Shakopee Police Department 2023 Annual Report

SWAT

By Officer Phil Englin

The Tri-City Tactical Team (TCTT) is a multi-jurisdictional special weapons and tactics (SWAT) unit that responds to critical incidents in Scott and Carver Counties This team is comprised of Scott and Carver Sheriff’s Offices, police departments from Prior Lake, Savage, and Shakopee, and tactical paramedics from Mdewakanton Fire Department The team has two officers in command roles, three snipers, five tactical medics, six crisis negotiators, one crime analyst, and 18 operators for a total of 35 members In 2023, the Shakopee Police Department had six officers assigned as tactical operators—Sergeant Mike Penning, Officer Jake Kerr, Officer Dustin Filan, Officer Alexander Godfrey, Officer Andrew Erickson, and Officer Phil Englin— and one officer on the Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT)— Officer McKenzie Lampman Also in 2023, Officer Godfrey joined the precision long rifle element of the team When serving on the TCTT, officers attend monthly trainings and additional, specialized trainings for individual assignments Operators specialize in topics such as the ballistic bunker, gas munitions, less lethal munitions, precision long rifle, and more All the team operators receive training in specialty areas including hostage rescue tactics, high-risk warrant service, slow and deliberate searching techniques, distraction device/chemical munitions deployment, firearms training and qualifications, wooded area/open field search tactics, breaching/ballistic shield operations, VIP/dignitary protection tactics, tactical scouting, and reconnaissance Members of the CNT train monthly to develop and practice their communication skills The CNT is an integral part of the SWAT team: These officers are trained to conduct background research regarding the individuals involved in the call, and they talk with the subjects/suspects until they can safely and calmly exit the building without anyone getting hurt The members of this team are able to bring those skills back to the patrol team and assist officers on the street to peacefully resolve stressful and dangerous situations

The TCTT also trains with South Metro Tactical Teams (Richfield, Bloomington, MSP Airport, Burnsville, and Eagan police departments) and attends an annual four-day training conference at Camp Ripley In 2023, the teams were trained by an outside instructor group specifically on hostage rescue tactics and movements The TCTT and CNT had three team activations in 2023 The CNT was also deployed at times when the tactical team was not needed The team served numerous Tier 2 warrants, assisting agencies in Scott and Carver Counties to effectively and safely execute those warrants Officer Jake Kerr was awarded the MD65 Award for the operator of the year on the TCTT He was selected by the members of the team for his hard work, leadership, and dedication to the team

Officer Jake Kerr earned the MD65 Award for Operator of the Year

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