How to Become a Swat Officer
SWAT is an elite force in some police departments. They are the specialized team that gets called out to handle the sticky situations, when the regular police officers are outnumbered or out gunned. Becoming a member of SWAT (special weapons and tactics) is a lofty ambition that takes hard work and dedication.
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Instructions
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Become a police officer. SWAT members come up through the ranks of the regular force, and you will need a solid grounding in law enforcement. Do your best in the academy to graduate with high marks.
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Make sure the force you join has a SWAT division. Not all police departments can afford or even really need a SWAT team. You want to be sure that you place yourself where the opportunity to become a SWAT officer is available.
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Sign up for extra courses in law enforcement, and take part in as many extra training programs, seminars and exercises as possible. Pay special attention to your shooting, defensive tactics, and legal education. SWAT officers often have to testify on the stand.
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Keep your nose clean and work well with others. You will need the recommendation of your partners and superiors if you hope to be a SWAT member.
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Stay fit. Parts of a SWAT officers job can be extremely demanding physically. You also want to keep your brain in top shape, so avoid excessive alcohol use and make sure you get plenty of sleep because you want to be in top shape when that call comes in.
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Tips & Warnings
If your city doesn’t have a SWAT division, see if they have a similar program, like ERT (Emergency Response Team).
Becoming a SWAT member doesn’t happen overnight, so be patient. Use your time to hone your skills and expertise.
- Photo Credit Google images
