NCJ Number
182251
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2000 Pages: 30-32
Editor(s)
Ronnie Paynter
Date Published
2000
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Situations faced by police special weapons and tactical (SWAT) units are changing and are presenting more challenges to police officers as the face of crime changes.
Abstract
SWAT units must be prepared psychologically to deal with the increased number of women involved in drugs and violent crimes. In addition, many SWAT units are getting additional training to prepare them for school violence. In order to meet new challenges, personnel recruited for SWAT teams are carefully screened with respect to physical and psychological qualifications. Once a police officer is hired for a SWAT unit, training continues to be important, and training should be tailored to the special needs of the particular jurisdiction. SWAT unit operations in Baltimore, Maryland, are described. The importance of building an effective SWAT unit and developing a positive image of SWAT units with the media is emphasized. 4 photographs