SWAT: A foreign perspective
SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) is a term for law enforcement
units which use specialized or military equipment and tactics. SWAT
units are often equipped with specialized firearms including machine
guns, assault rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, riot control gear, and
stun grenades. In addition, they may use specialized equipment including
heavy body armour, armoured vehicles, night vision goggles, and motion
detectors for covertly determining the positions of hostages or hostage
takers, inside enclosed structures. SWAT teams respond upon the request
of the Incident Commander (IC) to barricade/hostage episodes, and/or
suicide intervention, as well as initiate service of high risk warrants.
The Incident Commander shall request SWAT when at a barricaded or
hostage incident when the suspect is probably armed; the suspect is
believed to have been involved in a criminal act or is a significant
threat to the lives and safety of the public and/or police; the suspect
is in a position of advantage, affording cover and concealment or is
contained in an open area and the presence or approach of police
officers could precipitate an adverse reaction by the suspect; and, the
suspect refuses to submit to arrest.
Response
Since 1967, the Los Angeles Police Department's Special Weapons And
Tactics Team (SWAT) has provided a ready response to situations that
were beyond the capabilities of normally equipped and trained Department
personnel. Since its inception, LAPD SWAT Team members have affected the
safe rescue of numerous hostages, arrested scores of violent suspects
and earned hundreds of commendations and citations, including several
Medals of Valor, the Department's highest award for heroism in the line
of duty. Today, the LAPD SWAT Team is known worldwide as one of the
foremost police tactical units in contemporary law enforcement. The need
for SWAT expertise and assistance with warrant service is dependent
upon: unusual circumstances beyond the capabilities of normal warrant
service; heavily fortified location; weapons are present and have been
used in the past; gang members are known to be present; use of
diversionary tactics is anticipated; and, door and window pulls are
anticipated.
Concept
The special weapons and tactics concept originated in the late 1960s
as a result of several sniping incidents against civilians and police
officers around the country. Many of these incidents occurred in Los
Angeles during and after the Watts Riot. Upon critical examination of
how each incident was managed by police, the leadership of the LAPD
realized that an effective response to these dangerous situations was
virtually non-existent. Officer John Nelson presented the special
weapons and tactics concept to a young inspector by the name of Darryl
F. Gates. Inspector Gates concurred and approved the concept of a small
group of highly disciplined officers utilizing special weapons and
tactics to cope with these unusual and difficult attacks.
Training
The first Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit consisted of 15
four-man teams. Members of each team, who volunteered from the ranks of
patrol and other police assignments, had specialized experience and
prior military service. Each unit was activated for monthly training or
when the need for special weapons personnel actually arose. These units,
known as "station defense teams," provided security for police
facilities during civil unrest.The first challenge to these pioneers in
the field of special weapons and tactics came in 1969. On December 9th,
search warrants for illegal weapons were served at the Black Panther
Headquarters at 41st and Central Streets. The Black Panthers resisted
and attempted to shoot it out with 40 members of the SWAT Team. In the
ensuing four-hour siege, thousands of rounds of ammunition were fired,
resulting in the wounding of three Panthers and three police officers.
The Panthers finally surrendered to SWAT officers, whose first mission
was now an indelible part of history. In 1983, the Department sent three
SWAT supervisors to Europe to evaluate and develop the techniques
employed by military groups such as the German GSG-9, French GIGN, and
the legendary British 22nd SAS. A rigorous and difficult training
program was implemented with one objective: to develop a true hostage
rescue capability within the SWAT Team.
Challenge
The next major challenge for SWAT came in 1984. With the Summer
Olympic Games coming to Los Angeles and terrorism proliferating around
the world, Los Angeles was a probable target.
The leaders of the Department and the SWAT Team again recognized a
need and began to work diligently to develop a skill that did not yet
exist within the LAPD SWAT Team or any other SWAT Team throughout the
nation.Since the advent of the domestic hostage rescue skill, the SWAT
Team has rescued dozens of hostages and currently handles approximately
100 barricaded suspect incidents and over 120 high-risk warrants a year.
The Original SWAT World Challenge is an annual competition of law
enforcement SWAT teams. It is usually held close to Little Rock,
Arkansas, USA and its goals are to encourage exchange of
ideas/techniques and promote the high level of tactical skills, mental
focus and physical endurance possessed by SWAT Teams. |
