SWAT

SWAT

A SWAT (special weapons and tactics) team is an elite tactical unit in various national law enforcement departments.

They are trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular officers.

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SWAT applicants undergo rigorous selection and training. Applicants must pass stringent physical agility, written, oral, and psychological testing to ensure they are not only fit enough but also psychologically suited for tactical operations.

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Training for SWAT team members can be grueling. No SWAT unit ever really "finishes" training -- they must maintain constant fitness and the ability to respond to situations automatically.

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SWAT teams have specialized equipment including heavy body armor, ballistic shields, entry tools, armored vehicles, advanced night vision optics, and motion detectors for covertly determining the positions of hostages or hostage takers inside enclosed structures.

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SWAT teams are often equipped with specialized firearms including submachine guns, assault rifles, breaching shotguns, riot control agents, stun grenades, and sniper rifles.

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SWAT officers are selected from volunteers within their law enforcement organization.

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Officers are trained in marksmanship for the development of accurate shooting skills. Other training that could be given to potential members includes training in explosives, sniper-training, defensive tactics, first-aid, negotiation, handling K9 units, rappelling and roping techniques and the use of specialized weapons and equipment.

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SWAT duties include: Hostage rescue Riot control Perimeter security against snipers for visiting dignitaries Providing superior assault firepower in certain situations, e.g. barricaded suspects Rescuing officers or citizens endangered by gunfire Counter-terrorist operations Resolving high-risk situations with a minimum loss of life, injury, or property damage Resolving situations involving barricaded subjects (specifically covered by a hostage barricade team) Stabilizing situations involving high-risk suicidal subjects Providing assistance on arrest warrants and search warrants Providing additional security at special events Special stealth operations with silenced or suppressed weapons

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Helicopters may be used to provide aerial reconnaissance or even insertion via rappelling or fast-roping. To avoid detection by suspects during insertion in urban environments, SWAT units may also use modified buses, vans, trucks, or other seemingly normal vehicles.

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The Columbine High School massacre in Colorado on April 20, 1999 was another seminal event in SWAT tactics and police response. As noted in an article in the Christian Science Monitor, "Instead of being taught to wait for the SWAT team to arrive, street officers are receiving the training and weaponry to take immediate action during incidents that clearly involve suspects' use of deadly force.

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Training reinactment.

Cadets get hands on experience with rapid response unit.

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Everett Police Department engages cadets in the serious mission – and heavy equipment of its Rapid Response Unit.

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