SWAT Policies
SWAT is an early-response team of police officers specialized in defusing hostile situations and minimizing the loss of civilian life. SWAT uses the most modern weapons available to address a multitude of situations to which an standard police officer could never be prepared to face. Each police department defines the policies for its SWAT team; however, the National Tactical Officers Association releases updated guides to help police departments develop their own SWAT policies.
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Operational Constructs
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The National Tactical Officers Association defines the standard operational construct for SWAT teams as hostage rescue; sniper support; barricade; high-risk situation and apprehension; response to terrorism; protecting dignitaries; and special assignments that exceed the capacity and expectations of standard police units. Individual departments can add to this list or remove if they have other programs already dedicated to one of these assignments. For instance, the Southern Maine Regional SWAT policy accepts all of these operational purposes but divides the responsibilities of its SWAT department between pre-planned strikes and immediate action response situations, allowing it to respond differently under each of these conditions.
Personnel Selection
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National Tactical Officers Association requires that each department design a specific criteria for applicants, providing a clear list of qualifications that each candidate must meet. The association leaves the specifics up to the individual police departments. As an example, the Southern Maine Regional SWAT team requires that applicants serve at least one full year as a police officer, face an oral vetting procedure before the team leaders and team commander, pass an obstacle course exam and pass a physical.
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Training Requirements
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The National Tactical Officers Association requires that departments design specific training requirements for their SWAT teams, including specialized training programs in critical skills for each task responsibility. For instance, the Southern Maine Regional SWAT team extends these training requirements, stating that all its SWAT teams must train together, with each SWAT member present. The agency allows the SWAT commander to define the specific training tasks. It also specifies a regularly training cycle for sniper officers, in addition to the other training requirements.
Command Relationships
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National Tactical Officers Association requires each department to define the exact command hierarchy that goes into effect when they deploy a SWAT team. This includes on-scene police officers and other special police units, such as the crisis negotiation team. As an example, the Southern Maine Regional SWAT team states that when a SWAT team arrives on the scene, the SWAT commander becomes responsible for the scene and takes control of the command center.
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References
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