A police officer is on patrol when he receive a call about a domesticated dispute . When he arrives at the scene , he find that an armed man has take his girlfriend hostage and block up himself inside his flat . The ship’s officer foretell for relief , but when the other officer come , they actualise that their standard grease-gun wo n’t shoot through the barricades . They do n’t have surveillance equipment to see inside the flat , which would give them of the essence selective information about the assailant and the hostage . If the assailant pop out shoot at them , they do n’t havebody armorto protect them from his bullets . They could usegasto incapacitate him , but they do n’t have access to it . They have n’t been check to surprise the apartment and invalid the attacker with minimal endangerment of injury to the hostage , the officers and the assaulter .
fortuitously , most police force have a particular unit with the equipment and training needed to resolve exactly this kind of place : theSWAT squad . A SWAT ( Special Weapons and Tactics ) team is an elite unit within a police personnel , used for exceeding situation that expect increased firepower or specialised tactics . The military officer in a SWAT unit have undergone particular training and have access to an arsenal of weaponry , armor and surveillance devices beyond standard - issue constabulary gear . Much of this gear comes in the descriptor of military surplus .
Here are a few berth that typically require a SWAT squad call - out :
The Los Angeles Police Department is generally credited with develop the conception of SWAT in the 1960s . Political and social turmoil in the United States during that tenner led police force to settle that they were unequipped to trade with certain tearing situations . The Watts Riots in 1965 and the 1966 sniper attack at the University of Texas in Austin reinforce the fact that they ask peculiar equipment and subprogram . Daryl Gates , a high - rank LAPD officer who finally became police force chief , is often mistakenly credited with coming up with the idea of dramatize military weapons and manoeuvre for constabulary unit . However , Gates did use his stead within the force to promote the idea of a SWAT squad .
Initially , the SWAT unit was viewed with great skepticism by police officials , political leader and even other military officer . The original acronym , " Special Weapons Attack Team , " was viewed as too antagonistic , so Gates change it to " Special Weapons and Tactics . " Two incident cemented the SWAT team ’s berth within the modern police force : a barricade rack - off with members of the radical activist Black Panther Party in 1969 , and a alike site with the Symbionese Liberation Army in 1974 . The next twelvemonth , a web tv serial hollo " S.W.A.T. " further embed the idea of a SWAT team into American consciousness . Police units using paramilitary tactics quickly spread across the country , first through major city with vehement gangs , then filtering down to small cities .
Today , about 90 percent of all police forces in U.S. city with a universe of 50,000 or more have some variety of SWAT whole , while 70 percent of minor municipalities have them . That equates to just about 1,200 SWAT teams in the United States [ Source : National Drug Strategy web ] .
Next , we ’ll depend at how police force force enrol and train SWAT squad member .
Recruitment and Training
Police strength address SWAT recruitment in different ways . In most cases , experienced policeman offer for the business . If they see the stringent requirements , they are allowed onto the team . It ’s sort of like getting into a prestigious college . The desire to be on an elite squad drives these ship’s officer to take on the added responsibilities and duties . Other forces treat SWAT tariff like another degree in an officer ’s career . In these departments , every cop finally goes through two years of SWAT particular , whether they want to or not .
grooming for SWAT squad penis can be grueling . No SWAT unit ever really " polish " preparation – they must maintain constant physical fitness and the ability to answer to situations mechanically . Part - clock time SWAT unit in smaller city might train only 16 hours per month , while larger , full - time building block expend far more time on training .
The regimen begins with physical fitness . Long distance runs , sometimes while get into heavy body armour , are unite with push - ups , sit - ups , weight training and obstruction course training for agility . Marksmanship is another vital expression of SWAT education . Most SWAT units require all members to be master copy marksmen , and many team member are dependent marksmanship trainers . bump off a stationary target on a mountain range is n’t enough . Team members practice fuel while on the move , take hostile target from friendly targets , firing into barricaded rooms or vehicles and hit with a greater academic degree of accuracy than the intermediate cop . This education include handguns , long gunman and sub - machine guns . Some SWAT units travel toGunsite , a mankind - renowned firearms training quickness in Arizona .
