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As 2011 comes to a close, this would be a good time to reflect on SWAT's past, present and future (apologies to Charles Dickens). While we can't accurately predict the future, we can trace the evolution of tactical units from yesteryear, understand today's challenged, and perhaps glimpse tomorrow's trend.
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To understand the complexities of mounting a take-down operation such as rescuing an undercover agent from a secure location under the control of armed violators, undercover agents must be trained as a SWAT operator. There's no in-between here.
Read More →In an earlier blog post, we asked you to consider a scenario and decide whether to forcibly enter a residence to remove a high-risk suspect. Here's how the scenario played out and what lessons can be learned.
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Sports violence has even been identified by some as a medical disorder called Intermittent Explosive Disorder—"the other IED." It may be fueled by unusually high amounts of testosterone and caused by "idiots acting like fools."
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Just when we might think all the innovative SWAT tactics have already been tried, a SWAT team comes up with an imaginative, simple and exceptionally effective tactic. It comes under the heading of "why didn't someone else think of this before?"
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We have the signed no-knock. Do we serve it by initiating a dynamic entry? Or do we explore other options to take the suspect into custody and secure the evidence?
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The Pima County (Ariz.) Sheriff's Department's May 5 SWAT raid resulted in the death of a Marine at home in front of his family. This tragedy has exploded into one of the most criticized, controversial SWAT incidents in memory.
Read More →The Osama bin Laden raid ranks among the most significant raids in modern military history. History is replete with similar military raids — some have been successful, others less so — that reinforce the reality that the vast majority of such operations are rarely ever known outside a circle of the select few on a need-to-know basis.
Read More →Operational friendly fire erupts suddenly without warning, and once bullets start flying, it's too late. In the old days, before we were trained with "finger OFF the trigger" unless you're shooting, virtually all LEOs had their finger ON the trigger when they had their guns out.
Read More →He responded "as is" in his gym shorts. Yet there was absolutely no question in anyone's mind that he was "SWAT." That's because he had the presence of mind to don his tactical vest and helmet, which made him instantly recognizable as SWAT.
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