Apr 30, 2009 11:21 pm US/Eastern
Miami's Ultra-Tough SWAT School
Part I Of An Exclusive CBS4 News Report
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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It might look like boot camp but it's actually a tryout for Miami's SWAT school.
CBS
They are considered the elite of police departments across the country. SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) teams are the best of the best, and there is good reason for that.
CBS 4's Natalia Zea got an exclusive look at the tryouts of the Miami Police Department's tough SWAT School, where recruits must have physical strength, mental endurance, and the heart to save you if you are in trouble.
They're the cops who other cops call for help. The team called in to save you in the stickiest of situations. If you need their help, you want them to be the best in the game.
And bright and early on a Monday morning, a dozen Miami Police Officers want to prove they've got what it takes to make it into the Department's SWAT School.
Josue Hererra has only been a cop for two years and if his family had their way, he'd still be safely selling hurricane shutters.
But he wants something more.
He said, "I'll do my job 100 percent and my priority would be to preserve life."
Pierre Cazassus is originally from France, and was inspired to become a cop after the terrorist attacks during 9-11. Now he is focused on a bigger goal.
"SWAT- When we look at the Miami Police Department, everybody's looking up to SWAT," said Cazassus.
All the recruits have to overcome every trial thrown at them, do it in record time and do it fast. If they don't succeed they'll have to wait until next year's tryouts.
SWAT Trainer Steven Lorenzana pointed out, "We have a guy here that's tried out four times."
It isn't all physical; it's also about following directions.
In a complex obstacle course, the recruits have to crawl to avoid being seen by the bad guys, then they've got to shoot them, cycle their shotgun, jump over a wall, throw out a smoke grenade and get back to their team safely, all within 60 seconds. These are simulations of real SWAT situations.
Josue and Pierre blazed through the exercise, but the day isn't over yet.
Next they have to show endurance and speed by rushing a teammate out of danger while carrying him on his back.
Recruits must show no fear- of heights, or of water. They have to show they can jump from tall heights, and prove they are strong swimmers.
The last test of the day is all about pure strength. They've got to do 42 push ups in a minute, numerous sit-ups, bench presses, and 5 pull-ups with 25 extra pounds of weight.
Pierre and Josue struggle, but pull through.
But for fellow recruit Marcel Jackson, the pull-ups are an enemy he simply can't defeat. He is sent home.
In the end out of 9, only Josue, Pierre, and three others pass the grueling tryout. They'll only make it to SWAT School if they pass an interview and background check. And this tryout is easy compared to the School.
Pierre and Josue feel confident they'll make it into the school and onto the SWAT Team.
Pierre smiles and says, "It's just the beginning."
Josue is determined, saying "Failure's not an option."
We'll see, because the Miami SWAT School takes no prisoners. Unfortunately one of those 2 dedicated men did not make it into the school.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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