Fort Thomas Police Participate in SWAT Training

By Mary Casey-Sturk

In August, the NKY SWAT Team held training at 84 S. Shaw Lane. The house was scheduled to be demolished in the coming weeks, and this provided an opportunity for important training to keep the community safe. Additionally, a national accreditation team observed the exercises which could result in this team being the first in the state to receive national accreditation. 

Greg Grimme of Fort Thomas, who lives nearby, shared, “Watching the training was an awesome experience. Their professionalism and attention to every minute detail was outstanding”. Grimme noted a personal connection to the house, “The house is owned by my daughter Maggie Grimme, her grandfather (Fred “Fritz” Erschell) was past mayor of Fort Thomas and a huge supporter of the police and fire first responders. Fritz passed away a few years ago and lived in that same house up until his death. When Maggie was approached by the SWAT team for the training exercise at first, she hesitated giving permission because she thought it would be disrespectful to her “pop pop”, but then quickly realized that Fritz would have been honored to allow these first responders this opportunity to make Northern Kentucky and Fort Thomas safer.”

Fort Thomas Living Magazine spoke with Sgt. Michael Dietz, of the Fort Thomas Police Department about the importance of training exercises like this.

“Our training on August 6^th in Fort Thomas was part of our overall Full Team Review through the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA).  This portion of the training was real-world scenario training that mimics and represents true, realistic situations that a SWAT team may encounter.” Sgt. Dietz continued, “The National Tactical Officers Association provides a credible and proven training resource as well as a forum for the development of tactics and information exchange.  The Full Team Review involves an in-depth review of documentation followed by an on-site visit. During the on-site visit, interviews are conducted with various members of the organization, and the evaluator(s) attend a team training session. In some instances, the tactical team will take part in scenarios provided by the evaluator(s). The NTOA Tactical Response and Operation Standards will be utilized as a benchmark in the evaluation of the team and preparation of the final report.  The review and assessment are intended to provide our team with an objective, third-party evaluation.   Objectivity is critical to the credibility of the process. The completed report will identify strengths in performance, as well as areas of concern or in need of improvement. The ultimate goal of all such reviews and assessments is to enhance the tactical capability and professional standing of the subject agency.  The final report should be completed between 60 and 90 days.”

On the Importance of a SWAT Team

“The Northern Kentucky SWAT Team is a highly effective multi-regional unit, consisting of twenty-nine (29) agencies from Campbell and Kenton Counties.  The team responds to a wide array of critical incidents that include high-risk warrant service, criminal barricades, active assailant events, and hostage rescue situations.  The team also attends various community events such as touch-a-trucks, school outings, and National Nights Out.  This helps foster positive community interaction and relationship building with the citizens of Campbell and Kenton Counties.”

Sgt. Dietz adds, “It is very rare that the SWAT Team has an opportunity to utilize a real house for training.  Typically, we use a simulation house (or shoot house) that is housed inside a large barn area.  With the training on August 6th, we were able to deal with the objects and limitations of the real world.  This includes a driveway, foliage/trees, and neighboring houses.  All of these things are limitations and/or advantages that would be present on a real mission.  This prepares SWAT Operators to see these things in training before seeing them for the first time in a possible life-or-death environment.”

Photos credit: Greg Grimme