This email was just sent to me by a SWAT Sgt whose team we trained last week. He encouraged me to use it on our website, so here goes: Thanks, Joe!

"ITTS instructors just completed a 50-hour basic SWAT course for the Lakewood Police element of the Metro Pierce SWAT Team, a multi-city SWAT Team located in the South Puget Sound Region of Washington State. This event covered multiple training objectives to include Warrant Service planning and execution, Hostage Rescue and Barricaded subject scenarios. Advanced skills taught included vehicle take-downs (up to MTA bus assaults) and covered pile problem solving. All of the objectives included immediate action drills and culminated with full mission profile scenarios to include the use of crisis negotiator teams.

The level of instruction was nothing short of spectacular. The instructors, both current LAPD SWAT operators, were top-notch. It was obvious to everyone on my team that these guys were the real deal and everything taught had a distinct purpose behind it. The instructors blended real life experience into the training scenarios which made for realistic problem solving. Many of the officers on my team had never been exposed to SWAT operations until this class. ITTS instructors have formed a solid foundation for all of the members of my team; this will allow us to go to the next level tactically. Each of us understand that this was a great first step to being a fully-functional element and that SWAT is a thinking officer's game. Everyone appreciated the level of professionalism, knowledge and patience ITTS instructors presented.

We look forward to continuing our training relationship with the staff at ITTS."
Sergeant Joseph Kolp LK-13
Patrol Supervisor / SWAT Team Leader
Lakewood, Washington Police Department