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Lincoln County SWAT team joins other departments for hostage training


SWAT team members faced scenarios involving hostage-taking incidents on buses. Courtesy of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team joined officers from the Hickory Police Department, York County, S.C., and inspectors from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration in training exercises Wednesday at Christian Tours in Newton.

TSA and Christian Tours organized the training so that local units could be prepared for “incidents such as hostage takeover on all types of public and private transportation,” the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.

Scenarios ranged from incidents on a 12-person van to a bus carrying 52 passengers.

“Team members say Christian Tours provided a great training environment for them,” the sheriff’s office said. “They allowed all the teams attending the training to use three separate charter buses along with shuttle buses and vans. SWAT team members were given access to mechanics and bus drivers who provided priceless knowledge about the workings of buses.”

Officers used “dummy” ammunition while on the buses to shoot at paper targets and role players.

“Participants were provided food by Christian Tours and said the training was invaluable and gave the members a great networking opportunity,” the sheriff’s office said.

 

 

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