Special Weapons and Tactics —

1. Flash bang — stun grenades, like counterstrike
2. Point man
3. Bearcat or armored personnel carriers (APCs)

How to become

Becoming a SWAT team member is a challenging process that requires dedication, physical fitness, and extensive law enforcement experience. Here’s a general guide on how to become a SWAT team member:

1. Meet Basic Requirements

• Education: Typically, you need at least a high school diploma or GED. Some departments may prefer or require college education, particularly in criminal justice or a related field.
• Age: You must be at least 21 years old to join most law enforcement agencies in the U.S., though requirements may vary.
• Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen (or meet the citizenship requirements of your country if applying elsewhere).

2. Become a Police Officer

• Join a Police Department: The first step to becoming a SWAT officer is to become a police officer. You’ll need to apply to a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency and successfully complete their hiring process, which typically includes:
  • A written exam.
  • Physical fitness tests.
  • A psychological evaluation.
  • Background checks.
  • An interview panel.
• Police Academy: If accepted, you’ll attend a police academy, where you’ll receive training in law enforcement basics, including firearms handling, defensive tactics, legal procedures, and community policing.
• Field Training: After graduating from the academy, you’ll typically enter a field training program where you’ll work under the supervision of a senior officer to gain real-world experience.

3. Gain Experience

• Patrol Experience: Most agencies require candidates to have a minimum amount of patrol experience, often ranging from 2 to 5 years. This experience is critical because it builds the necessary skills in decision-making, communication, and handling high-pressure situations.
• Specialized Training: While working as a police officer, seek out opportunities for specialized training in areas such as firearms, tactical operations, crisis negotiation, or emergency response. Some departments offer training that can prepare you for SWAT roles, like advanced marksmanship, close-quarters combat (CQC), and defensive driving.

4. Maintain Physical Fitness

• Physical Fitness: SWAT officers must be in excellent physical condition. Regularly train in strength, endurance, agility, and cardiovascular fitness. SWAT units often have more rigorous physical fitness standards than regular patrol officers.
• Martial Arts and Defensive Tactics: Developing skills in martial arts or other hand-to-hand combat techniques can be beneficial.

5. Apply for SWAT

• SWAT Team Application: Once you’ve gained sufficient experience and meet your department’s eligibility criteria, you can apply for a SWAT position. The selection process can be highly competitive and may include:
  • A physical fitness test specifically tailored for SWAT candidates.
  • A written exam or knowledge assessment.
  • A rigorous interview process, often conducted by current SWAT members and team leaders.
  • Psychological evaluations to ensure you can handle the stress of SWAT operations.

6. Complete SWAT Training

• Basic SWAT Training: If selected, you’ll undergo intensive SWAT training. This training is designed to prepare you for the specific demands of tactical operations and typically includes:
  • Advanced firearms training, including the use of rifles, shotguns, and handguns.
  • Close-quarters battle (CQB) and room-clearing techniques.
  • Hostage rescue operations.
  • Breaching tactics (explosives, mechanical breaching).
  • Tactical driving.
  • Rappelling and fast-roping.
  • First aid and trauma care specific to tactical scenarios.
• Ongoing Training: SWAT team members must continuously train to maintain their skills and stay prepared for a variety of high-risk situations. This includes regular drills, scenario-based training, and keeping up with advancements in tactics and technology.

7. Specialize Within the SWAT Team

• Specialized Roles: Within the SWAT team, you may have the opportunity to specialize in roles such as sniper, negotiator, breacher, medic, or team leader. Each of these roles requires additional training and expertise.

8. Demonstrate Leadership and Teamwork

• Team Dynamics: SWAT operations require flawless teamwork and communication. Demonstrate strong leadership, decision-making skills, and the ability to work effectively within a team.
• Continuous Improvement: Always look for opportunities to improve your skills, whether through additional training, cross-training with other units, or learning from after-action reviews.

9. Career Advancement

• Promotion and Leadership: With experience, you may advance to leadership positions within the SWAT team, such as team leader or commander. These roles require a deep understanding of tactics, strategy, and the ability to manage high-pressure operations.

Becoming a SWAT team member is not easy and requires a long-term commitment to law enforcement and tactical operations. However, for those who are dedicated and meet the rigorous requirements, it can be an incredibly rewarding career.

SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) teams are highly trained units within law enforcement agencies that handle high-risk operations. These operations can include hostage rescues, counter-terrorism, apprehension of armed and dangerous criminals, and other scenarios where regular police units might be at a disadvantage. SWAT team tactics are specialized to ensure the safety of both officers and civilians, and they often involve a combination of precision, speed, and overwhelming force. Here are some key SWAT team tactics:

1. Dynamic Entry:

• Rapid Breaching: SWAT teams are trained to quickly breach doors, windows, or walls to gain entry to a building or room. They use tools such as battering rams, explosives, or shotguns to force entry, often surprising the suspects.
• Flashbangs (Stun Grenades): Upon entry, SWAT teams might deploy flashbangs to disorient suspects. These devices produce a loud noise and bright flash, temporarily blinding and deafening anyone in the vicinity.

2. Containment and Isolation:

• Perimeter Security: Before making entry, SWAT teams establish a secure perimeter around the target location to prevent suspects from escaping and to protect civilians. This often involves snipers and officers positioned at key points.
• Communication Cut-Off: SWAT teams might sever the suspect’s communication with the outside world, either through electronic jamming or by physically cutting phone lines, to isolate them and reduce the chances of coordination with accomplices.

3. Room Clearing (Close-Quarters Battle – CQB):

• Stacking Formation: SWAT officers often enter a room in a “stack,” a tightly spaced line of officers who move quickly and methodically. The first officer, known as the “point man,” leads the entry, followed by others who cover different angles.
• Slice the Pie: This technique involves slowly and methodically clearing a room by exposing only a small portion of the body as officers move around corners. This minimizes the exposure to potential threats while maximizing the view into the room.

4. Negotiation and Psychological Tactics:

• Crisis Negotiation: Before using force, SWAT teams often try to resolve situations through negotiation. Specially trained negotiators work to establish communication with the suspect to de-escalate the situation and achieve a peaceful surrender.
• Psychological Pressure: SWAT teams might use tactics such as playing loud noises, cutting off utilities like power and water, or using tear gas to increase psychological pressure on the suspects, encouraging them to surrender.

5. Sniper and Overwatch:

• Sniper Deployment: SWAT teams often deploy snipers to provide overwatch and cover from a distance. Snipers are positioned to neutralize threats with precision if necessary and to gather intelligence on the suspect’s movements.
• Observation and Intelligence Gathering: Snipers and other team members equipped with binoculars or surveillance equipment provide real-time information to the team about the suspect’s behavior, movements, and layout of the target area.

6. Use of Armored Vehicles:

• BearCat or Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs): SWAT teams often use armored vehicles to safely approach dangerous areas, transport officers, and evacuate civilians or injured personnel. These vehicles provide protection from gunfire and explosive devices.
• Mobile Command Center: Some SWAT teams have mobile command centers equipped with communication and surveillance equipment, allowing them to coordinate operations on-site.

7. Less-Lethal Options:

• Tasers, Bean Bag Rounds, and Pepper Balls: SWAT teams are trained to use less-lethal options when appropriate. These tools can incapacitate suspects without causing permanent harm, providing a non-lethal alternative to firearms.
• K9 Units: Trained police dogs may be used to subdue suspects or locate hidden individuals within a building. K9 units are highly effective in close-quarters situations.

8. Hostage Rescue:

• Speed and Surprise: In hostage rescue situations, SWAT teams prioritize speed and surprise to overwhelm the suspects before they can harm the hostages.
• Simultaneous Breaches: Teams might perform simultaneous breaches from multiple entry points (doors, windows, ceilings) to confuse and disorient the suspects, reducing their ability to respond effectively.

9. Operational Planning and Rehearsal:

• Detailed Planning: Before any operation, SWAT teams conduct extensive planning, including analyzing blueprints of the target location, assessing risks, and planning entry and exit strategies.
• Rehearsal and Simulation: Teams often rehearse the operation in a controlled environment or use simulation tools to prepare for various scenarios. This helps ensure that each team member knows their role and the overall plan.

10. After-Action Review:

• Debriefing: After each operation, SWAT teams conduct a thorough debriefing to review what went well and what could be improved. This continuous learning process is crucial for refining tactics and maintaining readiness for future operations.

SWAT team tactics are designed to handle the most dangerous and high-stakes situations with precision and professionalism. These tactics are continuously evolving to address new threats and to incorporate advances in technology and training.