SWAT Team
SWAT Team Leader |
Lt. Gary Moody
812-376-2607
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 History
SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) teams were formed in the mid-sixties after incidents such as the Watts Riots in Los Angeles and the Texas Tower Incident where a sniper shot people from the clock tower at University of Texas in Austin. Law Enforcement was not prepared to handle these types of incidents with the equipment and training available.
Columbus Police SWAT was reformed in 1987 after not having a team for a number of years. The team was then known as ERT (Emergency Response Team) and consisted of 5 team members. In 2002 the name was changed primarily due to questions such as; what is ERT? The answer was, it’s a SWAT Team.
Current Day
Today Columbus SWAT has 12 members. It is a volunteer assignment with no extra pay. To achieve a position on the team, applicants go through a physical fitness test, (Timed 1 ½ mile run, Bench Press, Pull-Ups, Sit-Ups, Push-Ups and Flexibility measurement) and an interview process (To determine motivation and mental mindset) with current team members. SWAT serves Columbus, as well as assisting Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department. Columbus SWAT has also traveled to surrounding counties to assist other agencies.
Columbus SWAT team members are on call 24/7, and are expected to respond at a moment’s notice.
Training
 Once new members are accepted, they go through a 30-40 hour training course, are issued personal equipment and a weapon, to have them ready to work with the team on an operation.
The SWAT team trains a minimum of 16 hours each month, working on tactics and firearm skills. Tactics include High-Risk Warrant Service, Barricaded Suspects, Crowd Control and Hostage Rescue. Weapons assigned to the team include light mounted pistols, AR 15 rifles, MP 5 Submachine Guns, Semi-auto Shotguns, 37 projectile launcher, 12 Gauge Less Lethal Weapon System, Chemical Agents (Tear Gas), and High Powered Rifles.
In addition to equipment carried by team members, the team has a large van with larger pieces of equipment such as ballistic shields, breaching tools, and generator.
Incidents
Columbus SWAT is called upon an average of 8 times per year. SWAT has handled such incidents as;
- High Risk Search Warrants for Drugs;
- Meth Labs;
- High Risk Arrest Warrants for Drug Dealers
- Meth Manufacturers
- Murderers;
- Suicidal Persons;
- Barricaded Subjects;
- Armed Robbery;
- Persons being held Hostage
Columbus SWAT continues to prepare for the worse case scenario to be ready to react and protect and serve the citizens of our community.
If you have any questions about SWAT, contact the SWAT commander above. |
