Table Of Content

A GENERAL OUTLINE OF SWAT TEAMS IN THE US Doctrine "To come up with last minute solutions to impossible problems created by other people" - anonymous SWAT operator. First and foremost, SWAT is for saving lives. Period. This is the most important job as members of the law enforcement community. SWAT teams are part of law enforcement, unlike military Special Operations, that enforce policy. It is sometimes argued that SWAT teams are intimidating to the community at large and place too much emphasis on "military-styled" tactics and operational procedures. But in todays age of extremely violent criminals, heavily armed gangs, and large drug cartels, capable units need to exist to protect the public and enforce the law. So what is SWAT doctrine? Boiled down to its most basic level, SWAT exists to save lives. A Note About SWAT Shootings In many popular police movies, the heroes shoot their weapons repeatedly and kill one bad guy after another, making for sensational action footage. Those fantasies, coupled with sensationalized police shootings, reinforce the stereotype that all officers are trigger-happy. But according to most police officials, crime experts and studies by The Associated Press of law enforcement methods, the majority of police officers, let along SWAT operators, nationwide never fire their weapons during their careers. Despite the low number of police shootings, there's the perception that officers constantly fire their weapons. Often this is stereotyped by the media. SWAT teams may be viewed as para-military, or even over-kill in the law enforcement community because of their military-styled dress, weaponry, and show of force. These elements are used by SWAT not only for personal protection, but alsoto give them the advantage they need to effectively resolve whatever situation they encounter without anyone getting hurt. Operations SWAT Teams are utilized for a variety of missions due to their versatility, skill and training. High-Risk Warrant Service SWAT is utilized for high-risk warrant service when the probability exists for violence. High risk warrant service includes arrest warrants, forced entry warrants, and even mental health warrants. Special circumstances must exist for a team to be called in to serve these warrants such as suspects with violent histories, suspects with known weapons, weapons present at a location, and the suspects own propensity for violence. The team may serve warrants in parto uniforms by "knock and announce" methods, or in full tactical gear using dynamic entry methods. Hostage Rescue Hostage Rescue and barricaded suspect opertions are another primary SWAT operation. In hostage rescues, SWAT is utilized after negotiations have broken down or if there is an imminent threat to life and will typically wait hours for negotiators to resolve the incident before acting. While negotiators are working, SWAT operators constantly monitor and evaluate the situation, prepare for possible sceanrios, use sniper/observer teams and scouts to gather new intelligence, and stay in contact with the negotiators. If an emminate threat to life exists, SWAT will not wait for negotiators and will take the necessary steps to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Surveillance Operations SWAT operators may be called upon to perform surveillance operations in both active and passive settings. Active setting include hostage/barricade scenes where a fully equipped and armed surveillance team sets up to monitor suspect activity inside a building. The team may be called upon to take action to preserve life during such an operation. Another example could include a team setting up to monitor a location with a high level of narcotics trafficing or where the entry team is preparing to enter. A passive setting could be a marina where a team in civilian clothes would pose as fishermen, divers, etc. to watch a suspected narcotics trafficing operation. The operators may be lightly armed, carrying weapons and equipment in dive bags or coolers to blend in. SWAT sniper/observer teams may be called on to conduct covert surveillance for a variety of agencies because of their ability to get in and out of locations undetected, react quickly and appropriately if needed, and take note of details. Dignitary Protection SWAT Team members are also called upon to participate in dignitary protection assignments. SWAT operators are a natural choice for this type of duty due to their ability to plan, prepare for, and anticipate threats. These requirements are part of all missions that SWAT teams conduct. SWAT operators may be called in to serve in plain clothes or in full tactical gear. Operators may be directly responsible for security to the principal, provide tactical support for the security detail, cover for transports, or a combination of all of the above. Undercover Operations Support Providing tactical support for undercover (UC) operations is another mission of SWAT. They may be requested to provide arrest teams, surveillance, or be on tactical stand-by. Teams may be frequently requested to participate in this type of operation because of their ability to provide an immediate and accurate response if a UC officer is compromised or take hostage. SWAT Operator discipline and focus often make the difference when trying to resolve a rapidly changing dynamic situation. Training Because of their specialized training, SWAT operators are often called upon to train other officers within their department. This training may include everything from teaching basic officer survival in a police academy to advanced weapons training for patrol officers. Since training dictates response, SWAT teams take every opportunity to train each other, train with other teams, train with