM.
“He kind of characterized the spirit of what we believe in. Team and Loyalty,” said Armstrong.
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Retired sheriff’s detectives foil bank thief
Two retired Los Angeles sheriff’s detectives have foiled a bank heist by the so-called “Lumberjack Bandit” by pulling out their weapons before he had a chance to grab his own.
The FBI says 28-year-old Mauricio Enriquez of Mexico was arrested Wednesday without gunfire as he attempted to rob a downtown Wells Fargo bank. Federal prosecutors have charged him with five bank robberies since June 18.
Two undercover bank security officers—66-year-old and 67-year-old former detectives—recognized Enriquez from a wanted poster when he walked into the bank.
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BSPD introduces new K-9 unit
The Blue Springs Police Department will have a new officer join its ranks soon – Bandit a 21-month-old German Shepherd.
“Right now we have one K-9 unit. With Bandit we’ll be able to have two, which will allow a K-9 unit on duty at all times,” said Sgt. Don Rapp, in charge of the K-9 program.
Bandit was born in the United States but has European import lines, Rapp said. Currently, he’s living at Von Henger Kennels, in Kingsville.
“Originally, Bandit was a pet so he didn’t grow up, so to speak, with K-9 handler training,” Rapp said. “He’s incredibly smart and according to his trainer at the kennel, he’s a natural at narcotics detection. He’ll need another three months of training at the kennel, then he’ll be transported here and undergo another month of a handler’s course.”
Bandit’s handler and partner will be BSPD officer Weston Kendal.
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Introducing Mishawaka’s new K-9′s
- Corporal Anthony Stachowiak, Mishawaka K-9 Officer
They are the newest members of Mishawaka’s finest and boy, are they new. K-9′s Rex and Max made their journey from the Netherlands, to Pennsylvania to Mishawaka just 9 days ago.
Corporal Anthony Stachowiak, a Mishawaka K-9 Officer says, “I am overly excited. I cannot wait to start working. I love to work with dogs. I’ve been waiting a long time for this, too.”
Brand new K-9 officer Corporal Anthony Stachowiak and current K-9 officer Sgt. Chad Thomas chose them at a specialized police dog kennel in Pennsylvania.
Corporal Chad Thomas, a Mishawaka K-9 Officer says, “It’s been an adventure. It’s good. I mean for a young dog. He’s 13 months old so it’s been exciting, I’ll put it that way.”
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Brownsville hosts Valleywide SWAT team competition
SWAT teams from across the Rio Grande Valley met in Brownsville on Wednesday to put their skills to the test.
“We have SWAT teams representing all the way from Hidalgo County and all the way down to Brownsville,” Brownsville Police Lt. James Paschal.
Officers from the different agencies battled it out at the Valley-wide SWAT team completion held at the Ruben Gutierrez Memorial Firing Range in Brownsville.
The event was all in efforts for the officers to learn and gain experience on the field through friendly challenges.
“The importance of this competition is you know networking…working with the other teams but the underlying issue is working on training together,” said Lt. Paschal.
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Police ‘K-9’ joins Waynesville Downtown Dog Walk Saturday
“Booger”….LOL! Great name for a K9:)
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Capt. Mike Evans and Booger will represent the Haywood County police departments’ K-9 units in Saturday’s Downtown Dog Walk, hosted by Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation.
Evans purchased Booger, a 17-month-old Belgium Malinois, when he was 4 months old.
“I began training him a few weeks after I got him,” Evans said. “Booger is a dual purpose K-9, which means he not only works in narcotics but he also is certified in officer safety. He got his nationally accredited certification when he was 11 months old.
“By the time he was 15 months old he was certified in drug and bite work. However, Booger knows when the work day is over and, like any good officer, he is a friend to people in the community and loves to be around kids.”
Evans donated Booger to the Town of Clyde after he was fully trained. Evans has been a certified canine handler since 1992 with the North American Police Working Dogs Association.
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SWAT teams get fired up in competition
Several gunshots echoed through the field as a sniper with Brownsville police eliminated each target down range to provide a clear path for his teammates.
Once the signal was given, three officers wearing tactical gear sprinted across the field with their assault rifles to eliminate the remaining targets. After all the targets were hit, the men headed back toward the start-finish line while having to clear a set of obstacles.
After reaching the finish, the men breathed a sigh of relief as they checked their time and waited for the next team to compete during the first Rio Grande Valley SWAT Team Competition.
According to Brownsville Police Chief Carlos Garcia, the event is a friendly competition among tactical teams to help them network and bond.
SWAT refers to special weapons and tactics, a unit of highly trained police officers that are called to handle high-risk situations.
Garcia hopes the event becomes a yearly competition and allows for closer relations among the area’s police departments.
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