Police Magazine

Robert O'Brien

SWAT Sergeant (Ret.)

A member of the TREXPO Advisory Board, Sgt. Robert "Bob" O'Brien Cleveland SWAT Ret. is the founder of the R.J. O'Brien Group Ltd., a law enforcement training and consulting service that advises and trains a number of local, state, and federal SWAT teams. O'Brien co-founded Cleveland's full-time SWAT team, and he served with that unit for 25 years. He is a former consultant to the National Tactical Officers Association and a former vice president of the Ohio Tactical Officers Association.

Articles•by Robert O'Brien•March 1, 2009

Standardizing SWAT

Last year—40 years after the creation of SWAT teams—the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) established the first-ever national SWAT standards. That's something that many SWAT practitioners and observers consider long overdue.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•February 26, 2009

SWAT Raids and Searches Part Five: The Hit

Dynamic entries depend on “surprise, shock, and speed” and you go to the suspects. With deliberate entries like “surround and callout” the suspects come to you. Knock and announce requirements vary for each jurisdiction and must be followed.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•February 18, 2009

SWAT Raids and Searches Part Three: Staging and Target Approaches

Knowing the route is critical. Some years ago I participated in a major raid where the lead vehicle had trouble finding the target because they’d never seen it, and darkness obscured the address.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•February 18, 2009

SWAT Raids and Searches Part Four: Containment and Cover

Remember Murphy's Law. Unexpected obstacles, dogs, darkness, etc., can throw off even the best-laid plans. Effective perimeters don't happen by accident. They require tactics, planning, and precision coordination.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•February 4, 2009

SWAT Raids and Searches—Part One

It could be said that a raid is a raid and a search is a search. However, that would be entirely wrong. The raid and search techniques and tactics of patrol officers differ from those of detectives. And the techniques and tactics of SWAT raids and searches are substantially different from those of both patrol officers and detectives.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•February 4, 2009

SWAT Raids and Searches Part Two: Search and Raid Preparations

Preparation for searches and raids starts long before SWAT is ever requested. It begins with deciding which warrants service SWAT will do. Some teams handle all of their agency’s raids, while others only handle the highest risk. My guess is that the majority of SWAT teams fall somewhere in between.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•January 21, 2009

BART Police Shooting: Aftermath

In my last column, I also asked what the BART shooting had to do with SWAT. Given the events of this past week, the revised answer is "everything."

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•January 21, 2009

Riot Makers

Certain elements of society strive to strategically foment rebellion and undermine police tactics.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•January 7, 2009

Tragedy at Fruitvale Station

What I would ask of you is to watch the videos for yourself. It’s rare that we get to witness an event this significant as it happens and then follow it through to its conclusion. As you view the videos, try and put yourselves in the BART officer’s shoes because this type of incident could easily happen to any of us.

Inside the Badge •by Robert O'Brien•January 4, 2009

The Importance of SWAT Traditions

Traditions in SWAT can range from the elaborate and formal to the simple and informal, from awards banquets to preserving and enshrining the locker of a fallen comrade. Traditions are the heart and soul of all SWAT teams. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to establish traditions for your own team.

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