Yesterday was the first day of Western Wayne County Consortium's SWAT school. The three-week long school is hosted by Canton Police Department and includes participants from police agencies around Michigan, including Port Huron, Ferndale, Northville City and Township, Van Buren Township, Royal Oak, Dearborn, Livonia and Pontiac.

Participants who successfully complete the school earn state SWAT certification and will return to their respective departments to join existing SWAT teams. Participants from departments belonging to the Western Wayne Consortium are hoping to earn a position on the Western Wayne County Special Operations Team.

During the three-week school participants will take part in an intensive physical training program beginning with the successful completion of a physical pre-test administered on the first day. This pre-test includes a 1-1/2 mile run, pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, 100-yard dash and a 100-yard body carry, all performed with time restrictions. Participants must pass each event to continue on with the school.

Along with daily physical training participants will learn the science of ballistics, weapons nomenclature, diversionary devices, chemical agents, tactical rappelling, building searches, and building entry techniques. Special attention will be given to range work with a wide variety of weapons including semi-automatic pistols, shotguns, AR15's and sniper rifles. During the final week participants will take part in testing on all weapons systems, range qualification on all weapons systems, building searches, shotgun obstacle course, tactical rappelling, final physical training, and a written exam. Students passing all final testing will graduate from the school on Friday, September 8, during a ceremony at Canton's Summit on the Park beginning at 2:00 p.m.