County's SWAT team trains for use of force

With a car fortified in 12,000 pounds of armor, tear gas, AR-15 rifles, flash bangs for distraction and other riot gear, Whitman County has long had a police force capable of handling emergencies—the Whitman County SWAT team.

Formed in 2002, they are specially trained for the emergencies like the 2007 shootings in Moscow or the early 2000 spring WSU riot.

The team includes officers from the WSU Police Department, the Pullman Police Department and the Whitman County Sheriff’s office.

Fourteen officers train once a month, usually picking remote or abandoned locations, and rehearse over and over...