Swat 2019
Swat 2019
Swat 2019
MISSIO
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PEACE OF
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S.W.A.T.
Operational Guidelines and Standardized Training Recommendations
© 2019 California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)
Published July 2005
Revised August 2006, September 2019
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form or
by any means electronic or mechanical or by any information storage and retrieval system now
known or hereafter invented, without prior written permission of the California Commission on
Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), with the following exception:
California law enforcement agencies in the POST peace officer program and POST-certified
training presenters are hereby given permission by POST to reproduce any or all of the contents
of this manual for internal use within their agency/school.
All other individuals, private businesses and corporations, public and private agencies and
colleges, professional associations, and non-POST law enforcement agencies in-state or out-of-
state, may print or download this publication for non-commercial use.
Infringement of the copyright protection law and the provisions expressed here and on the POST
website under Copyright/Trademark Protection will be pursued in a court of law. Questions
about copyright protection of this publication and exceptions may be directed to Publications
Manager.
POST Mission Statement
The mission of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards
MIS
and Training is to continually S I O the professionalism of
enhance
OM N
C
California law enforcement in serving its communities
AININ G
PEACE OF
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ST S
ANDARD
POST COMMISSIONERS
CHAIR
Joyce Dudley
District Attorney, Santa Barbara County
VICE CHAIR
Rick Braziel
Educator, Humboldt State University
Xavier Becerra
Attorney General, Department of Justice
Alan Barcelona
Special Agent, Department of Justice
Thomas Chaplin
Chief, Walnut Creek Police Department
Barry Donelan
Sergeant, Oakland Police Department
Robert T. Doyle
Sheriff, Marin County
Geoff Long
Public Member
John McMahon
Sheriff, San Bernardino County
Jethroe Moore
Public Member
James O’Rourke
Sergeant, California Highway Patrol
Batine Ramirez
Sergeant, Placer County Sheriff’s Department
Laurie Smith
Sheriff, Santa Clara County
Walt Vasquez
Chief, La Mesa Police Department
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
POST would like to extend its gratitude to the subject matter experts who worked with POST
staff to develop and update these guidelines.
POST would also like to express its thanks to the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA)
for permitting POST to adapt their glossary of terms for use in this document.
FOREWORD
Penal Code Section 13514.1 directs the Commission to develop and disseminate
guidelines and standardized training recommendations for law enforcement
officers, supervisors, and administrators, who are assigned to perform, supervise,
or manage Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) operations.
The guidelines and recommendations contained within this document represent
the best thinking of contemporary law enforcement practitioners and serve as
a resource for agencies and training presenters. They are intended to provide
guidance in the formation, oversight, operation, and training of SWAT teams.
While these guidelines encourage standardization, they are deliberately general in
construct to accommodate individual agencies’ policies regarding the operational
deployment of SWAT teams.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
POST Mission Statement....................................................................................................................... 1
POST Commissioners ........................................................................................................................... 2
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................ 3
Foreword ................................................................................................................................................ 4
1. Definition of SWAT ............................................................................................................................7
2. SWAT Team Components ..................................................................................................................9
3. Policy Considerations ....................................................................................................................... 11
4. Threat Assessment ............................................................................................................................ 13
5. Planning ............................................................................................................................................. 15
6. Practical Issues .................................................................................................................................. 17
7. Uniforms, Equipment, and Firearms .............................................................................................. 19
8. Personnel Selection, Physical Fitness, and Core Competencies ................................................... 21
9. Training..............................................................................................................................................23
10. Multi-Jurisdictional SWAT Operations .......................................................................................... 27
11. After-Action Evaluation ................................................................................................................... 29
12. SWAT K9 Teams................................................................................................................................ 31
13. Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) ..................................................................................................... 33
14. Precision Rifle/Observer Teams ...................................................................................................... 35