SWAT teams rely heavily on practice session scenarios and pretence . Although they ca n’t replicate exactly what it ’s like to burst into a booby - trapped drug dealer ’s apartment or front down a hit man with a surety , these trial runs are far more efficient than simply talking about the situations . Depending on resources , teams may use computerized simulations or full - size of it mock - ups . Abandoned houses or wooden labyrinth populated with paper target area , mannequins or even other team member give SWAT agents a chance to examine out various scenario , hear from their mistakes and try again .
sure phallus of the team may undergo more specialised grooming . Advanced training is available forsnipers , explosives experts , surveillance experts andhostage negotiator . While most law department prefer to keep negotiator and SWAT teams part , the LAPD SWAT squad position every member through negotiator education , and most of the team members are certified to take on the lead negotiator function . extra education opportunity are bid by the FBI and some military branches .
The municipal price of SWAT teams can vary tremendously . In a gravid urban area , the SWAT team is ordinarily a consecrate , 24/7 building block with as many as 60 officer . Costs for equipment , training and personnel can run to seven digit . Smaller city can get by with a 10 - person squad that carry out veritable police function , but can react as a SWAT squad when the pauperization arises . This can cost somewhere around $ 100,000 per yr or more , a pregnant amount for a small Ithiel Town . Start - up costs can be even greater .
Many municipality have had achiever combine their resource with other counties and town in the part to form a regional SWAT team . Each municipality has a few groom SWAT members and key piece of music of equipment , allowing them to form a complete SWAT team when call on . Federal grants , many available through the Department of Homeland Security , can aid police agencies yield for SWAT training and equipment .
We ’ll examine some of the gear used by SWAT team members in the next section .
Basic SWAT Team Gear
Advanced artillery and equipment are part of what set a SWAT team asunder from steady patrol military officer . SWAT officer piece together their organic structure armour from military surplus and item buy with federal Duncan Grant money . Sometimes they grease one’s palms their own .
bear body armor is a balancing act between protection , oestrus and exemption of movement . The body and head are unremarkably protect using Kevlar panels and a Kevlar helmet . Some SWAT consistency armour incorporate ceramic armor . For more information about the different types of body armour , retard outHow Body Armor Works .
Each SWAT policeman has a heap of freedom in make up one’s mind which weapon he feel most prosperous using . The typical SWAT officer ’s arsenal include a reliable , knock-down handgun , a sub - machine gun and a scattergun . Officers trained for counter - sniper body of work will have a prospicient - range rifle . Popular handgun pick let in the Sig Sauer P220 and P226 , 9 mm guns made by Glock , Beretta or Heckler & Koch ( peculiarly accelerator from the USP serial publication ) . Many SWAT agents prefer the high firepower supply by a Colt .45 . Handguns are typically worn lower down on the leg than the hip joint holster common to patrol officer , with a limited holster for fast draws .
Semi - automatic arm used by SWAT squad are often guns that were impound from drug dealers , so there ’s a great deal of variety . Uzi , AK-47s and M-16s are all plebeian , and the H&K MP-5 is another popular choice . All of these weapon can be equipped withsilencing devices , allowing military officer to take down suspects and wield stealth if other hostile suspects are nearby .
There are several models of 12 - gauge shotgun utilitarian for SWAT purpose . The benefit of a shotgun let in utmost stopping mogul at close range and the ability to hit a target speedily without having to take thrifty target . scattergun can also spread doors , and snap bounced off of pavement can level suspects from concealment place . Models by Remington , Benelli and Mossberg can be found in SWAT units throughout the United States . It is also potential to jump on a shotgun under the barrel of a sub - machine ordnance . The Knight Master Key S and Ciena Ultimate are combining gun of this type .
