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# PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY These guys definitely had their eyes on the prize
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/public-safety-facility-these-guys-definitely-had-their-eyes-on-the-prize/
- Published: 2007-10-04T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T03:09:46.000Z
- Author: Kevin Herrera
- Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*SMPD SWAT takes home top honors*

After taking home top honors in Ventura early last month, the Santa Monica Police Department’s SWAT team came out on top again, this time at the 16th Annual Best of the West competition in San Jose, which featured more than 200 competitors and 36 teams from four different states.

It was the first time that the Santa Monica SWAT team participated in the event, hosted by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department, and the first time a Southern California team has prevailed, according to SMPD Capt. Mark Smiley, who is not a member of the seven-man team, but went along for the ride to lend his support.

“I think we came out and surprised a lot of people,” Smiley said, emphasizing the fact that the teams consisted of federal, state and local agencies, some with full time SWAT teams and a department of more than 2,000 officers. Santa Monica’s SWAT team, which competed Sept. 19-20, is comprised of officers who are assigned to other duties but are on call when needed.

“We really ran away with it,” Smiley said. “I’m convinced that, after what I observed, we are probably one of the best SWAT teams in the U.S. That’s not taking anything away from the other teams. I think we just got their attention and will make everyone work harder.”

As part of the competition, officers are put through a shotgun course, life firehouse and a jungle trail obstacle course.

In addition to taking first place overall, the SWAT team finished first in the physical fitness challenge and second in the long-gun sniper course and combined weapons course.

While the nationally recognized competition is fierce, Best In The West breeds a special camaraderie among the elite special teams and serves as a workshop to share techniques and improve performance.

“For me, this really shows that the training we invested in these men has paid off,” Smiley said. “They are excellent at what they do, not just with marksmanship, but with decision making … Bottom line, our department is ready to handle any situation that comes up.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 4, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/100407.pdf?ref=smdp.com)