TPD shows off rappel training in latest vlog

4/26/2018

A screenshot from the Toledo Police Department's latest vlog on rappelling.

TOLEDO POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Toledo Police Department isn’t solely hanging out for the camera — their recent rappel training was just as practical as it was entertaining.

As part of the team’s monthly “vlog” on YouTube, the TPD SWAT Team posted a video Wednesday showing rappel training at the Huntington Center. According to a press release, the department is actively trying to increase community engagement through social media, an idea TPD got from departments in Miami and East Lansing, Mich.

This particular vlog focuses on the required equipment, how to rappel, and why it’s a necessary strategy for the department.

“Because we have so many large buildings in the area, both residential and commercial, we do rappelling mainly for hostage rescue or barricades where we can’t access the ground floor,” said Sgt. Matt Slaman. “We also use it for team building, it helps us build trust in each other with rope tying.”

Sgt. Slaman also mentioned in the video that while rappelling is practical, their favorite part of it is dressing up as superheroes for public events like the ProMedica Toledo Children’s Hospital Halloween celebration.