CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Police Department recently hosted a tactical training exercise. Chief Joey Duncan said the department’s Tactical Unit, established in the mid-1980s, has been training for high-risk and crisis situations for nearly four decades.
“While specialized response teams are not a new concept, Cullman’s unit has consistently maintained high standards and rigorous training schedules to ensure safe and effective outcomes for officers, bystanders and suspects alike,” Duncan said. “The Cullman Tactical Unit represents the highest level of training and preparedness within our department. Their dedication ensures that when our community faces its most critical moments, we are ready to respond with precision, professionalism and care for the safety of everyone involved.”
Duncan said the team trains multiple times each month, focusing on a wide range of missions and real-world scenarios.
“Their most recent training exercise included precision shooting drills performed under cardiovascular stress, designed to simulate the physical and mental demands of high-risk interventions,” he said. “The training also incorporated breaching techniques and methods of entering structures through doors, windows or other access points.”
Coordination between sniper teams and immediate action teams played a central role in the exercise.
“Sniper teams are tasked with observing, reporting critical information and, if necessary, neutralizing threats with precision,” Duncan said. “Meanwhile, immediate action teams are responsible for securing structures or areas quickly, allowing aid to be delivered to those in need without delay.”
Cullman Fire Rescue medics also participate in every training session to provide emergency medical support, ensuring that health and safety remain a top priority during both exercises and real-world deployments, he said.
