SWAT team members train at Upstate Shield event. (Oct. 2, 2012/FOX Carolina)GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) -
Hostage scenarios involving armed suspects are among the most stressful and dangerous situations that law enforcement officers have to face.
That is why 17 local agencies came together Tuesday for the second annual training event known as Upstate Shield.
The hands-on drills are designed to help officers learn how to properly respond before a crisis actually hits, said Jonathan Bragg, a representative with the Greenville Police Dept.
Officers and deputies worked with local SWAT team members to stage hostage scenarios. They took turns playing the roles of negotiators and suspects.
SLIDESHOW: Officers train for real-life scenarios
Deputy Tony Lee with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office said it was helpful to experience both sides of the situations.
"It's actually just as good for training whether you're on the other end of the phone negotiating or whether you're the bad guy because it kind of gives you their perspective of what you're dealing with inside that room," Lee said.
Officers and deputies staged five scenarios Tuesday, including a hostage situation at a restaurant, a suspect barricaded in a car and a gunman at a hospital.
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