This intensive course will prepare officers for any scenario, from planning a raid to handling gas and distraction devices.
BEAUMONT, Texas — The Beaumont Police Department has introduced new hands-on training to help officers deal with worst-case scenarios.
The 60-hour SWAT (Special Weapon and Tactics) training involves handling a hostage situation and communicating with a barricaded suspect.
Training like this is vital for officers who will need to make split-second decisions to save lives.
Officers from across our region gathered on Wednesday to test if they have what it takes to be part of a fast-moving SWAT team.
“The best of the best, whether it’s training…or officers in general, to be on the swat you have to be the best of the best,” said sniper team leader Jared Dupree for 15 years.
This intensive course will prepare officers for any scenario, from planning a raid to handling gas and distraction devices.
“From swat you learn over the years that we don’t have close candidates trying out for SWAT so our goal here with the Beaumont Police Department is to spread the wealth and ask newcomers to become SWAT operators “, said Dupree.
However, starting this training program does not mean that you will finish it.
Beaumont Police Officer Haley Morrow said since training began on Sunday some people just couldn’t hack it.
“We started with 24 officers and went down to 16 for this basic SWAT school. We have over eight different participating agencies. It is organized and instructed by police officers from Beaumont who are part of our SWAT team,” she said.
If all goes according to plan, these 16 officers will get their basic SWAT training to return to their home agencies and share the action skills they learned at Beaumont.
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