LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER
PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID EDDM-RETAIL
Edition 85 l DECEMBER 2021
CAUGHT IN THE ACT! Pg. 3 CALDWELL Y WEATHERING THE STORM! Pg. 6 MEALS FOR MADAGASCAR! Pg. 7 submitted photos
LITTLE VOICES AND BROKEN GUITARS! Pg. 12 Kristina Pollard at the Police Shooting Range and Training Grounds
MY TRAINING DAY WITH THE CALDWELL SWAT TEAM
When I was young, my father was a deputy sheriff in So. California. The smell of gun oil and the sound of his leather utility belt in the morning after a night shift reassured me that my father had come home to us safely. I have always been drawn to T.V. shows, books and movies dealing with law enforcement agencies of all types and briefly considered a possible career in this direction (But I never did enjoy running as exercise). This brings me to a fund raiser for Special Olympics, a live auction and my husband, Mike, who was determined to win “A Day with the Swat Team” for me. Mike had won this training day at a previous fund raiser and was determined that I get my chance at this experience. Spirited bidding ensued but Mike prevailed before I broke any of his ribs with my elbow. Ladies, you know what I mean. So, on Monday I told my boss that he would have to give me the scheduled day off or I would have the Swat team use our company for Hostage Rescue training. Rob quickly granted my request. In a week that had been blustery, Wed. Nov. 17th brought a very cool temper-
ature but with blue sky and no wind or rain. Perfect. I reported to the Caldwell Police Department was promptly greeted by Sgt. Crupper and escorted to the Training Room. Here I also met Officer Streibel who would be conducting today’s training/review. When he pulled up the first Powerpoint presentation for the day I laughed out loud. We were training on “Hostage Rescue Tactic” today. What were the odds? I should have had the team pick me up at work after all. There are 14 positions on the Swat team and we started with introductions by each member present; their name, length of time with the police force, time on Swat and any Swat specialty held. This is an impressive group comprised of male and female members of various ages and a total of many, many years in law enforcement. Two of the young men are still in their first months of training and I loved the way Officer Tapia and Corporal Rohrback included me as a trainee, asking me some questions about my knowledge of terms being used and tactics being discussed. I was extremely pleased to be able to answer all questions correctly. I haven’t
spent years immersed in crime media for nothing. The day’s training included Hostage Rescue and Rescue of a downed Officer or Civilian during an active shooter scenario. More experienced officers were selected to demonstrate moves to be made in the Hostage Rescue scenario. These techniques were practiced by all (including myself) later on the training grounds. Soon we were on our way to the Police Shooting Range and training grounds and I rode in style in the MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) troop carrier with Corporal Cooper, the team’s specialist in Non-Lethal Weaponry. I was then led through a detailed “Show & Tell”: • the various tools used to force access into a building • many types of gas/pepper canisters and their assorted uses • flash-bang technology guaranteed to confuse/distract long enough to gain an advantage. • hard rubber projectiles fired into muscle mass to stop a criminal (I was allowed to fire this weapon and hit the target barrel on the first try.) Next, I was then turned over to the Lethal Weapon Specialist Officer Heaton.
I was given detailed safety training before being allowed to handle the weapons. Now, I have to tell you that I have had very, very little experience with firearms in my life. But as I learned to fire an A-15 rifle, a Glock 45 handgun and then a sniper rifle, I found that I could hit the targets in critical mass or kill areas with each shot. Who knew I could have had a career in weaponry? I was active in Girl Scouting for 30 years and we didn’t have a Sharpshooter badge. After I bundled the targets to take back with me for bragging rights, it was time to practice rescue of a downed officer or civilian during an active shooting with the police car and 3, 4 or 5 rescuers. It was fun to watch and I was glad not to be the poor officer who volunteered to be “rescued” over and over again. I did volunteer to be rescued once and I must admit that I hammed it up with moaning, groaning and calls for help. Of course, if I was ever really in that position, I would be playing dead, not drawing attention to myself. We finished up with me being the “active shooter”. I had a practice rifle, was yelling “Bam, bam bam” and ducking in and out of
by Kristina Pollard cover. The instructors were watching the positions of the rescuers and reminding them to stay out of the way of the “Cover” officers (with the guns) who were shooting at me. I had a lot of fun, but was constantly reminded that this is a very dangerous profession. Constant training reinforces the “muscle memory” that allows these men and women to instinctively act without having to think each action through step by step. Each time they step out of the MRAP at a crime scene, they are risking their lives for you and me. SO please, when you see a police officer of any sort, thank them for their service. It will bring a smile to their face and a spring to their step It will brighten not only their day, but yours as well.
Kristina being rescued