Week 4: The Tampa Citizen Police Academy
The Mark & Carrie Experience
SWAT Team, Bomb Squad, Marine Unit
It was another interesting and exciting week at the academy. Mr Vegas law class also joined us. Major Keith O’Conner started of this weeks class. He is in charge of the special ops. This includes 12 + special units, squads & teams. The 4 main ones are SWAT, Hostage, Bomb & Marine Divers.
Sergeant Richard Mills is in charge of the SWAT Team. This is the very top 2% of the police force and is very hard to get into. All the members are volunteers who also work full time positions with the police. These volunteers are on call an impressive 24/7. The best discriptions is “They are the Cop, that Cops call when then need Help!!” The SWAT team did demonstration for us. A police chase cars with a hostatage take over. It all ended up with officers jumping of the top of building and rescuting the hostage. WOW
The Tampa Bomb Squad is one of the very best in the country. They train with the FBI and Army. Each officer goes thru a 6 week class costing $120,000 each. The squad cover 6 counties and has 250-270 calls per year. The bomb suits cost $19,500 and can only be worn for 30 minutes due to the heat. The Robotscost an average of $160,000 each. We then watched a video rates “FOUO” For Official Use only. WOW did we feel special. After the film it was out side to see 4 bomb explosions!!! The truck was way cool too. Tampa is one of only 4 in the USA to have a bomb container.
The rain started as the Marine Unit pulled up with one of their boast. There are 6 full time officers who maintain & operate the Tampa fleat of 6 boast. These boats are left in position thrupught Tampa Bay. they work together with the US Coast Guard, Tampa Fire and Stets of FL. beside regular operations they also escote cruise ships and chemmical ships in the harbor.
Next week is “Use of Force” Street Tactics, Simulations, Shoot don’t Shoot & traffic Stops. Until then signing off… Mark & Carrie
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