SWAT – Training

A SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) team, is an elite Police Special Intervention Unit; deployed by many municipal and state police departments. The objective of SWAT-Training is to prepare team members to perform dangerous operations such as: high-risk police work, hostage rescue, armed intervention, counter terror or high-ground & perimeter security of special events and dignitary visits.

Every SWAT - Training starts with a selection and vetting process of the new candidates, even though most police departments recruit their SWAT Team personnel out of there own ranks.

Candidates have to be in top physical as well as mental shape and capable of performing well within a team under stressful and risky conditions.

After the selection phase, the rigorous training program starts and it can range from a few weeks to six month and more (differing from one county, state or country).

SWAT - Training programs include basic and advanced individual training (developing physical strength and stamina, hand to hand combat, shooting skills, usage of highly specialized equipment and tactical behavior) and team exercises (that range from basic teams of 4 to full scale exercises involving the entire unit).

After the end of the first part (individual as well as team work) the specialists training phase kicks in. throughout this phase participant train in the various disciplines required to carry out SWAT missions, such as: Break-in team, climbers (also called vertical assault or "Monkey" team), snipers, K-9 handlers, paramedics, negotiators etc. At the end of this phase the trainers usually decide what position each training absorbent will take once incorporated in the operational unit.

So as one can see SWAT – Training, when conducted correctly, is a highly complex, rigorous and specialized training with the objective to prepare future SWAT - Team members for the risky and complicated endeavors they might face in order to save lives and not get hurt in the process.