New year, new team.

Beginning Wednesday, Sandy Springs police has a SWAT team of around 30 officers including a sniper team and crisis negotiation team.

The new team is ready to respond to situations including hostage rescue, barricaded suspects, and high risk arrests and search warrants.

The city was part of the North Metro SWAT, a multi-jurisdictional tactical team that included Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Dunwoody, Chamblee, and Brookhaven police departments, but the city decided to make its own team.