Norman Police SWAT Team to Conduct Training at Stadium

Officers from the Norman Police Department’s SWAT team will hold a training drill inside the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 3.

During the training drill, Norman SWAT team officers will conduct live fire sustainment training in the facility to maintain their skills in engaging targets from the varying heights, distances and angles that stadiums present officers. The public is advised that gunfire from inside the stadium may be heard between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. that day.

The OU Police Department and the OU Athletics Department are hosting the exercise to ensure a high level of readiness for stadium events.

“The use of the Norman Police SWAT is a standard part of our OU football game day law enforcement response, so it is critical that the officers get to train inside the venue to replicate game day conditions as closely as possible,” said OUPD Deputy Chief Kent Ray.

Officers are required to pass a qualification test before shooting live rounds in the stadium. During the training, officers will be positioned in a variety of locations around the venue. Officers will target OUPD’s rifle-rated bullet traps – special equipment that captures all bullets and any fragments.

The training exercise is a way for officers to maintain the skills that help ensure safety during large events.

The training is closed to the public.
 

By Jaimy Jones