Northwestern College’s Naperville Campus Hosts SWAT Team Training

[Naperville, IL] On Thursday, March 28^th, Northwestern College’s Naperville Campus (1809 N. Mill Street) was the site of SWAT Team training for approximately 20 law enforcement officers of the 5^th District SWAT Team of Cook County.  SWAT officers were seen in full combat gear in the parking lot and throughout the campus, moving stealthily through hallways, classrooms and offices conducting scenario-based drills.  Northwestern College could provide them with the facilities for training, for no students were on campus due to the college being between quarters.  The College’s spring quarter starts next week.   

SWAT officers briefly sat through classroom training on the topic of close quarter combat situations and techniques for clearing buildings and office settings, and then spent the greater part of the day applying these techniques in offices, classrooms and around the campus.  They were compelled to address subjects hiding in offices while they were clearing the area, and deal with unknown devices found during their searches, devices that could be explosive.  The SWAT Team, divided up into smaller groups of about 5-6 officers, applied training skills to each distinctive situation and then moved on to the next.   

SWAT Teams are comprised of officers from numerous law enforcement agencies, with the make-up of the squads changing over time as new members come on throughout the year.  The teams train twice a month and are called upon when required in emergency situations. The 5^th District SWAT Team is comprised of officers from fourteen (14) communities of the south suburbs that correspond with Cook County’s 5^th District court system.

Opening up its campus for local law enforcement training is just one more way that Northwestern College continues to partner with the community.  The College’s Bridgeview Campus is a frequent location for police training and has been utilized many times in the past by numerous law enforcement agencies, including the FBI.  Northwestern College features a Criminal Justice Program within its School of Legal Studies, with many of its instructors being current and former law enforcement officers.  These instructors thus maintain strong professional relationships with various law enforcement agencies. 

This week’s training was brought to the Northwestern College Naperville Campus via Mike Collins, a Criminal Justice Instructor at the campus for the past three years.  Collins, who also serves as a Patrolman with the Palos Hills Police Department, is an Assistant Team Leader with the 5^th District SWAT Team.

About Northwestern College:

Northwestern College (NC) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, http://www.ncahlc.org.  The college offers focused career-oriented associate degree and certificate programs with flexible schedules and a supportive faculty. Day, evening, weekend, online classes and online programs are available. More information can be found at www.northwesterncollege.edu or by calling toll-free (888) 205-2283.