 This
section covers Plymouth Township Police Department's Special Operations Team (SOT). In keeping with the growing trend in the
law enforcement, Plymouth Township trained and equipped twelve officers to
handle highly volatile crisis situations. The Special Operation Team was charged with handling
high risk warrants services, barricaded gunmen, hostage situations and any other
incident outside the realm of the patrol officer.
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Please select a topic from the list below or scroll down to read the entire section.
The Plymouth Township Police Department’s Special
Operations Team was founded in 1988.
The Special Operation Team's main responsibility is
responding to hostage situations, armed and barricaded situations, and serving
high-risk warrants.
An additional duty that has come to the force recently is
preparation issues related to Homeland Defense.
The Special Operations Team continues to train extensively
each month to maintain a high state of readiness.
In March of 2005, the municipalities of Plymouth,
Whitemarsh and Conshohocken joined forces to form the Colonial Special
Operations Team. The CSOT is comprised of twenty assault team members, a
four-officer sniper team, a six officer negotiating team and an attachment of
ten tactical medics. The team is made up of two platoons, each containing two
squads. A Command Staff of Tactical Commander and an Assistant Tactical
Commander are responsible for the operations of the team who ultimately answer
to the Incident Commander.
CSOT members are selected from the ranks of the three
Departments. Officers must be highly motivated and able to demonstrate his/her
ability to withstand the intense demands of working under stress and as a team
member. They are expected to meet all physical demands as well as complete a
vigorous 40-hour basic SWAT school. The team trains often including yearly
training at the FBI Academy located in Quantico, Virginia, by the FBI’s Hostage
Rescue Team. The result is a proficient, highly motivated team, ready at a
moments notice to respond to any crisis in the area, and able to provide their
unique skills and expertise while maintaining the highest level of safety for
all people involved.
The CSOT is prepared to meet any challenge and it is
reflected through our high level of commitment, training and fitness.
The Special Operations Team has a myriad of weapons and
equipment available in order to provide several options in meeting its mission.
They include chemical munitions, distraction devices, tazers, H & K MP –5 sub
machine guns, Remington 700 BDL rifles, H & K 53 .223 cal. Assault rifle, 9mm
Kimber 1911 .45 cal tactical pistol, as well as other useful equipment.
Click here to visit the Weapons Photo Gallery.
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Plymouth
Township
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