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Officer Tim Haley's SWAT Challenge
(by Sean Lehosit, Westside Editor - July 26, 2011)
It is hard to predict how a person might react in a real life hostage situation - unless of course, they are trained as a SWAT officer.
That is the exact opportunity coming to the Westside Aug. 20-21 at the SWAT training facility, 2609 McKinley Ave.
“This will be a day to learn about SWAT and also experience their course and hostage shooting scenarios, where participants will actually be put in hostage situations with a simuntion gun,” said Stephanie Peddicord, development director for the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
The “Tim Haley’s SWAT Challenge” honors the name of Officer Tim Haley, who in 2008, died after suffering a brain hemorrhage during an excursion training exercise. Haley had served his community as a police officer for 21 years.
Peddicord said the event is the first of its kind and hopes to educate the community about the FOP and allow them to understand the training and mindset of the men and women who serve the community.
According to a statement by FOP President Jim Gilbert, proceeds from the event will benefit the FOP Foundation, and the Tim Haley Scholarship, which will be awarded to an academic athlete from Walnut Ridge High School – where Haley and his wife attended and were active in the athletics department.
Participants will begin either day at 9 a.m. for an introduction to Gilbert and SWAT officers. For a little under two hours they will have classroom time, where officers will show educational videos and speak with them about what the responsibilities of SWAT are, and what goes through their minds in various situations.
After lunch trainees will go through the SWAT obstacle course, also learning the skills behind shooting targets and force tactics. Peddicord said the instructors will train the individuals toward their own athletic ability and that the event is aimed at being fun and educational.
To reserve a ticket or for more information contact Peddicord at speddicord@fop9.org or 882-4683
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