FCSO SWAT Meets The Challenge In Dubai

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Bunnell, FL - Eight members of the Flagler County SWAT team, along with Sheriff Rick Staly (right center), are back from a trip out of the country. The team flew to Dubai on February 6 to take part in the 2019 UAE SWAT Challenge.

Four agencies from the U.S. were invited by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Interior and Dubai Police to participate in a training competition. All travel and accommodations for FCSO's team have been paid for in full by the UAE and the Dubai Police.

Forty-nine SWAT teams from across the world were given five tactical Challenges over five days. Each challenge was designed to enhance global cooperation between the teams with members participating in fact-based scenarios to create skill improvement and best practices.

Detective Diego Morales said the team did well and the the competition was very valuable. "Hearing stories from others who have experienced tragedies and been there to pick up the pieces is priceless and you learn a lot from the experiences of others. That simply wouldn't happen if we weren't given this opportunity."

Sheriff Staly was also invited to Dubai. with all expenses paid. While in the UAE, Staly met with the Dubai Police Chief and the Deputy Prime Minister. He was there to to encourage the FCSO SWAT team and also to get a first-hand look at new tools and tactics available to agencies around the world.

"Our SWAT team was competing with agencies who have been attending SWAT Challenges for the past 30 years," Staly said. "The fact that we placed 32nd proves that we have a well-trained and outstanding SWAT team. I am very proud of each of our team members and their performance and team effort."