DHS Authorizes First National Certification of a SWAT Training Center

The Government Training Institute in Boise, Idaho, is the first nationally certified SWAT team training system in the United States. This course is now pre-approved to receive U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant funds, allowing state and local law enforcement agencies to attend the training using DHS grant monies to pay for tuition, overtime, meals, lodging, and associated backfill costs.

Of the six programs making up the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), agencies can utilize funds from the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP), and Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI).

The Type III SWAT designation was created to standardize part-time team SWAT training throughout the United States and to define for incident commanders asset capabilities and current resources available during a crisis. This program is the first model program for nationwide SWAT team classifications and gives team commanders training programs and asset requirements to be considered a Type III Category SWAT team. Individual SWAT operators who complete this course will be certified by a national standard for operating on a Type III SWAT team.

The Type III SWAT Operator’s Course covers 47 separate modules in 15 days. Each student receives an 800-page training manual, a student progress book that includes copies of all of the student’s written exams, practical application examinations, and instruction in the latest technologies in SWAT application.

For more information visit www.gtitraining.org.