Bridgeport?s first SWAT team is in its final stages of certification, and members say they?re ready to get out there.

Sixteen of Bridgeport?s finest have trained using simulated missions dealing with riot and hostage situations. The group, diverse in its training background, was hand-picked by Bridgeport Police Chief Bryan Norwood.

The commander of the team, Sgt. John Quedo, says Bridgeport is a target-rich environment. He says the creation of the SWAT team is long overdue.

The Bridgeport Police Department had been trying to get a team together for at least 20 years, but the money was not there. Last spring, Quedo and Norwood collected more than $300,000 from federal grants to pay for weapons, uniforms and training.

The unit is expected to be fully certified and ready to respond by the end of October.