For the first time ever, SWAT teams from different agencies are training together.The goal is to learn from each other and be ready should the day come when they have to meet in a dangerous situation.
"It's exhausting this is our third day, especially with all the gear," said Martin Perez of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office SWAT team.
These SWAT teams members are training the way they will fight: in full gear and carrying 65 pounds of equipment.
Perez is one of the newest members on the SWAT team. In 15 months he has already been on 20 missions.
Now he is training with officers from Kerrville, San Marcos and Live Oak. They have been thrown together into a high-stress scenario:, a sniper on the building with officers and civilians down. They have little time to think and react, so they rely on their training.
"Everything we did out here is something we're going to utilize potentially on a mission," said Martin.
The entire drill is recorded, and once they are back in the classroom, they realize there is room for improvement.
Instructor Sandy Wall served the Houston Police Department for 28 years. He says in today's world, cross training SWAT teams is crucial.
"Another 9-11 that won't necessarily be airplanes flying into buildings, it may be active shooters, running into major events like theaters malls whatever and if they've planned it well and executed well it's gonna take these guys with this kind of training and this kind of equipment to be able to stop it," said Wall.
The SWAT team practices with a new and different way to handle a barricaded suspect. The 'Wallbanger' is a flash-bang device on a pole. Criminals sometimes have the advantage when they know officers are coming through a door, The Wallbanger gives authorities the upper hand.
After a full day of practice, the officers remember this was just one way, not necessarily the only way. When it is the real-deal, they will be able to move into harms way without fear.
Martin adds, "We're public servants. We're out there to protect and serve the public, and we do what we do, and we think about the fear later when it's all over."
After all, these elite tactical officers took an oath to serve and protect. It's what they are equipped to do. But it takes training, and because no one agency has all the tools and all the toys, they have to be ready to work together.
