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My 14yr old wants to become a Swat team member.. I want to hear from anyone with personal expierence what they think. I also want to know if I am correct in saying, that in order to become a SWAT member you have to be a street officer for some amount of years before joining the SWAT, is that true?

2007-03-29 06:01:53 · 6 answers · asked by sara w 2 in Politics & Government Law Enforcement & Police

6 answers

Before i was on the swat team I worked in narcotics for 3 years, before that i was a traffic officer for 5 where i went to school part time and earned a degree in sociology. I was in the Army for 6 years before that as an RANGER infantryman My department invented the SWAT team, people from all over the world come to my department for pointers. SWAT is not all guns and entries. We also do investigations and coordinate with various other state and federal agencies. SWAT is thinking man's law enforcement. You have to maintain discipline and first and foremost, YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF ALL LIFE! When we are not on call ups we are training. Special Weapons and Tactics focuses very high on the tactics. Before i joined D Platoon they went through every portion of my service to the department. We are not loner tough guys, we work as one. I full fill the job of scout, i am armed with a .45 and a 180 degree mirror, the rear guard behind me with a shotgun, sierra 1 our sniper, the element lead and other assaulters all require me to do my job as i need of them. Tell your son to study hard and stay in shape, keep out of trouble, get involved as a police explorer, get on a department and do a good job. Be an inspiration to others and I would welcome him to my element.

2007-03-29 07:49:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

I can't tell you about the daily life of an operator in a swat or other emergency response team, but I can definitely tell you it's nothing like the movies. First off, you're correct, he would have to spend some time working a beat. The amount of time depends on the department, but it's usually a minimum of two years before you can be transferred to one of the specialized units. He might have to pass another background investigation and he better be in great shape. Secondly, the swat guys do get all that fancy gear and get to run around dressed like ninjas, but they mainly just use it to train. Again, this will depend on the department and city, but a swat team might only be called out a few times a year. This would be for such things as a barricaded suspect, hostage situation, riot control, and high risk warrant notices. Even if they do get called out, the patrol units already on scene may have cleared the call before swat shows up. I have done some cqb training (ask your son he'll know what it means) with them and its a lot of fun but your son would get much more experience staying as a beat cop or going to a narcotics or gang unit. On the flip side, staying in patrol means he won't get to rappel from helicopters. That's just my opinion though.

2007-03-29 13:40:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Most departmenst do have a minimum number of years you have to be on the job before you can become a member of the SWAT team. Most departments also require that you are a better than average shooter and are in better than average physical condition. Those standards vary, usually by the size of the department. Those jobs are more competitive in bigger agencies and the standards are higher making it more difficult to become a SWAT officer.

2007-03-29 15:14:00 · answer #3 · answered by Keith 5 · 0 0

Thats true. You just don't 'land" in a tactical unit anymore than start out as a detective. A tactical team is a crummy job. They aren't there at a scene for no reason. Its usually because some type of drastic method needs to be employed to reach the goal. As you know, they're highly charged situations that usually involve armed suspects, hostages or some other type of life threatening situation. Its bad enough being a street cops and having you nerves on edge at times versus having your nerves on edge in really hot situations.
There isn't really any glory in this. you shoot and kill someone and you'll be second guessed by everyone from the Chief on down to the paperboy. Plus...for the most part people who are shot don't clutch their chest...mumble "Ya got me" and keel over. Not many die quickly and there's an awful lot of blood, screaming and commotion.
Friggin' Hollywood. Always glamourizing stuff that isn't glamourous at all.

2007-03-29 14:13:23 · answer #4 · answered by Quasimodo 7 · 0 0

Speaking from law enforcement experience, I can say that you are correct in that you must become a police officer first and then have additional training and experience before becoming a SWAT team member. SWAT stands for Special Weapons and Tactics. They are called in to handle situations that regular officers aren't trained or equipped to handle. Good luck to your 14 year old! I started my career with military law enforcement and went to college from there.

2007-03-29 13:16:22 · answer #5 · answered by barneyfifeny 1 · 2 0

The respondant above has most of the information correct. There isn't a specific number of years needed, but rather experience and training. I can guarantee you that a person with past military training in law enforcement, the various weapons used, having repelling experience, etc., is more valuable than having say 10 years on the force. One of the key elements is a good education and be in top physical shape.

2007-03-29 13:20:13 · answer #6 · answered by auditor4u2007 5 · 2 0

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