The Gastonia Police Swat Team is expanding by integrating members from the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, Belmont Police, Stanley Police, Cherryville Police and the Mount Holly Police Department, creating a multi-agency regional response special situation team.
Originally, in 1988 the Gastonia Police Department SWAT Team included a 6-man entry team along with a 5-man sniper team, all from the Gastonia Police Department. Over the years the team grew to 19 members from within the department. The new multi-agency team will allocate a 24-officer entry team and a 12-officer sniper team. This expansion will allow self-sustainment for a longer period of time and an increased operational capacity. Not all members are shown below.
MEET THE TEAM
Team Commanders Captain Steve Duncan Sergeant Travis Brittain
Sniper Team Sergeant Mike Smith Sergeant Eric Howard Mac Campbell Mike Watts Andy Gregory Shaunte Southern Brian Lindsay Doug Black Sergeant Brad Pickert (Belmont PD) Josh Colvard (Gaston County Sheriff's Office)
Entry Team Sergeant Jimmy Arndt Jim Poole Sergeant Jamey Blalock Kevin Putnam Brain Atkins Scott Norton Anthony Borja Matt Willis Lex Popovich Dave Wind Craig Singer Tony Cape Captain Gary Williams (GCSO) Brain Lawrence (GCSO) Stephen Strickland (GCSO) Joe Griffin (GCSO) Jason Ellis (GCSO) Sergeant David Sisk (Mount Holly PD) Michael Lloyd (Mount Holly PD) David Lancaster (Belmont PD)