SWAT

Introduction

The desire to become a SWAT team mamber must be matched by persistence and dedication to a team concept. The following information is presented as an overview of some of the criteria and methods teams use to select new operators. Criteria and selection methods differ from team to team, and weather the agency has a full-time or part-time SWAT unit.

Personal Qualities

Tactical operations are specialized work and call for specialized individuals. Tactical team members must exhibit many good qualities and be mentally and physically competent. Only serious individuals need to be associated with tactical operations. The purpose of being a team member is not to further a political career or play dress-up and wear cool looking uniforms. In fact, this is the last reason for you to want to be on a tactical team. If this is what you want, there is no need for you to apply. While there are no absolute guidelines for selecting personnel for tactical operations, strength and fitness is only a part of what makes up a good SWAT operator.

• Intelligence - It doesn’t take very much thought to give someone a weapon and send them through a door. For tactical operators, intelligence is an absolute must. Good skills in reasoning and being able to "think on your feet" are highly sought after operator traits. Tactical operations by their very nature are dynamic and on the spot planning and adaptability are essential. Selection of individuals with above average intelligence and from diverse educational backgrounds greatly enhances the versatility of the team.
• Physical Fitness - Operators should be in shape! This does not mean that everyone should be able to press 500 pounds of iron and tear through a steel door barehanded, but that they have good strength characteristics. While upper body strength is part of this, stamina is an equally (if not more important) part of physical fitness. Individuals should be in good shape with as few joint problems as possible. Also, operators should be non-smokers. The last thing a team needs is someone who needs to take a smoke break or who smells like an ashtray. Physically, an operator should be able to run, hike, climb, and swim as a normal part of daily PT.
• Motivation - Self-motivation is a key part of an operator’s success. Persons who enjoy a challenge and thrive on success make good SWAT operators. This may sound counterproductive by getting a bunch of egomaniacs on a team, but motivation and competition are good team player qualities. Motivated individuals are generally reliable individuals.
• Stability - An even temperament is essential for an operator. Tactical teams do not need someone who cannot keep their cool under stress.
• Team Spirit - This is probably the most essential skill an operator can have. Remember, there is no "I" in "team". Tactical units cannot afford the luxury of someone who wants to pack it in for the day when things start going badly. You can not say "I quit" in the middle of any operation and expect to be successful.

SWAT teams are normally considered a specialized assignment, and for that reason it is a tested position. Teams will test new candidates on their physical fitness, mental stability, and suitability to the team structure and function. Some teams may require a written commitment to this assignment due to the ever changing work schedules, perpetual on-call work status, and mandatory response time and attendance (not to mention the time and money spent in the basic training of a new recruit).

The following is a basic guideline of soem of the testing procedures and requirements considered by SWAT teams:

• Written Exam - may consist of tactical material, policies and procedures, and other skills necessary.
• Fitness Test - A variety of tests are used. Depending on the physical location, possible operations an operamator may be required to conduct, and any other physical fitness requirements which are normally tested regularly.

  The following is just one example of a basic SWAT enterance PT test. These tests are used as a guide to test a candidates fitness level and to reveal determination and desire to make the team. - Maximum Bench Press (one rep)
  - Maximum Leg Press (one rep)
  - Maximum Pushups (1 min time limit...all the way down using proper form)
  - Maximum Situps (1 min time limit)
  - 1.5 Mile Timed Run
  - 300 Yard Sprint
  - 150 lb. "Dummy Drag"

  This is a very minimal physical test. Other departments may require swimming, running, and more advanced PT testing. Each department has it's own standards for team selection. SWAT operators are expected to be able to regularly pass fitness tests to remain operational. Additionally, more advanced SWAT schools often have stringent fitness requirements (LE diving for example requires a swimming/water survival test).

  

  For more information on preparation, get the SWAT Operator Fitness Guide (available here soon).

• Firearms Test - SWAT teams require their members to utilize firearms of various types with more proficiency and safety than other officers. For this reason the firearms test given to candidates will normally be more comprehensive than anything encountered in either the regular police academy or in regular annual qualifications and training. The average firearms test may consist of:

  - Target Acquisition Drills
  - Rapid Fire Sequences
  - Shooting on the move
  - Mechanical knowledge of weapon operation

• Review Board - Candidates may be required to pass an interview board, wich is usually conducted to test and individuals ability to think on their feet and gain insight into their suitability for assignment. A great amount of information may be gained from a candidate including personality type, the amount of preparation they put into testing, their ability to work as part of a team, and their level of commitment. Some interviews may also require the the candidate make a presentation on a SWAT-related topic. This is just another tool used by SWAT teams to test candidates and is not conclusive as a testing procedure, but is used in conjunction with other methods (as those previously mentioned).

• Psychological Evaluation - SWAT team candidates may be required to undergo psychological testing as part of the selection criteria or as a post-selection process. Some teams use this test as a post selection limiting the evaluation to any candidates they are interested in. A few of the things that may be relevent are the candidates ability to work with a team, level of self confidence and ability to manage stress. Some test procedures may be more strenuous and require higher scores to be picked for team assignment.

• Other Selection Factors - Teams may have pre-testing requirements or post-selection guidelines that a candidate may have to agree to. Failure to comply may lead to reassignment. Some of these guidelines may include but are not limited to no smoking or tobacco use of any kind, no alcohol use, required response time to callout, and minimum service requirements.