(DEKALB COUNTY) - The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office has announced the creation of a Special Weapons and Tactics, or SWAT, team. The department made the announcement this week, marking the completion of a year-long effort to form the unit.
Eight deputies were selected for the team and completed more than 130 hours of specialized training. According to the sheriff's office, the training covered high-risk operations, tactical decision-making, rescue techniques, armored vehicle operations, leadership development, and the use of less-lethal weapons.
Officials say the team is designed to respond to incidents that exceed the scope of routine patrol operations. The department has also invested in specialized equipment for SWAT-specific responses.
Sheriff Brady Thomas said the deputies committed significant time to training in addition to their regular duties. The sheriff's office says the SWAT team will work with other area teams when incidents require multiple agencies.