From our SWAT officers who participated in the 2007 Round-Up comes word of the final standings from last week's competition. Lakeland PD's Blue team took third place in the final competitive event on the Friday - the Obstacle Course - and finished 14th overall. The LPD Red team finished 31st overall, out of a total of 67 teams. Final results have not yet been posed on the SRI web site as of this morning.
Congratulations to the Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office "Stripes" team that won the overall top team title.
Whether we win, lose, or draw, the competitive spirit and dogged determination of our SWAT officers to succeed is worth special recognition. These officers train hard throughout the year to remain in top physical condition and are constantly prepared to respond to the most dangerous of tactical situations. Their ability to bring overwhelming force to a situation and then peacefully resolve the confrontation, to include our Hostage Negotiation Team, is something in which all of Lakeland should take pride.
Our thanks to the SWAT officers for representing Lakeland again this year.
- Asst Chief Bill LePere
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