Gastonia Police Department SWAT Team Achievements
The Gastonia Police Department SWAT Team has earned state, regional, and national recognition for its performance in tactical competitions and real-world operations.
The team is a six-time 1st place state winner at the North Carolina Justice Academy SWAT Competition (1992–1994, 1996, 2013, and 2014), and earned a 3rd place finish in 2025. Regionally, Gastonia’s SWAT has been a three-time winner of the Southeastern SWAT Competition in Spartanburg, South Carolina (1995, 1997, and 2004).
The 11th Annual Southeastern SWAT Competition, held April 28–May 1, 2004, in Spartanburg, was billed by ESPN as the National SWAT Challenge.
In recent years, the team has competed in the North Carolina Tactical Officers Association (NCTOA) SWAT Competition, earning 2nd place overall in 2024 and 1st place overall in 2025.
Nationally, the team was recognized by the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) in 2022, receiving a Unit Citation of Valor for a hostage rescue incident. The award was presented at the NTOA National Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In addition to team awards, Gastonia SWAT members have earned individual honors. In 2022, Sgt. Adam Wilson won the Fittest Operator Award with the Physical Fitness Challenge through the National Tactical Officers Association.
