Six law enforcement teams from across the state participated in the seventh annual Tactical Week exercise held at the State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany. The scenario-based training provided six, six-person law enforcement tactical teams with opportunities to respond to some of the most challenging and dangerous calls for service in New York State. These included active shooter incidents, barricaded subjects, and hostage situations.
“Tactical Week is an invaluable exercise that brings law enforcement agencies together to learn new methodologies from experts and each other,” Commissioner Bray said. “DHSES is proud to host this action-packed training. Thank you to the participants for their service to their communities and work in keeping New Yorkers safe.”
During the training, the tactical teams competed against each other as they responded to a series of complex and evolving incidents, modeled after real-world SWAT responses, to test their capabilities.
The following law enforcement teams participated in the training:
- Albany Police Department
- Colonie and Troy Police Departments
- Erie County Sheriff’s Office
- New Rochelle Police Department
- Utica METRO SWAT
- Syracuse Police Department
Each team consisted of six members plus a team leader, responding to different skill and situational scenarios throughout the week, including:
- High-Risk Warrant Service: The Albany Police Department’s Emergency Services Team developed a scenario involving a high-risk warrant service. This lane emphasized the importance of comprehensive operational planning in advance of a mission.
- Barricaded Subject: The New Rochelle Police Department’s Critical Incident Unit created a scenario featuring a barricaded subject who was threatening to harm himself and others. Teams had to successfully enter the subject’s residence, de-escalate the situation, and come to a peaceful solution.
- Active Shooter Response: The Utica METRO SWAT team created a highly-realistic active shooter scenario that involved a number of casualties. Teams had to respond, address the assailant, and provide immediate care to victim.
DHSES also included a competitive element to this training, where teams were judged on their time and performance throughout the event, with a winning team designated at the end of the week. DHSES selected the Syracuse Police Department as the winning team for their commitment to excellence and superior effort to enhance public safety in New York State.
Syracuse Police Department Deputy Chief Rich Shoff said, “The Syracuse Police Department is continuously striving to adapt and train in an effort to continue to provide the best standard of public safety and preparedness for the community that we serve. We are very thankful to the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for hosting this training, and also to all of the other departments who participated. These trainings make law enforcement agencies stronger as a whole.”
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