SWAT stands for "Special Weapons and Tactics," and was established by the LAPD in 1968 to deal with situations where the danger to life and property is beyond the norm. Examples are hostage situations, controlling riots, snipers and intervening when people threaten to kill themselves. Some police departments use their own acronyms for their special teams, but the requirements for joining the SWAT team are similar for each department. Lets break down what it takes to join the SWAT team.
You will need to have some experience as a police officer. How much experience? Well most police departments require officers to have at least 12 months of general experience as a law enforcement officer before being allowed to even apply for SWAT. Some even require a minimum of 24 months experience.
1) This assures that officers are grounded in police procedures and are performing the same duties as other police officers.
2) Be in excellent physical shape. Although all police officers must pass a physical, SWAT team members need to be in better shape than other police officers because of the rigors of their duties. Taking part in a tactical workout program of the kind used by special forces in the military (e.g., Army commandos, Navy SEALs) would be a suitable way to train for joining SWAT.
3) Commendations for your work ethic will help you when you apply to join the SWAT team, while negative reports by your superiors during your first year will weigh against you. Make sure you set an example and a good one.
4) How to apply to join SWAT. A written test is required to determine knowledge of police procedures, physical fitness exams to determine strength, endurance and visual acuity, and most important an oral interview to determine mental fitness are the main requirements.
5) Train as a SWAT member. All SWAT members are trained in marksmanship and the ability to handle firearms such as semi-automatic pistols, shotguns and submachine guns. Training may also include work with explosives such as flash grenades and bean bags, crowd control and non-lethal weapons such as tasers, defensive tactics against snipers and terrorists, negotiation skills and first aid.
Many law enforcement agencies are now giving different types of SWAT training to all their agents or officers as a result of the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 to allow them to act more efficiently in those types of critical situations.
You will need to have some experience as a police officer. How much experience? Well most police departments require officers to have at least 12 months of general experience as a law enforcement officer before being allowed to even apply for SWAT. Some even require a minimum of 24 months experience.
1) This assures that officers are grounded in police procedures and are performing the same duties as other police officers.
2) Be in excellent physical shape. Although all police officers must pass a physical, SWAT team members need to be in better shape than other police officers because of the rigors of their duties. Taking part in a tactical workout program of the kind used by special forces in the military (e.g., Army commandos, Navy SEALs) would be a suitable way to train for joining SWAT.
3) Commendations for your work ethic will help you when you apply to join the SWAT team, while negative reports by your superiors during your first year will weigh against you. Make sure you set an example and a good one.
4) How to apply to join SWAT. A written test is required to determine knowledge of police procedures, physical fitness exams to determine strength, endurance and visual acuity, and most important an oral interview to determine mental fitness are the main requirements.
5) Train as a SWAT member. All SWAT members are trained in marksmanship and the ability to handle firearms such as semi-automatic pistols, shotguns and submachine guns. Training may also include work with explosives such as flash grenades and bean bags, crowd control and non-lethal weapons such as tasers, defensive tactics against snipers and terrorists, negotiation skills and first aid.
Many law enforcement agencies are now giving different types of SWAT training to all their agents or officers as a result of the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 to allow them to act more efficiently in those types of critical situations.
About the Author:
Want to find out more about SWAT Team Training, then visit Barron Nel's site on Training Requirements for SWAT Teams.
No comments:
Post a Comment