New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) Commissioner Jackie Bray today announced that six law enforcement teams from across the state participated in the sixth annual ‘Tactical Week’ exercise held at the State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany from June 3 - 6. The scenario-based training provided six, six-person law enforcement tactical teams with opportunities to respond to some of the most challenging and dangerous calls for service in New York State. These included active shooter incidents, barricaded subjects, and hostage situations.
During the training, the tactical teams competed against each other as they responded to a series of complex and evolving incidents, modeled after real-world SWAT responses, to test their capabilities. In addition to DHSES, the New York State Police’s Special Operations Response Team provided instructional support for this event to enhance intrastate coordination and collaboration.
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Supporting our law enforcement partners including New York State’s tactical teams through grant funding and high-end training opportunities, improves the skills of those responsible for protecting our communities. These teams respond to dangerous situations, and we are committed to helping provide them with the resources they need to resolve critical incidents safely and effectively.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Planning, coordination and training are crucial to ensure law enforcement agencies are prepared to mitigate any critical incident that may arise. We are proud to train simultaneously with our partner agencies, working toward the same goal of providing the best protection and service for all New Yorkers. I thank the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for availing this vital training for our State Police members and law enforcement partners.”
DHSES has a long history of supporting New York’s law enforcement specialty teams through various grant programs. In addition to providing support to the state’s FBI-certified bomb squads and explosive detection canine teams, DHSES has allocated $16.6 million to support New York’s tactical teams since 2013. This program funding has contributed to 35 teams attaining New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services certification.
The following law enforcement teams participated in the training:
- Buffalo Police Department
- Colonie Police Department
- Erie County Task Force consisting of tactical team operators from the Amherst Police Department, Cheektowaga Police Department, Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, and Tonawanda Police Department
- Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office
- Rochester Police Department
- White Plains and Westchester Police Departments
Each team consisted of six members plus a team leader, responding to different skill and situational scenarios throughout the week, including:
- Barricaded Subject: Teams respond to a simulated event where a subject is barricaded in an apartment and is threatening harm to neighbors and themselves.The Colonie Police Department’s Special Services Team developed this training scenario.
- High-Risk Suspect Apprehension: Teams respond to a situation involving the apprehension of a murder suspect who fled the scene and is a threat to public safety. The Rochester Police SWAT team developed this scenario.
DHSES also included a competitive element to this training where teams were judged on their time and performance throughout the event, with a winning team designated at the end of the week. DHSES selected Colonie Police Department as the winning team for their commitment to excellence and superior effort to enhance public safety in New York State.
Buffalo Police Department Police Commissioner Joseph A. Gramaglia said, "Having the ability to participate in the annual Tactical Week is a great opportunity to showcase the skills of our dedicated SWAT members both with and against our fellow SWAT members across the state. Scenario based training allows our SWAT teams to be tested in the types of situations and environments where they can and will be called on in an emergency back home. This challenge makes all our teams better which ultimately benefits all our respective communities. I want to thank the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and all of those that make this week possible for their continued support of our police agencies. "
Rochester Police Department Chief David M. Smith said, “I’d like to thank the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for hosting the Rochester Police Department’s SWAT Team for this incredible training opportunity. Events like this bring together the elite units from across New York State to increase interoperability and prepare our agencies to safely handle the most challenging events that a law enforcement agency can face.Trainings like this are crucial to make our communities a safer place.”
White Plains Police Department Special Operations Commander Daniel McMahon III said, “The State Preparedness Training Center is a valuable resource to The City of White Plains Police Department. Our department sends our Emergency Service Officers to both Tactical Week and the Excelsior Challenge every year. Tactical Week offers a great opportunity for our officers to train on realistic scenarios while enhancing interoperability with other teams throughout the state.”
About the State Preparedness Training Center
New York State is home to one of the premier first responder training facilities in the nation – the State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC) in Oriskany. Located on 1,100 acres, the SPTCoffers an extensive series of realistic training venues, a Swift Water and Flood Training (SWFT) venue, a 45,000 square foot CityScape complex, and an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) simulator. From classroom lectures and discussions to skill development lanes to reality and high-performance scenario-based training, the SPTC offers state, local, and federal agencies a spectrum of opportunities for dynamic emergency first responder training.
About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
TheDivision of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism, natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, find NYSDHSES on Facebook , X, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or visit dhses.ny.gov.
