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SWAT tryouts draw dozens

• SWAT candidates will now face psychological and background checks before being allowed onto the team.

J.D. Sumner

ALBANY — Police officials say that a total of 30 officers from the Albany Police Department, the Dougherty County School Police and the Dougherty County EMS showed up for SWAT team tryouts Wednesday.

It was an early day for the participants, starting promptly at 7 a.m. at the APD’s firing range on McAdams Road.

APD officials say that throughout the day, participants had to overcome a daunting obstacle course, prove their physical abilities by wrangling with a climbing rope and then testing their aim on the department’s shooting range.

“It was a full day,” Police Lt. Kenn Singleton said.

The participants are vying for positions on a SWAT force that has witnessed the resignation of at least four members over the past two weeks.

After coping with the physical demands thrust upon them Wednesday, the participants will now be subjected to rigorous mental evaluations including a full psychological exam and a review of their personnel files to check for violent past behaviors.

“Over the next couple of days they’ll (participants) undergo a series of other tests in addition to what they did here,” Singleton said.

At a July 13 press briefing, APD Chief James Younger said that the department had, “as a courtesy,” notified all of the law enforcement heads in the city and county of the tryouts and had extended an invitation for them to come.

“Three weeks ago, as a courtesy and in the spirit of professionalism and partnership, several agencies were invited to send officers to our SWAT trials,” Younger said. “At this point, the ASU Police and the DCSS Police have responded and intend to participate in those trials. The other agencies are welcome.”

Younger also said he added the shooting course, the psychological evaluation and the personnel file review to the SWAT standards membership.

“Standards for SWAT membership have been raised, however, striving for excellence is the direction the entire department is moving in,” Younger said.

Singleton said that he wasn’t sure how many of the 30 candidates would be allowed to join the team if they passed the qualifications.

Sunday, the remaining members of the team, plus APD officer Duane Higgenbothem, arrested Carl Smith, who had barricaded himself in his 5th Avenue home and taken his three-year-old daughter hostage.

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