SWAT squad make frequent utilisation of flash - bang grenade and grenade catapult to disenable or daunt off rioters . Foam , wood , rubber and bean old bag round weakened suspect with a reduced fortune of doing serious damage , while tear gas and capsicum atomizer can forget someone gasping for breeze and in serious pain until the effect wear off . For exposure and detailed information on these types of weapons , control outHow Riot Control Works .
Police sniper are cognize to prefer deadbolt - action at law rifles . Many expend run rifles qualify for police use , while some give to spell European rifles . Laserand optical sights can be used . One restriction : military .50 calibre rifles have restrict police use . They are so powerful that a shooting can easily go flat through a suspect ( or even a rampart ) and stumble a hostage or bystander .
Most SWAT vehicle are scavenge and modify . Repurposed delivery vans , bus or panoplied car can be base paint smutty . Extra armour may be added if the fomite might be used for tactical intent , such as force back the team into a unsafe area to begin an assault . Other SWAT vehicles are meant to stay behind the lines , acting as mobile bid posts . turgid motor homes are popular , though expensive . They have the reward of providing a working bathroom for the team members to utilise during lengthy standoffs .
To meet intelligence on a position , SWAT teams will use many forms of surveillance equipment . High - power binoculars are a introductory necessity , andnight vision gogglesor scopes extend obvious benefits . thermic imaging and even radar system permit law to see the locations of people in full duskiness , through dense smoke or fogginess , and sometimes through walls . A variety of tiny television camera and microphones can be used to sneakily forgather more information about the activeness and condition of suspects and hostage .
There ’s more to being a SWAT team member than weapons and other gear – maneuver play a huge part . We ’ll depend at these next .
Tactics and Planning
Ideally , SWAT officers do n’t see themselves as paramilitary soldiers , but as peace of mind officeholder . This might seem to conflict with their aggressive and often fierce tactics , but the optimum outcome of any SWAT squad call - out is one in which no one is needlessly killed or hurt . That admit hostages , clean-handed bystanders , officers and even the crook themselves . SWAT tactics are meant to intimidate and confuse – using deadly force is a last resort .
A distinctive SWAT call - out starts with the on - duty team members out on patrol , training or doing other police workplace . They may get a line of an incident over their law wireless that sound like it could call for SWAT . At this point , they have been give no schematic control to assemble as a team , but they may begin preparing their gear and head to law headquarters if they are n’t in the middle of something that ca n’t wait . The subprogram for officially set off the SWAT squad varies from one section to another , but in general a luxuriously - outrank police force functionary will make the call . If more team member are require , off - duty SWAT agent will be foliate .
It may take an hour or more for the squad to assemble . During this time , regular patrol officers will have secured the perimeter of the scene and maintain it under surveillance . Once the SWAT team arrives at law headquarters , they will be brief on the situation before loading into their SWAT vehicle . This vehicle transport the team and their gear , and in many cases it is also fit out to serve as a mobile command headquarters . Whether they use a fomite or a nearby house or office , the squad sets up their statement post close to the fit of the incident , but in a safe post .
At the command postal service , squad leaders begin assimilate information . ground check on the defendant , the layout of the area , known weapon system involved , the numeral and disposal of hostages , potential motives – any info could be utilitarian . At this power point , negotiators get in liaison with the suspect ( if potential ) and seek to get additional information . ( For more data on hostage negotiation , readHow Hostage Negotiations Work ) . If the SWAT squad is miss some of the essence selective information , such as the specific location of the suspect and hostages in a barricaded house , they will send team members to gather it using surveillance equipment . These recon units usually operate on as two - person squad , and they are expert at stealing .
One matter SWAT squad have ascertain over the geezerhood is that crazed gun for hire do n’t always hold back around for SWAT to execute a cautiously - conceive plan . The defendant could come out shooting at officers , killing hostage or make an leakage attack . For this ground , SWAT teams develop a few " quick and dirty " contingency programme as soon as they arrive on the aspect .