15. Explosive Ordinance Details (EOD) ............................................................................................... 37
16. SWAT CBRNE Operations............................................................................................................... 39
17. SWAT Airborne Operations ............................................................................................................ 41
18. SWAT Waterborne Operations ........................................................................................................ 43
19. Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) .............................................................................. 45
20. Tactical Dispatch ............................................................................................................................... 47
APPENDICES
A. Threat Assessment Template ............................................................................................................ 49
B. SWAT Core Competencies ............................................................................................................... 53
C. Specialized Functions and Supporting Resources ........................................................................... 56
D. Basic SWAT Course Topics .............................................................................................................. 57
E. SWAT Team Leader/Commanders’ Course Topics ......................................................................... 61
F. Core Competencies for SWAT K-9 Teams ....................................................................................... 64
G. Crisis Negotiations Core Competencies........................................................................................... 65
H. Basic Crisis Negotiator Course Recommended Course Topics ....................................................... 67
I. Precision Rifle/Observer Team Course Topic Recommendations .................................................. 70
J. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operator Core Competencies ................................................ 72
K. Tactical Waterborne Core Competencies ........................................................................................ 74
L. Glossary............................................................................................................................................. 75
M. Resources ........................................................................................................................................... 81
1
Definition of SWAT
A Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team is a designated group of law enforcement officers who
are selected, trained, and equipped to work as a coordinated team in an attempt to resolve incidents
that may exceed the capabilities of first responders or investigative units.
Philosophy of SWAT - The mission of SWAT is to save lives. The primary focus of SWAT is to provide
tactical solutions that increases the likelihood of de-escalation and safe resolution of high-risk
incidents.
This focus differentiates SWAT teams from specialized units whose assignment requires them to
conduct apprehensions, to serve search warrants, to conduct gang enforcement, or other dangerous
tasks beyond the traditional assignments associated with line-level officers. Nothing in these
guidelines is intended to preclude agencies from utilizing these types of units.
1- DEFINITION OF SWAT 7
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2
SWAT Team Components
SWAT teams should develop resources to perform the basic operational functions of:
• Command and control
• Containment
• Entry/Apprehension/Rescue
• Precision Rifle/Observer
Command and Control Activities
• Planning, organizing, staffing, and directing the overall SWAT operation, including:
▷ Establishing Incident and Tactical Command
▷ Establishing and relaying the operational goals
▷ Continually assessing the situation as it develops and determining the appropriateness of
the planned course of action
• Coordination with support resources such as CNT, EOD, UAS, and K-9
• Coordination with allied agencies
• Mission documentation
• Communications
• Medical support
3 - POLICY CONSIDERATIONS 11
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4
Threat Assessment
Agencies should have a threat assessment process to research and evaluate risks associated with pre-
planned or spontaneous events. The purpose of a threat assessment is to determine when a SWAT
deployment would be beneficial to the safety of those involved and reasonable for the circumstances.
The use of a standardized threat assessment process helps ensure that decisions to deploy SWAT
are made using objective, defensible, and clearly articulated criteria. Threat assessments should be
documented and maintained.
The threat assessment should be verified, to the extent possible, and include objective factors such as:
• Nature of the crime
• Location considerations
• Suspect considerations
• Weapons
• Contributing known factors
• Any other reason justifying the use of a SWAT team
See Appendix A for a Threat Assessment Template
4 - THREAT ASSESSMENT 13
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5
Planning
SWAT team policies and training should support planning for spontaneous, rapidly evolving, and
planned events.
• All SWAT team members should understand operational and tactical planning as well as its
potential impact on the agency and the community.
• Redundancy in the knowledge of planning procedures for SWAT team members improves
performance in rapidly developing scenarios.
SWAT teams should designate personnel responsible for developing an operational and tactical plan
prior to and during SWAT operations. All operational and tactical plans should be documented and
approved.
SWAT teams should incorporate emergency medical contingencies as part of the SWAT operational
plan.
• Where resources allow, consideration should be given to integrating Tactical Emergency
Medical Support (TEMS) personnel within the structure of the SWAT team.
