Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Swat Team Among Top 10 In the World
By Wayne Ivey, Brevard Sheriff // November 21, 2016
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Throughout this past week, members of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team have been competing in the Florida SWAT Association’s 34th annual SWAT Roundup Competition in Orlando.
I am extremely proud to announce, that our team finished the grueling competition in 10th place out of 60 teams.
This is a remarkable accomplishment for our team and agency as the SWAT Roundup Competition is considered to be the most challenging competition of it’s kind, drawing competitors from all over the world.
The SWAT Roundup is far more than just a training event and pulse-pounding competition.
Ultimately, it is an opportunity for SWAT operators across the globe to come together as one to learn from each other while enjoying a friendly but fierce competition.
Teams traveled this year to Central Florida to compete from as far away as Jamaica, Hungary, St. Maarten, and Brazil, just to see who is among the top SWAT teams in the world. While a close knit brotherhood is shared among teammates and fellow operators from all over, let there be no doubt that everyone of the teams came there to win the coveted title of “Best SWAT Team in the World.”
The annual competition consists of five specialized events which are a large scale training opportunity. These events are geared for simulation of real life scenarios and are intended to challenge the team both mentally and physically as a unit.
The structure emphasizes weapon expertise and physical fitness and is truly a one-of-a-kind competition.
Our Brevard County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Operators that competed in the competition were selected from our SWAT team of already highly trained and specialized Deputy Sheriffs who choose to engage in a highly competitive tryout for the distinction of being a SWAT Team member.
Dedication, courage and commitment are often words that come to mind when I describe the proud men and women who make up the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) is certainly a shining example of those characteristics.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team has been in operation since 1977 and is primarily utilized to prevent situations from escalating so that issues and incidents can be resolved as quickly and safely as possible.
The team remains on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is ready to respond countywide to critical incidents and events as they may occur.
The team is a member of the Statewide Region 5 Regional Anti-Terrorism Task Force (RATTF) and stands ready with other law enforcement teams to respond to critical incidents and acts of terrorism throughout the State of Florida.
I could not be more proud of our team members for this incredible accomplishment and placement in this worldwide competition. Please join me in congratulating our SWAT Team members and all of the 2016 SWAT Roundup competitors!
