The Flower Mound SWAT vehicle comes to a halt behind an unmarked car.

A team of six files out in full gear, taps up the line and moves in – barking commands at the suspects before pulling them from the car.

This was the ideal scenario the Flower Mound Citizen Police Academy ran through during SWAT training Oct. 22.

But in real life, it’s a different story, said Steven Caldwell, crime prevention officer.

“This is our chance to let [the citizens] know what SWAT is like – what we’re thinking, how to put a team together and be able to go out and operate as a team,” he said. “That’s what we want to convey to them.”

Before the training, the class was briefed on everything from team positions and responsibilities to answering calls and gearing up with personal equipment, such as a bulletproof vest, helmet, pads, weapon, eye protection and even a gas mask.

Then it was go time.

The class was divided into teams of six.

The citizens suited up and went one-on-one with the officers, learning about their position’s role in the team.

Then they put their new knowledge to the test, running through an ideal SWAT scenario.

“It was great. The best part was trying to get into the truck; that vest was down to my thighs,” Antoinette Lucania said, laughing.”

On a more serious note, Lucania said the citizen police academy has made her feel safer.

Her husband, Douglas Brown, said it was interesting to see the teamwork that’s necessary.

“The people don’t realize the multitude of tasks the police have,” he said.

Put your hands up!

Just like everyone else, I put on the bulletproof vest, helmet, clutched onto a handgun.

I also held the shield, which weighs about 25 percent of my body weight.

I was the pretend point person on the Flower Mound SWAT team.

Now, when I look at the officers, I think one thing: respect.

I almost tripped filing out of the SWAT truck. My hand cramped up while gripping the shield. The trunk door hit me in the head. (I guess that was the purpose of wearing a helmet.) And I realized, if it were a real SWAT call and I was the point person, I’d be the first to die.

But the best part was being the one to call out the commands such as, “Police! Get your hands up!”

Immediately after, I earned a new nickname: Sgt. Hooks. I was told the name comes from an ’80s movie called Police Academy, and apparently, the officer speaks in a high-pitched voice. Guess what, I can’t help it.