CCSO's SWAT team places 3rd of 42 teams at Orlando competition
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
Citrus County, Florida - During the week of Nov. 7-12, 2021, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office Special Weapons and Tactics ("SWAT") team competed in the 2021 International SWAT Round-Up International competition in Orlando, Florida placing third out of the 42 teams that participated.
More than a competition, this event is a weeklong training opportunity for competitors to not only outperform themselves, but to work as a unified group striving for excellence. This annual competition tests the well-rounded abilities of each participant, focusing on real-world scenarios, such as sniper drills, physically demanding training exercises, on-the-fly critical thinking assessments, and much more. Each event challenges the team's physical abilities, stamina, marksmanship, and teamwork.
The competition involved 42 SWAT teams from around the world, including locations like Hungary and Bosnia, along with teams from around the U.S.A. Nationally renowned instructors guided and scored each team through its performance.
"We are proud of our SWAT team and their outstanding commitment to improving themselves and going up against the best of the best," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "Although the competition was one week long, the exceptionally superior performance of these men is a testament to their peerless dedication of better serving the citizens of Citrus County. I have no doubt our team will continue to lead the way and build upon the foundation set at this year's SWAT Round-Up."
Citrus Couny's SWAT team, dedicated to keeping our community safe, year-round, includes:
Deputy Thomas Beagan
Lieutenant Bobby Lambert
Sergeant Brian Casalvieri
Deputy John Boudreau
Deputy Rudy Danner
Deputy Donald Hunter
Deputy Kyle Riemer
Sergeant Heath Schaffer
Deputy Geoffrey Blotz
One undisclosed (but still appreciated) member