Earlier this year, The Anniston Police Department received a Bearcat tactical vehicle for their Special Response Team (SRT). The Standard Bearcat weighs over 8.5 tons without equipment. The outer body has a ½ inch hardened steel to protect the team when approaching a situation and enables them to come closer to the danger without exposing them to harm. The vehicle can also be used to rescue victims that may be unable to get out of a dangerous area such as an active shooter or barricaded subject. The interior of the vehicle is fully air-conditioned and can transport up to 14, fully geared, team members at a time. This is an extreme upgrade from their last tactical vehicle which was a box truck that is usually utilized for local deliveries by small businesses.
The current SRT consists of sixteen operators, five negotiators, and five medics. Corporal Trammell, the team leader, and Corporal Sorrell, the assistant team leader, spoke with the Calhoun Journal about the new equipment and how it will benefit the team and the community.
Cpl. Trammell advised, “The tryouts for the team are really tough but we want the best of the best”. To become one of the SRT members an officer must have been on the job for a minimum of one year with the City of Anniston. The tryouts are for one day and last approximately 12 hours. The day consists of physical agility and ability, firearms and special weapons handling, mental evaluations, and oral interviews. Some of the other team members were present during the interview and one stated, “I thought I was going to die that day. Its rough!” Cpl. Sorrell went on to explain, “After the tryouts when someone is selected, they will be scheduled to attend SWAT school. Even though people may be on the SRT they are still required to requalify each year to show tactical proficiency”.
The Anniston Police SRT spends many hours training as a unit to ensure they are prepared for any emergency that may arise. During training they utilize all the same tools, weapons, and the Bearcat as if they were working on an actual response to a tactical event. Cpl. Sorrell also said, “We have now have the capability of assisting any agency that requests us. There are times when multiple tactical teams are needed; a recent occasion was in the city of Weaver when a resident opened fire on the police”.
Police Chief Nick Bowles is very happy to have received this new tool for their department. He said, “This could have ended previous conflicts much faster and will further help us to protect the community. We can now respond to any situation and keep our officers safer while working to de-escalate the problem they are facing”.
