The National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) came to North East Alabama last week to hold a Hostage Rescue Training for our local Joint Special Operations Group (JSOG).  JSOG is a multi-agency Special Weapons and Tactic (SWAT) team comprised of various members of  the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, Gadsden Police Department, Gadsden Bomb Squad, and Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit.  

The mission of the NTOA is to enhance the performance and professional status of law enforcement personnel by providing a credible and proven training resource as well as a forum for the development of tactics and information exchange.

During the training week the team worked topics that included hostage rescue concepts, rapid deployment and emergency entry tactics, along with a tactical operations center and crisis negotiations concepts.  Hostage rescue techniques and force options were covered in-depth including stronghold, vehicle, and tactical precision long rifle options.

Commander Woody Johnson stated “At the end of the training week our team completed multiple fast-paced field training exercises which improved and enhanced their tactical skills. The NTOA and their instructors met their mission statement and exceeded our team’s expectations.”