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Council approves $9,000 contract for joint SWAT training, funded by Byrne JAG grant
Summary
The council authorized a $9,000 consulting contract with Gideon Group LLC to provide training for the Southern Hills Special Assignment Unit; the cost will be reimbursed by the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.
The Hot Springs City Council approved a $9,000 consulting agreement with Gideon Group LLC to provide training and consulting services for a multi‑agency tactical team, the Southern Hills Special Assignment Unit (SHSAU). The cost will be reimbursed by the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant the city previously accepted.
Captain Phil Shively of the Hot Springs Police Department and other law‑enforcement leaders briefed the council on the SHSAU, which is a joint task force composed of the Hot Springs Police Department, the Custer County Sheriff’s Office and the Fall River County Sheriff’s Office. The contract as amended in council discussion adds “approximate” personnel counts for each participating agency and clarifies that the 120 minimum training hours apply to the SHSAU team in aggregate rather than to each individual officer.
Council members asked where training would occur; Shively said the team will use regional facilities including a shoot‑house at Ellsworth Air Force Base and ranges in Edgemont and Custer for live‑force and close‑quarters training. The training is intended to create a baseline of skills and accountability and to help standardize policies across participating agencies. Council members said the training addresses real incidents that have required multi‑agency response in the region.
Misty, the finance officer, and the city attorney participated in clarifying contract language during the meeting. The council approved the amended contract on a unanimous voice vote.
The agreement includes an exhibit recording approximate participant counts for Hot Springs, Fall River and Custer agencies and inserts an explicit note that failure to provide the minimum aggregate team training hours would constitute a breach by the consultant. Captain Shively said the training is expected to conclude in September 2025 with follow‑on training and grant opportunities to sustain the team.
The contract documents and an acknowledgment from the participating sheriffs were included in the meeting packet. Council members said they support using grant funds to build tactical capability while keeping oversight through documented policy and interagency agreements.
