Special Response Team
Trains to Remain in Readiness
 In
August of 1998 the Niles Police Department re-activated the Special
Response Team (SRT) after nearly a decade of inactivity. A
need was recognized by the City for specialized police training and
response for situations that could include barricaded gunmen, active
school shootings, bank robberies, civil unrest and other extremely
hazardous situations. Much of the initial start up costs for
required new equipment was generously provided by various local
businesses and individuals. The department has also acquired
additional used equipment from the U.S. Military at no cost.
Since that time team members have participated in over 95 regular
training sessions and 31 call outs. This is in addition to
individuals being sent to various tactical schools throughout the
region. Our team has trained with the Berrien County Sheriff's
Department and South Bend tactical teams on several occasions.
The exchange of ideas, methods and procedural understanding is
recognized to be an important part of maximizing taxpayer dollars
and officer safety.
In the spirit of the professional exchange of ideas, several
commanders of local special response teams have organized the
Michiana Swat Challenge. Elkhart County Sheriff's Department
hosted a recent year’s event and the Niles City Police Department was
invited to attend and compete against other local teams.
Berrien County Sheriff, Indiana State Police, Elkhart County
Sheriff, Elkhart City Police, South Bend City Police, LaGrange
County Sheriff and St. Joseph County Sheriff (includes Mishawaka
City) were all represented with some departments choosing to enter
two teams.
 The
specific exercises were not announced in advance. Teams
consisted of a five person entry team and one additional precision
rifle shooter (or sniper). Three exercises involved tactical
movement and shooting while the fourth task was an extended obstacle
course. Each task required the use of heavy tactical vests and
helmets. Each team member was required to be proficient in the
use of entry rifles, handguns, gas masks and radio communications.
While outfitted and performing the event, each team member was
carrying an extra 35-40 pounds of equipment. Team members for
Niles City included Lt. Mike Stanton, Det. Rick Krueger, Officer
Scott Swanson, Officer Amber Walters, Officer Chad Mitchell and
Officer Kevin Kosten.
Each exercise had detailed and specific instructions to properly
complete the task. Listening skills, firearms proficiency,
team movement and tactical safety were all thoroughly tested.
Members found themselves shooting the 40mm gas gun at a window size
target, patrol rifles at 7" paper plates from 100 yards and handguns
at similar targets at 25 yards. Each exercise was scored on
both time and accuracy.
The obstacle course required the wearing of all the heavy
equipment, carrying rifles and heavy ballistic shields, low
crawling, scaling a 6' wall, use of balance beam, pole carrying,
deploying a sniper/observer, moving through a section of woods
avoiding booby traps, fitting gas masks, entering and searching a
building locating several "bad guys" and rescuing a 180lb "hostage".
As you can imagine, this was quite a strenuous event. All the
obstacles and movements were completed together as a team, again
with deductions for errors.
  The
City of Niles SRT team finished in second place, nipping at the
heels of the Berrien County Sheriff's Dept. They competed
against some very well established teams from departments much
larger. After the awards presentation, several members of
those teams approached to congratulate the Niles SRT on their fine
showing. To make a special response team work well in a
department the size of Niles requires effort from many City
employees. Non team members are frequently called upon to
accent the work load during training and call outs. Our SRT
has two full time Niles City firefighters who serve as paramedics.
Residents should feel confident knowing the Niles Police Department
operates a competent SRT team to assist in times of trouble.
Pictures by Captain James Merriman
|
