“Night to Unite,” a nationwide event that promotes camaraderie between law enforcement and community members, was held Tuesday, Aug. 2 in Heartland Park.
The Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office and Park Rapids Police Department were joined by local first responders, the fire department, emergency medical services personnel and more.
Shannon Geisen / Park Rapids Enterprise
Local members of the Wadena-Hubbard County Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team demonstrated its ability to respond to critical incidents.
The Wadena County SWAT team formed in 1990, with Hubbard County joining in 2002.
The joint SWAT team comprises deputies from both sheriff’s offices, along with police officers from Menahga, Sebeka, Wadena, Staples and Park Rapids.
Since the two counties merged, the SWAT team has been used to execute high-risk, narcotic-related search warrants, such as methamphetamine labs and marijuana growers, arrest warrants, hostage rescues and barricaded, armed subjects.
The team is equipped with two armored vehicles and two vans that are used to transport equipment and team operators. The vans can also be used as a command center, in case of a lengthy operation or for other emergencies.
Shannon Geisen / Park Rapids Enterprise
Sgt. Tony Petrie also took time to describe the features of his olive-drab green SWAT uniform.
“Starting at the top, we have a bullet-proof vest. It has hard plates in the front and back. I’m carrying a rifle across the front of me. These are different holsters for magazines, handcuffs, my firearm. I have a pistol,” he said.
Shannon Geisen / Park Rapids Enterprise
Petrie said SWAT trains every two weeks for five hours.
“Typically, our SWAT team is called out when our patrol officer shows up to a scene of a violent offender or something that needs special weapons or tactics, then we call our SWAT team with extra ballistic gear, gas deployment, shields, K-9s and additional tools to keep everybody safe,” he said.
Shannon Geisen / Park Rapids Enterprise
K-9s Jet and Ace eagerly strutted their stuff on Tuesday.
Sgt. Troy Christenson, who emceed the demos, said, “These dogs are amazing, and to be honest, these officers are amazing.”
Jet, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois, participated in the SWAT action with handler Sgt. Rob Gilmore of the Park Rapids Police Department.
Ace demonstrated an article search, among other talents. He is a four-year-old cross between a German shepherd and Belgian Malinois. His handler is sheriff’s deputy Craig Kritzeck.
Petrie described the bite suit used for K-9 training. The coverall and jacket are “really, really thick and padded.”
“These are designed so if the dog comes up and bites, they can grab a chunk of this out, hold onto this and shake it, like you saw him do here,” he explained.
K-9s are trained for “target acquisition” or “target lock.” When they see someone fleeing, the dog apprehends, bites and holds until the handler calls them off.
Shannon Geisen/Park Rapids Enterprise