See POST publication Tactical Medicine Operational Programs and Standardized Training
Recommendations and EMSA publication California Tactical Casualty Care Training Guidelines
for further information. (Links to these documents may be found in Appendix M – Resources)
Mission briefings should be conducted prior to an operation, unless circumstances require immediate
deployment. These briefings should include the operational objective, the overall tactical plan, the
role of each team member, and reasonably expected contingencies.
5 - PLANNING 15
• When applicable, briefings should include involved specialized units and supporting resources.
• Agencies should consider including their policies on use of force, deadly force, and pursuits in
any operational outline.
SWAT teams that anticipate augmentation by specialized units and supporting resources should
incorporate the use of those units/resources into their planning and training.
Refer to sections 12 through 20 for further guidelines on
Specialized Functions and Supporting Resources.
6 - PRACTICAL ISSUES 17
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Uniforms, Equipment, and Firearms
SWAT teams should wear standardized uniforms that identify team members as law enforcement
officers. Consideration should be given to selecting uniforms specifically designed to meet the
demands inherent in SWAT operations.
• It is recognized that certain tactical conditions may require covert movement. Attire may be
selected appropriate to the specific mission.
SWAT teams should be adequately equipped to meet the specific mission identified by the agency.
This includes essential safety equipment such as helmets, vests, shields, rifles, and less-lethal
munitions.
Weapons, ammunition, and equipment used by SWAT, specialized units, and supporting resources
should be agency-issued or approved, including any modifications, additions, or attachments.
9 – TRAINING 23
• Training may be considered equivalent when the hours, topics, and content meets or exceeds
POST’s standardized training recommendations.
• Agencies should consider the role in which they assign SWAT members who have not yet
completed a basic SWAT course or its equivalent.
Appendix D provides training recommendations for the POST Basic SWAT Course.
Appropriate training should be provided for all specialized SWAT functions and other supporting
resources, prior to full deployment.
Recurrent Training
SWAT core competencies are perishable. All SWAT team members should participate in documented
monthly training to maintain individual and team core competencies as determined by the type
and extent of SWAT missions and operations performed. Documentation should include a roster of
participants, topics covered, and lessons learned.
Agencies should incorporate core competency proficiency assessments as part of recurrent training
and establish policies for the failure of SWAT personnel to maintain proficiencies.
Ongoing training in the respective core competencies should be provided for all specialized SWAT
functions and supporting resources.
SWAT core competencies fall within three general categories:
• Weapons, munitions, and equipment
• Individual and team tactics
• Planning and decision-making
See Appendix B for an expanded list of SWAT Core Competencies.
SWAT teams, specialized SWAT functions, and supporting resources should all participate in
scenario-based training as part of their recurrent training requirements.
• Scenario-based training that simulates the tactical environment is an established method of
improving performance during an actual deployment as well as improving decision-making
skills.
• Scenarios should include the use of de-escalation and disengagement tactics.
Agencies are encouraged to provide wellness training and resources to support the physical and
emotional health of SWAT team members.
Update and Refresher Training
SWAT team operators, supervisors, and managers who provide tactical oversight should attend
a minimum 24 hours of POST-certified SWAT update or refresher training, or its equivalent (as
determined by the agency), every 24 months.
• SWAT personnel are encouraged to attend Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) to enhance their
ability to de-escalate a situation.
1- DEFINITION OF SWAT 25
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10
Multi-Jurisdictional SWAT Operations
SWAT teams, including relevant specialized units and supporting resources, should develop
protocols, agreements, and working relationships to support multi-jurisdictional or regional
responses.
Multi-agency and multi-disciplinary joint training exercises are strongly encouraged in order to
support operational integration.
Some agencies may choose to consolidate resources into a regional SWAT team concept.
11 - AFTER-ACTION EVALUATION 29
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12
SWAT K-9 Teams
A SWAT K-9 team consists of a handler and canine who are specifically selected, trained, and
equipped to work in conjunction with SWAT /tactical teams to assist in tactical operations.
Formation and Policy Considerations
• Agencies should establish policies and procedures for the selection of handlers and canines
used as part of a SWAT K-9 team.
▷ Not all police canines are suitable for SWAT operations.
