ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Coast Guard hosted tactical training for local marine law enforcement agencies at Station St. Petersburg, Thursday.
The tactical operator’s course consists of 20 hours of classroom training and 16 hours of practical on-the-water training, teaching the basics of security zone patrol enforcement, escorting high value assets and pursuit tactics.
Eighteen local marine law enforcement crewmembers received qualifications from the course. The crewmembers came from a range of agencies including Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Hillsboro County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, Pinellas County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, Tampa (Florida) Police Department and Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg.
“It takes a community to protect a community,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Eamon McCormick, the officer in charge of Station St. Petersburg. “ It’s not just a Coast Guard mission.”
This is the first time in recent years the Coast Guard has hosted the training.