Unholstered

Today there are over 1,200 SWAT teams nationwide and one of those teams is right here in northeast Indiana. Each department is different and here in Fort Wayne, these team members go above and beyond regular duties expected as an officer. 

A SWAT team is a group of highly trained police officers who deal with very dangerous situations, from hostage situations to serving high risk warrant situations. In the case of Fort Wayne, the SWAT team has 29 members, including Lieutenant Kevin Zelt, a SWAT Commanding Officer. He says there are many roles within the team and often members carry weapons of higher caliber than most police officers do.

From training and uniforms to weapons and militarizing the police, today is about special operations. 

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Learning the art of negotiation is no easy task, especially for negotiators on the Crisis Response Team with the Fort Wayne Police Department. 

The Crisis Response Team responds to hostage situations, barricade situations, or suicidal incidents. Often times, these calls require the use of negotiators. Negotiators have special talents and training that allow then to thrive in the face of chaos and uncertainly. Officer James Payne is one of those negotiators. 

The ultimate goal is for him to peacefully resolve all calls that he responds to, minimizing injury to officers, victims and suspects involved.

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For the first time the Fort Wayne Police Department has put together a Recruitment Team.

Initially it was thought recruiting could be accomplished with six members, but considering the need is so great, there are now 13 FWPD members that go above and beyond their normal work hours to serve.  They are available to help you see yourself holding the title of Police Officer. As becoming a Police Officer requires many things... eduction, skill and physical training. If you are looking for a career change or if you are getting out of the military and feel you can rise to the challange it's time to meet the FWPD Recruitment Team.

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From patrolling the streets, to becoming a Captain with the Fort Wayne Police Department, Sofia Rosales-Scatena has spent over 27 years as an officer with the Fort Wayne Police Department. 

The love she has for her community runs deep, but there was a time in her career when that love was tested. After being in a car accident while on the job, her career was nearly ended. Many thought she would never return.

From a wheelchair, to a walker, and then to crutches, it took Sofia nearly a year to get back on her feet and into uniform. Little did she know, just days after putting her uniform back on, the love for her job would be tested again after the loss of her husband.

How she managed to stand up and show up is a remarkable story. Hear it for yourself. 

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There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to owning a firearm in the state of Indiana. Hence why setting the record straight is so important as there has been a huge influx in the number of people trying to obtain their license to carry permits. 

According to the Crime Prevention Reach Center (CPRC) concealed carry gun permits have spiked to more than 21.5 million. That is a 48% increase since 2016 and a 10.5% increase compared to the number of permits counted a year ago in 2020. Most of these individuals are new concealed carry permit seekers. 

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Owning or shooting a firearm for the first time can be intimidating. For some it's scary to even be in the same room with a person who is carrying a gun as most people are inherently afraid of what they don't know or don't understand. 

Heaving a healthy fear of guns is a good thing as they are dangerous tools. If mishandled a firearm can possibly take a life; We see that everyday. However, like most things, education is key. 

Mike Vanover, self-defense instructor and firearms expert, spends the majority of his time educating people on how to properly handle a firearm and prepares them for their first time shooting. 

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While calls are being made nationwide to change how police officers respond to someone in a mental health emergency, there should be calls about people changing how we respond to police officers dealing with their own mental health. We need to face the facts, police officers need help too. 

Over an officer’s career, on average, they are exposed 188 times to a critical incident, (defined as any situation outside the usual human experience.) For example, already in Fort Wayne for 2021 we have had 27 traffic fatalities and 26 homicides. 

The Peer Support Stress and Management Team within the Fort Wayne Police Department is how our men and women in blue know they are not alone when it comes to dealing with critical incidents. Sergeant Chis Felton is the Team Coordinator of the FWPD’s Peer Support Stress Management Team and he has one message, police officers need help too. 

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Addiction takes a toll on the entire family. If your child, regardless of age, is or has been entangled with drugs or alcohol, you may feel alone and may not be sure where to turn for support. You may spend your nights lying in bed wondering if your son is alive or thankful your daughter is in jail because you know she isn't living on the street. 

Jennifer Hope, "The Mom of an Addict" founder, understands what living this life is like, and she wants you to know that she has been there. 

"The Mom of an Addict" group offers meetings where you will learn more about addiction and  have the opportunity to connect with other parents who have a child in active addiction, have a child incarcerated due to substances, have lost their child to this horrific disease, or who have a child in recovery. 

To connect with Jennifer or to learn more about "The Mom of an Addict" organization,  click here. 

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When it comes to drugs. Times have changed. The opioid epidemic that emerged in the late 90’s and early 2000’s has shifted to a fentanyl epidemic.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, and it is inside almost every street drug that is considered an opioid. It is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Even though fentanyl is wreaking havoc across the nation and here in Fort Wayne, it is something that many people are not familiar with. Which is concerning.

Something even more concerning, we set a record in 2020 for non-fatal overdoses and for fatal overdoses. In 2021 we are already on track to break that record. Unfortunately, it is becoming an annual theme in northeast Indiana to break these records. That is why Nate Moellering and Tommy Streeter, two former heroin addicts, created Bare Knuckle Recovery.  

From being shot to overdosing multiple times, they are sharing their experiences and advice when it comes to fentanyl, addiction, and recovery.  

*If you or someone you know needs help dealing with addiction or losing a loved one from drugs you can contact Nate or Tommy here:  

[email protected]

[email protected]

Bare Knuckle Recovery: https://www.facebook.com/bareknucklerecovery/

Fort Wayne Recovery: https://www.facebook.com/fortwaynerecovery

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The September 11th attacks have fundamentally changed policing, each police officer's approach to policing and each city's relationship with the police department. Some for the better, some for the worse. 

One major in change within the Fort Wayne Police Department was how fallen comrades were honored.  

The Fort Wayne Police Pipe and Drum Brigade was founded in 2004 to honor our local heroes killed in the line of duty, inclduing Police Officers, Firefighters, Military and Dignitaries. Today the Fort Wayne Pipe and Drum Brigade is with us to honor the lives lost on September 11th, 2001. 

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