South Eastern SWAT Association 2009, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Team Spotlight
This page will showcase teams from the southeastern region.
ACCPD Strategic Response TeamThe Athens-Clarke County Police Department is located in Athens, Georgia, approximately 65 miles Northeast of Atlanta. The department has an authorized strength of 231 sworn positions, and 63 civilian positions. We were the 48th police department to be recognized nationally as an accredited police department and the first to receive certification by the State of Georgia.
Athens-Clarke County has a population of approximately 103,881 people. In addition to that number, the University of Georgia, the oldest state-chartered University in the United States, is located in Athens. There are approximately 30,000 students and approximately 10,000 faculty and staff positions at UGA. The University campus covers 4,308 acres in Athens with the main part of the campus adjoining downtown Athens
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department's Strategic Response Team (ACCPD SRT) is authorized 16 operators. The team serves in a part time status with each operator having a primary full-time assignment in Uniform Patrol or CID. ACCPD SRT currently has three vehicles for use on activations. Each team member also has an assigned vehicle, which has added security features allowing them to carry their assigned gear and weapons with them during their tour of duty. Weapon systems used by the team include the Colt M-4, H&K MP-5, Remington 870, Remington Model 700, and 40 mm launchers. ACCPD SRT carries both 40mm and 12 gauge less-lethal systems for use in patrol and SRT deployments.
The mission of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department's Strategic Response Team (SRT) is to resolve dangerous, or potentially dangerous, situations using advanced tactics and tools, which help to increase the likelihood for a safe outcome for all persons involved. In striving to achieve our mission, SRT members are provided advanced training and special equipment to respond to incidents that are beyond the scope of the average police officer or investigator.
Historically, in Athens-Clarke County, the most common type of incident requiring the Strategic Response Team's response has been a barricaded gunman situation. However, team members are also trained to resolve a wide a range of other incidents including, but not limited to, armed suicidal subjects, hostage situations, active shooters, vehicle takedowns, high risk warrant service, bus assaults, and the apprehension of violent wanted persons.
To become a member of the Strategic Response Team, eligible officers must successfully complete a rigorous selection process. The selection process tests physical fitness abilities, critical thinking abilities, and firearm skills. It concludes with an oral interview board. If accepted to the team, members attend regular monthly training in-house. Team members also often attend advanced training outside the department. The department has hosted tactical instructors from LAPD SWAT, IACP, NTOA, and FBI SWAT. Additionally, the team competes annually in the Southeastern S.W.A.T. Competition in Spartanburg, South Carolina and the Georgia Police and Fire Games. ACCPD was a runner-up in both competitions in 2008 and they won both competitions in 2009.
