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More than 20 officers from 12 regional law enforcement agencies, including the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office and Durango Police Department, are taking part in a weeklong Introduction to Basic SWAT Concepts class in Durango.
The course covers crisis negotiations, proper weapon handling under high-stress situations, tactical first aid, how to rescue a trapped person and more. Most of the course is practical hands-on training. About 15 percent of the officers’ time is spent in the classroom.
Fewer than half the people who take the course become a SWAT team member. However, the skills covered improve officer safety as well as safety for victims, suspects and innocent bystanders during a variety of routine and emergency incidents. The course, in its 18th year, is supported by and funded by Colorado POST and Southwest Colorado Law Enforcement Alliance.
