SWAT Team earns win in competition through dedication

Thirty years ago this August, Chesterfield County Police Department Special Weapons And Tactics Team marked its first year in operation. Then and now, the part-time SWAT team, whose members receive no additional compensation, continues to focus on the professionalism required in high-stress situations. In order to save the lives that are hanging in the balance, each member maintains top physical fitness and is well practiced in tactical training. That personal drive paid off in June when the team achieved first place overall, and six out of ten first place wins in the 9th annual SWAT Competition, against 16 other teams from the Mid-Atlantic states in Harrisonburg.

“Competition drives performance, which is an end goal,” said SWAT team member Lt. Chris Hensley.

Lt. Hensley, who has served 21 years with the police department, added that the competitive opportunity is one way for the team to train for any possible real-life scenario, such as a hostage crisis or an officer rescue.

During the competition, events were timed as well as scored on accuracy in weapon proficiency. One event included the team retrieving a wounded officer – a weighted mannequin – over a six-foot wall. SWAT members were required to shoot down metal targets without knowing which weapon would be available to fire at the staging box. “It’s whatever weapon is assigned,” said SWAT team member Sgt. Tim Spivey.

They would also overcome other obstacles to reach the mannequin and “to complete that event, we had to grab the dummy and get him over the wall,” explained the 18-year police veteran.

In order to succeed, the team has to move as one unit. The team trains together as a squad twice a month. “We create a scenario where we can practice together as a team,” Sgt. Spivey said. “A lot of the things we practice in training define what needs to be accomplished. SWAT competition simulates some of the real-life calls,” he said.

And during real-life calls, the team works as a lifesaver entity rather than the negative trigger-happy portrayal that has been sensationalized through television shows. “No weapon is ever used unless it is used to save a life – either our lives or the potential victim’s life,” Lt. Hensley said.

The SWAT team has been involved in two fatal engagements since its formation. And it is through changes in tactics, technology, as well as training that the team moves forward to focus on positive outcomes.

Professional training with the Los Angeles Police Department SWAT introduced new tactics and improvements in equipment that have been useful in less lethal confrontations, but the equipment is only as good as the person using it. “Our dynamics have changed. It has gotten better, safer for everyone involved,” Lt. Hensley said.

And that means each member continues their volunteer SWAT position dedicated to maintaining top physical condition. They invest personal time in running and weight lifting. SWAT team member Sgt. Gary McGregor, who has been with the police department for 11 years, is known for his competitive edge with multiple triathlons under his belt. He recently completed his first Ironman competition. He is currently training for the upcoming SunTrust Marathon in November. “I go anywhere from 20 to 25 miles,” Sgt. McGregor said.

Also, each member must have the ability to perform each position on the team equally well. When things change quickly, each member must be able to step right into the role, Lt. Hensley explained.

In being prepared, the team members continue individually with their firearms training in between the semi-monthly sessions as a unit. Some also invest their personal time and money into competing in different shooting competitions.

Lt. Hensley added that because there is a focused philosophy for the team, all of the SWAT members train on their own time. “Mental discipline is most important and it’s linked to physical fitness,” he said.

The mental poise is a vital component to maintaining calm in bad situations. “Unfortunately in our line of work, we don’t get called for the straight A students,” Sgt. Spivey said. He noted that police – patrol or SWAT – understand that it comes with the territory. “It’s a byproduct for law enforcement.”

For SWAT members, pride is one of the many reasons they excel in their chosen profession. “It’s a smaller family group that’s really close and takes a lot of pride in what we do,” Sgt. Spivey said. “The results in Harrisonburg bare that out.”