Hickory Police

The Special Operations Team (SOT) is comprised of 13 officers and is commanded by Captain Thurman Whisnant. These officers fulfill daily assignments within the department, coming together when a tactical response is needed. Extensive training and specialized tactical equipment is what sets this unit apart from other police functions.

Members of Hickory’s SOT train monthly working on issues like building searches, hostages situations, barricaded subjects, and serving high risk search warrants. The team drills on these type events to the point where their movements are synchronized and designed to show the armed violator that non-aggression is the only practical alternative.

In addition to their practical exercises, each training session includes extensive physical conditioning. Members of the SOT must go through intense monthly physical fitness testing in order to remain a team member. They also must maintain a high level of firearms proficiency as well as top performance in their normal duties.

E-mail Captain Whisnant