military units, and are constantly looking for new ideas. For SWAT operators, training opportunities include teaching and training at several different levels, from classroom work to field operations. Some training SWAT conducts may include such courses as: • Police Academy Courses - Arrest techniques, building searches, firearms, defensive tactics. • Law Enforcement Diving - Search and Rescue and Tactical Maritime Operations • Basic Tactical Operations • Intermediate Tactical Operations • Advanced Tactical Operations • Hostage Rescue • Basic through Advanced Marksmanship • Law Enforcement Sniping By the very nature of the name, SWAT teams deploy more exotic weapons and equipment than standard patrol units. The weapons and equipment presented here is a general overview, not meant to be entirely representative of every tactical unit. Typically, SWAT teams are formed along lines not entirely unlike high-speed special operations forces in the military. Handguns Handguns in some cases make up the primary weapon deployed by SWAT. Handguns used by SWAT are typically the most reliable weaponry on the market. Examples of SWAT handguns include Sig Sauer, Glock, Beretta, H&K, and Colt. While these weapons are primarily semi-automatic, revolvers still have their place on SWAT teams. An example would be in automobile hostage rescues, where pressing the barrel of a semi- auto up to a windshield can cause the mechanism can disengage and render the weapon inoperable. Long Guns Long guns form the primary backbone of SWAT firepower. Included in this category are shotguns, submachineguns, assault rifles, and sniper rifles. Subguns are used extensively by SWAT teams and make up the majority of long guns carried by most teams. Subguns are easily manuverable and carry sufficient ammunition when there is a high risk of CQB. Primarily, subguns are employed to counteract heavy firepower used by todays most violent criminals. These include weapons such as the H&K MP5 series, Colt M177 and M4 carbines, Ruger Mini 14 series, and Beretta M12. Assault rifles are in a slightly different category than subguns, being larger and somewhat less manuverable in tight spaces. While employed less frequently, assault rifles have the advantage of being able to hit targets at range and are generally more controllable than their smaller subgun counterparts. Examples deployed with SWAT includes the Colt AR-15 series and HK 53/33. Shotguns are employed for numerous different uses in SWAT. Shotguns are very versatile weapons and for that reason are favored by entry teams. Buckshot rounds may be used for several different purposes. Shotgun uses include using special breaching rounds to breach door hinges and locks, using gas rounds to launch tear gas into structures, and even using flares in nighttime operations. The most common breaching technique is to use a pistol-gripped shotgun with special magnesium "TKO" round that will disentegrate on impact. Sniper rifles are employed by sniper/observer teams with SWAT. Sniper rifles are long range, medium caliber rifles designed for pinpoint accuracy. They are usually bolt-action and are outfitted with a high-quality optical scope, bipod, and in some cases an attached rangefinder. The Remingtom Model 700 in .308 (7.62) or .300 WInchester Magnum is a popular sniper system. Other popular rifles include those made by Savage Arms and H&K. Other Specialized Weapons SWAT teams employ a wide variety of less than lethal weaponry to fight crime. These weapons give SWAT the advantage of neutralizing a subjects ability to fight back without using deadly force. Some of these type of weapons include 37mm and 40mm gas guns, air tasers, strobe devices, sting grenades, flashbang grenades, and sticky foam. Of these weapons, tear gas and flashbang grenades are the most commonly deployed operationally. Flashbangs are used to stun and disorient subjects usually during dynamic entry operations. A typical flashbang puts out 175 db of noise at 5 feet, along with about 2.5 million candela of light. This will cause disorientation, temporary deafness, and temporary blindness, allowing SWAT officers to quickly gain control of a subject. For gas rounds, both 12 gauge and 37/40mm OC and CS rounds are most commonly used. As a side note, any shotgun used for less than lethal applications or gas deployment should be merked and used for that purpose only. This is so the rest of the team knows the operator with this weapon does not have instant access to lethal force and will require a cover man at all times. Training and Preparedness Guide Introduction The desire to become a SWAT team mamber must be matched by persistence and dedication to a team concept. The following information is presented as an overview of some of the criteria and methods teams use to select new operators. Criteria and selection methods differ from team to team, and weather the agency has a full-time or part-time SWAT unit. Personal Qualities Tactical operations are specialized work and call for specialized individuals. Tactical team members must exhibit many good qualities and be mentally and physically competent. Only serious individuals need to be associated with tactical operations. The purpose of being a team member is not to further a political career or play dress-up and wear cool looking uniforms. In fact, this is the last reason for you to want to be on a tactical team. If this is what you want, there is no need for you to apply. While there are no absolute guidelines for selecting personnel for tactical operations, strength and fitness is only a part of what makes up a good SWAT operator. • Intelligence - It doesn’t take very much thought to give someone a weapon and send them through a door. For tactical operators, intelligence is an absolute