COLORADO CITY, AZ – In a proactive move to strengthen local law enforcement capabilities, the Colorado City Police Department has sent two of its officers to Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) training. SWAT teams are specialized units within police forces trained to handle high-risk situations that are beyond the capabilities of regular patrol officers. These situations often include hostage crises, active shooter events, barricaded suspects, and the execution of high-risk warrants. The decision to send local officers to this training is aimed at improving response times and officer preparedness in such critical incidents.
Officers Davis and Officer Winkler are currently attending the intensive training, which spans one week and packs in roughly 100 hours of rigorous, regimented instruction. The training is designed to develop tactical skills necessary for managing high-threat scenarios—skills that could be critical before backup from regional teams can arrive.
“We want our officers to have the education and knowledge to be safe,” said Police Chief Rob Radley. “The biggest part about this training isn’t just tactics—it’s ensuring that our patrol officers are better prepared and protected.”
Garret Winkler, a Marine Corps veteran, brings military experience to the program, adding depth to the department’s growing tactical capability. Both Winkler and Davis are expected to apply their training in the field immediately and potentially join the county’s Metro SWAT team in the future.
Currently, when major incidents arise, Colorado City must wait an hour or more for Metro SWAT to arrive. Chief Radley says that’s too long. “This is part of an ongoing effort. We plan to continue sending officers through this training so we can always have tactical knowledge available within our own patrol unit.”
The department’s goal is not only to bolster emergency response times but also to foster a higher standard of training across the board, something Radley sees as essential to modern policing in rural communities.
“This is about readiness, safety, and making sure our officers—and our town—are as protected as possible,” he said.