Given enough time , the team will devise a more panoptic programme base on all the intel they have pile up . They will determine if there will be freestanding teams , where they will enter , the timing of the entry , what ordinance will be used and other contingent . There may be preliminary steps , such as drilling a small hole in a wall and using a pinhole camera to keep an centre on the defendant , or using a beguilement to draw the suspect toward a sure location . If the SWAT squad is going to assist a high - risk arrest countenance , they can spend more clock time planning .
In the next division , we ’ll examine how a SWAT team typically conducts a maraud .
Conducting a Raid
When the SWAT team initiates a raid , it spring a single - file line do it as thesnake . This minimizes the turn of team members who present an open target to armed suspects , though it patently maximize the risk to the officeholder at the front of the line . This officer is know as thepoint man . It ’s his job to enter an unknown way first ( after other squad members have impel the door open , if necessary ) and knock off any suspect that he run into . The point mankind is the officer who most often has to make disconnected 2d decision . Is the person rushing at him armed ? Is that a defendant halt a gun for hire ? Is that a hostage or a suspect ? Such decision are literally matters of spirit and death .
If you ’ve ever watched a fictional SWAT team in activity in a picture show or TV show , you may have noticed how each team member enter a room and quickly drops into a certain post or cover a certain part of the room . That is n’t fabricated , and it does n’t occur by accident . Each squad member has anArea of Responsibility ( AOR ) . The wink they make entry into a room , each SWAT agentive role directly cover his or her AOR . This is design so that the officers are n’t in each other ’s direction , and ensures that the entire elbow room is covered as promptly as possible . However , just like the defense lawyers of a football squad react to dissimilar offensive free rein , the officeholder respond and adjust their AOR in answer to event going on inside the room .
As the SWAT squad figure the room or edifice , they will scream loudly , or they might use a " split second - bang , " agrenadethat creates more light and haphazardness than actual concussive force . The target is to disorientate the suspects for at least a few seconds – usually enough prison term for SWAT to have them cover with their weapons and face up down on the floor .
An enormous number of variable quantity can bear on the event of a SWAT maraud . The in effect case scenario is one in which the suspects surrender or are disoriented long enough to be immobilize and whomp by officeholder . approximately 90 percent of all SWAT call - out end without the SWAT team elicit a single shot . Of course , maraud can go bad . If the suspect force a opposition , he may be toss off by the SWAT officer . Officers themselves can be shot , and hostages can be taken out by tempestuous suspects or errant police bullets . That ’s on the button what SWAT team train to avoid .
irrespective of the resultant , once the position is resolved , the SWAT unit of measurement ’s work is n’t done . First , there ’s paperwork to fulfil out . More significantly , every SWAT call - out is subject to a review article and evaluation . The squad discusses positives and negatives , and it utilise that info to direct its training and correct problems in future call - out .
We ’ll look at some of the criticisms of SWAT teams in the next section .
Criticism of SWAT Teams
Although most hoi polloi agree that unit of especially educate and armed officer are involve for in high spirits - risk site , there is growing concern that SWAT squad are misused and overaggressive . SWAT team are called out to swear out warrants on non - trigger-happy wrongdoer , or conduct raids ground on info from criminal source , leading them to foray into the wrong house . They burst into people ’s home unheralded , terrifying the occupier , who often oppose in self - defense . There are several case in which a SWAT maraud has lead in gratuitous terror , belongings harm and expiry :
The maneuver used by SWAT teams constantly top to mission of inordinate use of violence or unlawful death causa . While many of these suit are settled for unrevealed amounts , they can range from tens of G of dollar sign to multi - million dollar mark settlement . The South Carolina mellow school SWAT , for representative , cost the police section , Ithiel Town and shoal district $ 1.6 million .
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