On Dec. 6 my wife and I went to Orlando to watch the competition between 52 teams of law enforcement agencies, known as SWAT units, from around the world. Out son is an officer in the Orlando Police Department and this was his first year in competition. Also, our own Highlands County Sheriff's Office participated; this being their second year. I spoke to Lt. Jack Bailey after the competition was over; he was very open and generous with his information.
SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) is a unit that specializes in high risk and highly tactical situations. Their mission is to protect and serve our community in areas not covered by standard divisions in law enforcement. In most areas, as in Highlands County, the deputies that serve on SWAT have a primary duty in addition to their work on the tactical team. Training and study in this specialty is subject to time and financial constraints, this requires additional sacrifice from the officers and their families.
Lt. Bailey informed me that this was their second year in the competition, and they finished 25th out of 52 teams from around the world. Their goal was to finish 26th, a goal they surpassed.
In response to the questions I had for Lt. Bailey he informed me that this competition allows the deputies to interact with each other and to share tactics and methods used in the field. This helps to set a standard for all units in terminology and procedures, which allows them to work together if it becomes necessary. Lt. Bailey had high praise for Orange County Sheriff's Office and the Orlando Police Department; both agencies have been very helpful to our own HCSO in the two years they have competed.
I was informed that since 911, law enforcement agencies around the nation have become aware of the need to work together more openly; this type of competition opens new branches of communication. The smaller agencies like Highlands County Sheriff's Office and others have the benefit of sharing in the experiences of the larger agencies. The larger agencies also have learned from the smaller units. Each team has come upon unique situations that all can learn from.
Lt. Bailey praised our own Sheriff Susan Benton for her support of the tactical unit. But just like every other executive leader of law enforcement she is subject to the financial situation of the time. It seems that those who sacrifice the most for our society are hit the hardest in times of financial stress; those who put the most stress on our society seem to be rewarded.
This event is also supported by many vendors who pay to set up displays that cater to law enforcement in areas of ballistics and equipment. The new equipment that has been developed has helped the evolution of tactics that are utilized, providing more safety to our officers. Our own team was the winner of a drawing that paid off in breaching equipment to gain entry into locked and secured areas. This equipment will help to save lives.
The last question I asked Lt. Bailey was, "What can the community do to help our own SWAT unit, and our law enforcement agencies?" His answer really surprised me; I guess I was looking at it from a financial point. The lieutenant asked that the community be supportive to the deputies that they know, the families of each officer, whether they are relatives or friends. Or if you just know someone who has a friend or relative in law enforcement, give praise and support where you can.
In summary I would just like to add we can be supportive in our relations with these officers out in the community. Like it or not we all will probably be stopped at a check point, or pulled over for some infraction on the highways and byways. Remember these are men and women who face uncertainty every day in the performance of their job serving us. Be polite, thank them for doing their job, even if it results in a ticket for you, chances are we did something wrong. They are doing the job we pay them to do. God bless them all.
Larry Overfield is retired from Progress Energy and lives in Sebring. He has led a ministry at the Highlands County Jail and with area motorcyclists.
Friday, December 14, 2012 - www.newssun.com/col-121412-overfield