Shakopee Police Department 2022 Annual Report

SWAT

By Sgt. Derek Nordtvedt

Tri-City Tactical Team (TCTT) is a multi-jurisdictional special weapons and tactics (SWAT) unit that responds to critical incidents in Scott and Carver Counties The team is comprised of Scott and Carver Sheriff’s Offices, Prior Lake, Savage, Shakopee Police Department, and tactical paramedics from Mdewakanton Fire Department The team has three in command roles, 18 operators, four snipers, five tactical medics, six crisis negotiators and one crime analyst for a total of 37 members In 2022, Shakopee Police Department had six officers assigned as tactical operators and one officer on the Crisis Negotiations team: Sgt Nordtvedt, Sgt Penning, Officers Englin and Officer Kerr In September, Officers Filan and Officer Godfrey joined the team When serving on the Tactical Team, officers attend monthly trainings and specialized trainings for individual assignments Operators specialize in topics such as the ballistic bunker, gas munitions, less lethal munitions, precision long rifle, and more All the team operators receive training in many specialty areas including hostage rescue tactics, high-risk warrant service, slow and deliberate searching techniques, distraction device/chemical munitions deployment, firearms training

and qualifications, wooded area/open field search tactics, breaching/ballistic shield operations, VIP/dignitary protection tactics, tactical scouting, and reconnaissance Members of the Crisis Negotiation Team also train monthly to develop and practice their communication skills Officer Schmidt is one of six negotiators on the team The Crisis Negotiation Team is an integral part of the SWAT team for helping research needed information on the people involved in the call, but most importantly, talking with the subjects/ suspects to have them safely and calmly exit the building, with no one getting hurt The Tri-City Tactical Team also trains with South Metro Tactical Teams (Richfield, Bloomington, MSP Airport, Burnsville, and Eagan police departments) and attends an annual four day training conference at Camp Ripley Even with COVID ongoing, most departments were able to attend this training It was good to learn some new techniques and philosophies, along with being able to train in person again The Tri-City Tactical and CNT Team had nine team activations in 2022 The CNT team was also deployed an additional two times when the tactical team was not needed

The Tri-City Tactical Team (TCTT) is a multi-jurisdictional special weapons and tactics (SWAT) unit comprised of officers from several Scott County law enforcement agencies

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