must. Good skills in reasoning and being able to "think on your feet" are highly sought after operator traits. Tactical operations by their very nature are dynamic and on the spot planning and adaptability are essential. Selection of individuals with above average intelligence and from diverse educational backgrounds greatly enhances the versatility of the team. • Physical Fitness - Operators should be in shape! This does not mean that everyone should be able to press 500 pounds of iron and tear through a steel door barehanded, but that they have good strength characteristics. While upper body strength is part of this, stamina is an equally (if not more important) part of physical fitness. Individuals should be in good shape with as few joint problems as possible. Also, operators should be non- smokers. The last thing a team needs is someone who needs to take a smoke break or who smells like an ashtray. Physically, an operator should be able to run, hike, climb, and swim as a normal part of daily PT. • Motivation - Self-motivation is a key part of an operator’s success. Persons who enjoy a challenge and thrive on success make good SWAT operators. This may sound counterproductive by getting a bunch of egomaniacs on a team, but motivation and competition are good team player qualities. Motivated individuals are generally reliable individuals. • Stability - An even temperament is essential for an operator. Tactical teams do not need someone who cannot keep their cool under stress. • Team Spirit - This is probably the most essential skill an operator can have. Remember, there is no "I" in "team". Tactical units cannot afford the luxury of someone who wants to pack it in for the day when things start going badly. You can not say "I quit" in the middle of any operation and expect to be successful. SWAT teams are normally considered a specialized assignment, and for that reason it is a tested position. Teams will test new candidates on their physical fitness, mental stability, and suitability to the team structure and function. Some teams may require a written commitment to this assignment due to the ever changing work schedules, perpetual on-call work status, and mandatory response time and attendance (not to mention the time and money spent in the basic training of a new recruit). The following is a basic guideline of soem of the testing procedures and requirements considered by SWAT teams: • Written Exam - may consist of tactical material, policies and procedures, and other skills necessary. • Fitness Test - A variety of tests are used. Depending on the physical location, possible operations an operamator may be required to conduct, and any other physical fitness requirements which are normally tested regularly. The following is just one example of a basic SWAT enterance PT test. These tests are used as a guide to test a candidates fitness level and to reveal determination and desire to make the team. - Maximum Bench Press (one rep) - Maximum Leg Press (one rep) - Maximum Pushups (1 min time limit...all the way down using proper form) - Maximum Situps (1 min time limit) - 1.5 Mile Timed Run - 300 Yard Sprint - 150 lb. "Dummy Drag" This is a very minimal physical test. Other departments may require swimming, running, and more advanced PT testing. Each department has it's own standards for team selection. SWAT operators are expected to be able to regularly pass fitness tests to remain operational. Additionally, more advanced SWAT schools often have stringent fitness requirements (LE diving for example requires a swimming/water survival test). For more information on preparation, get the SWAT Operator Fitness Guide (available here soon). • Firearms Test - SWAT teams require their members to utilize firearms of various types with more proficiency and safety than other officers. For this reason the firearms test given to candidates will normally be more comprehensive than anything encountered in either the regular police academy or in regular annual qualifications and training. The average firearms test may consist of: - Target Acquisition Drills - Rapid Fire Sequences - Shooting on the move - Mechanical knowledge of weapon operation • Review Board - Candidates may be required to pass an interview board, wich is usually conducted to test and individuals ability to think on their feet and gain insight into their suitability for assignment. A great amount of information may be gained from a candidate including personality type, the amount of preparation they put into testing, their ability to work as part of a team, and their level of commitment. Some interviews may also require the the candidate make a presentation on a SWAT-related topic. This is just another tool used by SWAT teams to test candidates and is not conclusive as a testing procedure, but is used in conjunction with other methods (as those previously mentioned). • Psychological Evaluation - SWAT team candidates may be required to undergo psychological testing as part of the selection criteria or as a post-selection process. Some teams use this test as a post selection limiting the evaluation to any candidates they are interested in. A few of the things that may be relevent are the candidates ability to work with a team, level of self confidence and ability to manage stress. Some test procedures may be more strenuous and require higher scores to be picked for team assignment. • Other Selection Factors - Teams may have pre-testing requirements or post-selection guidelines that a candidate may have to agree to. Failure to comply may lead to reassignment. Some of these guidelines may include but are not limited to no smoking or tobacco use of any kind, no alcohol use, required response time to callout, and minimum service requirements.