40 Swat trainees graduate today

A total of 40 highly skilled police officers, who completed the Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) advance course last June, will graduate today at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) grounds, Camp Leonor Domingo.

DCPO spokesperson Ma. Teresita Gaspan said yesterday that the police officers were already equipped with their complete Swat uniform, however, the SIG Sauer M4 Rifle and the modified swat van have yet to be purchased by the city government of Davao that also funded the training. The city allocated a budget of P 3 million for the project.

The highlights of the event will be the showcase of exhibition and operational readiness to counter terrorism, criminality and other security threats to public safety.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will grace the event.

Selected police officers started their 15-day training last June 29. They have undertaken several training to further improve their skills and competence to address security challenges that the city may face.

The Swat officers will serve as tactical support component, who have the skills in dealing threats like baggage suspected to contain bombs. Since they are highly trained police units, they will handle the situations that are beyond the capability of conventional police personnel.

The training of the new Swat personnel is part of the implementation of Oplan integrated revitalized operation of neighborhood-watch (Iron) City

under DCPO city director Police Chief Superintendent Alexander Tagum .

The program is designed to "re-organizational, retraining and the equipage of the Expanded Davao SWAT mainly to cover identified sectors of the City as Tactical Support Component". JCR