NCJ Number
60336
Date Published
1979
Length
146 pages
Annotation
GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING AND TRAINING SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS (SWAT) TEAMS ARE PRESENTED IN A MANUAL DIRECTED TO POLICE CHIEFS, SHERIFFS, AND MILITARY COMMANDERS.
Abstract
A SWAT TEAM IS A GROUP OF SELECTED POLICE OFFICERS TRAINED TO HANDLE CERTAIN CRISIS SITUATIONS (E.G., SNIPERS, BARRICADED SUBJECTS, HOSTAGE SITUATIONS, 'HEAVY' ARRESTS) BEYOND THE CAPACITY OF REGULAR POLICE UNITS. THIS MANUAL COVERS ALL FACETS OF ORGANIZING, SELECTING, AND TRAINING SWAT TEAMS, AS WELL AS TACTICS EMPLOYED BY THE TEAMS. THE FIRST SECTION DEALS WITH THE SELECTION OF TEAM MEMBERS, SWAT TEAM EQUIPMENT, AND TRAINING. THE PRINCIPLES OF SMALL-UNIT LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATIONS ARE DISCUSSED, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO DESIRABLE CHARACTER TRAITS IN LEADERS. CHAPTERS ON TACTICS COVER THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF MOVEMENT TO AN OBJECTIVE--IN DEVELOPED AREAS OR FORESTS, DAY OR NIGHT, COVERED OR CONCEALED, AND UNDER FIRE. SPECIAL MOVEMENT SITUATIONS--COUNTERING AMBUSHES, CLEARING DANGER AREAS, JUMPING OUT OF HELICOPTERS, CLEARING HOUSES AND BUILDINGS, ENTERING ROOMS--ARE EXAMINED IN DETAIL, AS ARE PROCEDURES AT THE ON-SCENE ASSEMBLY AREA, TACTICS FOR NEUTRALIZING SNIPERS AND FREEING HOSTAGES (FROM ROOMS, CARS, AND AIRPLANES), AND SWAT TEAM POLITICS. DRAWINGS ILLUSTRATE THE TEXT. A SUGGESTED READING LIST IS PROVIDED.