Utica PD and New Hartford PD SWAT Team Approved for State Certification

UTICA, N.Y. -- Some exciting news for the Utica and New Hartford Police Departments.

Officials said the State Division of Criminal Justice Services has approved their SWAT Team's Certification application.

The team is made up of members from both police departments.

Fewer than 10 teams in the state have the certification.

Utica Police Chief Mark Williams said the community should be proud.

"Out of hundreds of SWAT Teams in New York State, only nine are certified. We're one of the nine so what it means is, as a department, we follow the best practices that are out there," said Williams.

There are 21 members on the SWAT Team.