NCJ Number
80238
Journal
Police Product News Volume: 5 Issue: 12 Dated: (December 1981) Pages: 28-33
Date Published
1981
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes a special weapons and tactics (SWAT) training program sponsored by the Houston Police Department (Texas) in cooperation with the Texas Air National Guard which uses an inactive Air Force base to provide high quality, practical training to local law enforcement agencies at low cost.
Abstract
Ellington Air Force Base on the south side of Houston serves as the campus for the Houston Police Department's 5-day SWAT basic training course which is offered free of charge to other law enforcement agencies and Air Guard security police as well as new Houston SWAT teams. When the Air Force contingent left the base in 1976, responsibility for maintenance was given to the local Air Guard unit which uses only a small portion of the facility. A variety of situations that SWAT teams might encounter can be created in the base's abandoned streets and buildings which are in a secure location away from residential areas. Expanding the program to include other law enforcement units who would be expected to back up the Houston police in an emergency situation cost virtually nothing. The program emphasizes physical conditioning, and officers run at least 6 miles each day. The first day includes lectures on the history of SWAT operations, press relations, SWAT theory, first aid, and instruction in negotiating the safe release of hostages and deescalating highly emotional situations. About two-thirds of the program consists of field activities, especially self-defense. Areas covered include establishing a perimeter, communications, use of controlled firepower, camouflage, command post operations, and reconnaissance. Weaponry also receives considerable attention. Students practice rappelling off a 6-story tower. On the final day, SWAT teams respond to a mock terrorist situation involving unknown numbers of hostages and weapons. Photographs are provided.