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SEARCHFIT will be focused on responding to shooting scenes and apprehending suspects. Team members also underwent training for treating gunshot victims and tactical training for situations such as traffic stops, emergency entries and clearing buildings.
The Portland Police Bureau's (PPB) Focused Intervention Team meant to address the city's gun violence problem hit the streets for the first time Wednesday.
"This is a great day for us. It's been a long time in the making, but we wanted to get this right," PPB Chief Chuck Lovell said.
The Focused Intervention Team (FIT) consists of 12 officers and two sergeants. They were required to complete 65 hours of training before stepping into their new roles.
According to the police bureau, FIT will be focused on responding to shooting scenes and apprehending suspects. Team members also underwent training for treating gunshot victims and tactical training for situations such as traffic stops, emergency entries and clearing buildings, KGW reports.
Lovell said a community oversight group will lend support to FIT by giving input on how the team is run and potential issues that arise.
