TGSO AND SAPD CONDUCT JOINT SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP TRAINING

Last week, the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office and the San Angelo Police Department co-hosted a 60-hour Basic SWAT Course. Both agencies sent a total of eight personnel who had recently been accepted on probationary status with their respective Special Operations Group teams. Instructors from both agencies led training throughout the week on a variety of topics, including medical integration, legal and liability considerations, ballistic shield movement, and specialized building entry tactics.
The course consisted of five 12-hour training days, where participants worked through intensive instruction designed to prepare them for responding to the most critical and dangerous situations faced by law enforcement. The training emphasized teamwork while strengthening tactical, firearms, less-lethal, movement, and legal knowledge skills.
The San Angelo Fire Department also contributed to the training by sending three members of its Tactical Medicine (TacMed) program. TacMed members work alongside law enforcement during SWAT operations and provide immediate emergency medical care for civilians, suspects, and team members when needed.
This marks the first time TGSO and SAPD Special Operations teams have jointly hosted a Basic SWAT Course. Law enforcement agencies often must send personnel to other cities or even other states to complete this level of training. Hosting the course locally helped save significant travel, lodging, and meal expenses, allowing both agencies to maximize their training budgets.
The creation and successful completion of this program highlights the continued growth, trust, and cooperation among local public safety agencies. The combined knowledge, skills, and experience of both Special Operations teams-along with the support of Tom Green County Sheriff Nick Hanna and San Angelo Police Chief Travis Griffith-ensure that the Concho Valley has a highly trained team of professionals ready to respond when the community needs them most.
"When agencies train together, they respond better together," said Tom Green County Sheriff Nick Hanna.   "This course strengthens the partnership between our departments and ensures the Concho Valley has highly trained professionals ready for the critical incidents that we must be prepared for."