What are the requirements of trying to join a SWAT team on a police force?

Question

How long do you have to be in a department and what kind of college do you need for this?

Answer 1

Training
SWAT officers are selected from volunteers within their Police/Sheriff/Law Enforcement organization. Depending on the department's policy, Officers generally have to serve a minimum tenure within the department before being able to apply for a specialist section such as SWAT. This tenure requirement is based on the fact that SWAT officers are still law enforcement officers and must have a thorough knowledge of department policies and procedures.

SWAT applicants undergo rigorous selection and training, similar to the training some special operations units in the military receive. Applicants must pass stringent physical agility, written, oral, and psychological testing to ensure they are not only fit enough but also psychologically suited for tactical operations.

In addition, applicants must successfully pass a stringent background investigation and job performance review. Emphasis is placed on physical fitness so an officer will be able to withstand the rigors of tactical operations. After an officer has been selected, the potential member must undertake and pass numerous specialist courses that will make him/her a fully qualified SWAT operator. Officers are trained in marksmanship for the development of accurate shooting skills, although the use of firearms is considered a last resort in law enforcement. Other training that could be given to potential members includes training in explosives, sniper-training, first-aid, negotiation, handling K9 units, abseiling (rappelling) and roping techniques and the use of specialized weapons and equipment. They are also trained specifically in the handling and use of special ammunition such as bean bags, flash bang grenades, Tasers, and the use of crowd control methods and specialist less-than-lethal munitions. Of primary importance is close quarters defensive tactics training, as this will be the primary mission upon becoming a full-fledged SWAT officer.

Answer 2

Different police departments have different requirements. Many have a time requirement as an active police officer on their department before a candidate can be considered for SWAT.

Most major police departments have websites that describe the requirements for specialized units. Talking to police officers can also get you worlds of information.

Answer 3

It definetly depends on the specific departments requirements. For example, LAPD requires officers to have served at least 5 years in a "high speed" division (such as Rampart) before they are eligible to apply for the "Metro" division. Competition for SWAT team entrance is usually pretty tough. As mentioned in the answer above this, the officer applying for SWAT is highly scrutinized both in his work history as well as his background qualifications to include any military service or additional on-the-job training he/she might have received.

Answer 4

Requirements for SWAT vary from dept. to dept. but in general they require:

1) At least two to three years of exemplary service on the force.
2) Must be in tip top physical condition, far above the regular beat cop.

3) Must exhibit sound judgment.
4) Psychologically stability under high stress.
5) Must be willing to work longer and harder than reg. street cops.
You are subject to call at any time a situation demands it.

Answer 5

Number one you need to work for a police department as a police officer and I think your supervisor would be the one to answer that question.

Answer 6

good question