Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T. team continues to train in public buildings to react to possible armed intruders

Sheriff James Pohlmann said his department continues training for possibilities that everyone involved hopes will never have to be dealt with – an armed intruder in a public area, a business, school or government building.

“It’s a question of being prepared in advance for what could happen, while hoping it doesn’t happen,’’ the sheriff said. “In today’s environment, it’s the preparation that’s crucial.’’

Recently, the Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics team, or S.W.A T. team, has been undergoing response training to armed intruder situations

Most recently they trained in buildings at Nunez College in Chalmette.

Since the start of the year they have also trained in the Parish Courthouse, in the Parish government building, in the Sigur Civic Center, in schools and at an abandoned school site.

“I am pleased with what is being accomplished,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “I am confident S.W.A.T. team members would work well together if there was an intruder situation.”

Under the supervision of S.W.A.T. Commander Capt. Robert Norton, they have worked on tactics for clearing buildings by room searches. Capt. Ronnie Martin is Assistant Commander.

“It’s good to look at floor plans of buildings,’’ Norton said recently “but you have to physically go through a building and do it with repetition to build muscle memory’’ so officers are sure in their reactions. “Then they can work as a group.’’