|
SWAT
Team |
|
Chief Doug Snider
SWAT Team Commander
Sheriff David M. Reynolds formed this elite team in January
of 1999. Due to the county’s rapid
growth, the Sheriff felt it necessary to form a specialized unit to resolve
high-risk situations. As the commander
of this team, I believe that a well- trained team's response to a
critical incident results in a successful resolution. The main objective of the team is to respond
to hostage or barricade situations and resolve the incident without
injures to officers, victims or the suspect. This team is made up of highly dedicated patrolmen,
detectives, conservation officers and administrators. We also have a doctor, and nurses, on the
team all of whom volunteer their time and train with us each
month. The team currently has three hostage negotiators that also respond
to assist in resolving high-risk situations.
“There are no poor units, only
poor commanders” and “A leader can delegate his authority, but he can never
delegate his responsibility” are two of my favorite quotes by the great
leader Napoleon. With that being
said, I give my solemn oath to the citizens of Porter County that each time
this team embarks on a mission it will be due to necessity and will be well
planned to preserve life and property.
Each
team member has volunteered for the position and was required to pass an oral
interview and physical fitness evaluation. These men are highly trained and must
maintain a high degree of physical fitness. Two days of training each month have been instituted to insure the
highest performance. Our training
consists of physical conditioning, firearms and mock scenarios. The training becomes very intense during
the scenarios. We know that during real situations there are no second
chances or time outs. The ERT
weapons of choice are the Heckler & Koch MP5 - 40 caliber sub machine
gun, the Heckler & Koch G-36 - 223 caliber machine gun, the 12-gauge shotgun and
the Glock 31 handgun. All team members are required to maintain the highest level of proficiency with each
weapon. Our sniper team has two members.
They carry Robar SR-60 sniper rifles and
Leupold Mark IV scopes. It is the commitment of the Porter County
Sheriff's Department ERT to provide the highest level of protection to
all citizens who live and work in Porter County. All members are dedicated
professionals willing to take their obligation to this community to a
much higher level. It is our desire to serve Porter County for years to
come. |
|
The Team |
|
Major Doug Snider
Team Commander
|
DNR Officer Bob Cauffman
Team Leader
|
Lieutenant Steve Ford
Assistant Team Leader
|
|
Corporal Phil Miller
Assistant
Team Leader
|
Corporal Scott Hartz |
Corporal Jeff Biggs |
|
Officer Mike Cundiff |
Officer Ryan Fenters |
Officer Eric Jones |
|
Officer Jesse Klemz |
Officer Bill Knapp |
Officer Tim Manteuffel |
|
Officer Steve Rose |
Officer Erik Wiseman
|
VPD Officer Sean Kostelnik |
|
VPD Officer Dave Richardson |
"Signal 47" is called when the team
is
dispatched on a mission, in memory of
Officer
Timothy L. Hecht, unit
# "47"
who died in the line of duty on February 11, 1999
while training
for the SWAT Team.
Tim enjoying some off duty
time
The team's patch also carries a "47"
in
memory of Officer Hecht.
|
SWAT Medical
Team |
|
Dr. John Agee
|
RN LuAnn Hoyt
|
|
RN Mike Krupa |
RN Sandra Hampton |
|
RN Melissa Parker |
RN Mike
Crowley |
|
SWAT
Chaplain |
|
Jay Birky "G1" |
|
