PROVO, Utah -- They're known as the best of the best in law enforcement. And for the first time ever, Utah County has added a woman to their SWAT team.
Nisha Henderson has worked in law enforcement for more than a decade.
"This is something I've always wanted to do, I've always wanted to be an officer since I was a little girl," Henderson said.
Once she reached her childhood dream, Henderson set a new goal, to become a member of the SWAT team.
For two years, the 38-year-old single mother of twins, prepared herself mentally and physically for one of the most demanding jobs in law enforcement.
"It took me a long time -- physical fitness, training,” Henderson said. “Prior to the SWAT tryouts I was working out three times a day and I was running and doing bench press and CrossFit.”
After passing rigorous tests she was selected as the first woman to join the Metro SWAT Team.
"Of course it was an extremely exciting highlight of my career; one of my big goals that I had set for myself," Henderson said.
Henderson’s SWAT commander said each day she proves herself to be one of the guys.
"Placement on the team is not a gender-based issue -- it's not a male, female issue it's someone that can prove they're capable of performing the tasks necessary to be successful in what we do in SWAT," Capt. Todd Grossgebauer said, the Metro SWAT commander.
"It is intense but it is absolutely a brotherhood and a cohesive team and I feel lucky to be a part of the group," Henderson said.
While Henderson is the only female SWAT team officer in Utah County, she hopes it doesn't stay that way. She wants to see more women get involved in law enforcement.
