Tryouts Held for Three SWAT Openings

March 17, 2010

(LAKE AFTON, Kan.)

It hasn't happened in two years, and only three will make the cut. SWAT tryouts in Sedgwick County ended Wednesday. From reading maps, to flipping tires, to a grueling obstacle course, the process of "getting in," isn't for the weak.

Tryouts are the like the job, far from easy. "I've missed Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas dinners, birthdays, all kinds of things that you can get called out for," explains Lt. Vaughn, a veteran SWAT member.

But for the 13 Wichita Police Officers and Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputies, SWAT is a responsibility they're willing to push their bodies to the limit for.

"It's gonna mean everything. It's what I wanted ever since I got hired on five years ago. It's what I've worked hard for," said Officer Bruce Redenbaugh.

It's the first time SWAT openings have been up for grabs in years, meaning this is the first chance Redenbaugh has had to try out.

"It's grueling, but I stay in shape. I've been training for this for about three months now and this was scheduled clear back in October and got postponed, so I was ready for it."

Tryouts are three days of work, sometimes looking more like a strong man competition than police drill.

"That's probably a 280 pound tractor tire they're flipping."

But qualifications for SWAT go far beyond who's the strongest or the fastest. It's about who can work as a team, who's mentally prepared for the job, and who's ready to take on the commitment.

Redenbaugh adds, "It's what interests me. That's the great thing about being a police officer, there's so much different stuff that you can find your niche and this is what I want to do with my career."

Using what strength he has left, to hope he made the cut.

20 people currently make up the SWAT team. One of the openings is for the last original member of SWAT, started in 1986.

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