• Agencies should establish policies and procedures for the deployment of SWAT K-9 teams.
▷ A SWAT K-9 team’s suitability for deployment should be evaluated on an ongoing basis.
• SWAT K-9 teams should participate in mission briefings prior to a tactical operation, and after-
action evaluations and team debriefings.
Training
• The K-9 handler and canine should participate in a SWAT orientation program that emphasizes
basic SWAT procedures, practices, and equipment prior to deployment.
• The SWAT K-9 team should attend a SWAT and K-9 integration training course.
• Agencies may want to consider the value in having their SWAT K-9 handlers attend a basic
SWAT school.
• Agencies should establish SWAT K-9 core competencies.
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APPENDIX A
Threat Assessment Template
The below threat assessment template is offered as a guide to assist agencies in their SWAT team
deployment decision making. The use of a threat assessment template allows for consistency in decision
making, as well as allowing the supporting facts to be documented and retrievable when needed for
debriefings, legal proceedings or other purposes. A threat assessment is separate from and should
precede the development of an operational plan.
Agencies may use the below criteria formatted in either a “point-based” or “yes/no” system.
Threat Assessment Template
This threat assessment evaluates the risks associated with pre-planned or spontaneous events to
determine the appropriate law enforcement response and resources necessary, including the use of
SWAT. The primary purpose of a threat assessment is to determine when a SWAT deployment would
be beneficial to the safety of those involved and reasonable for the circumstances.
Using a threat assessment ensures that decisions on whether to deploy SWAT are made using
objective, defensible, and clearly articulated criteria. The facts which support a decision as to whether
to respond, when to respond, and which deployment strategies to utilize should answer three
primary questions.
• Why is this operation necessary?
• Why is it necessary to conduct the operation at the proposed time and place?
• Why are these tactics being used?
It is recognized that each situation is unique, and this threat assessment may not completely apply
to every circumstance. Operational decision-making is ultimately the responsibility of the on-scene
supervisor, watch commander, or incident commander.
Operational Objective
A threat assessment should begin with a clearly stated operational objective.
Suspect(s)
• Has the suspect made statements of resistance or violence?
• Is there specific or articulable information that the suspect(s) is armed? If yes, what type of
weapon?
• Is there specific or articulable information that the suspect(s) is associated with a criminal
organization (gang, cartel, extremist, etc.), which is known or suspected of violent criminal
activity?
• Does the suspect(s) have a criminal history involving violence? (Felony assault, robbery,
mayhem, etc.)
• Does the suspect(s) have a criminal history involving weapons? If yes, what type?
• Does the suspect(s) have a history of assault on a peace officer?
APPENDIX L – GLOSSARY 75
Contain and Call Out - A technique associated with a tactical element surrounding and establishing
containment of an incident location before contact with occupants to facilitate a subsequent callout
of those occupants in a controlled manner to a secured and safe area. Also known as “Surround and
Call Out.”
Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) - Responsible for developing actionable intelligence regarding any
negotiations/tactical problem, contribute to a threat assessment, open lines of communication with a
suspect, and use active listening and bargaining techniques to negotiate a surrender. Also known as a
Hostage Negotiation Team.
Diversion - A physical or psychological tactic used to draw a suspect away from the principal point
of contact, used to draw attention away from the primary action.
Dynamic Tactics - Tactics comprised of a group of techniques that are characterized by continuous
productive activity and not specifically by the speed of movement.
Emergency Entry/Rescue - Making an emergency entry into a location with little or no intelligence
when there is an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to civilians or law enforcement
personnel.
Entry - Any procedure to gain entrance to any tactical threat environment, such as structures,
conveyances, or property.
Explosive Breaching - Use of explosives to breach entry/access points and porting. The precise
application of measured amounts of explosive compounds to affect an opening.
Flash Sound Diversionary Device (FSDD) - A device creating a bright flash and loud report
designed to temporarily divert the attention of persons in the immediate vicinity, giving tactical
teams a window of opportunity to exploit to their advantage. May also be referred to as a Noise Flash
Diversionary Device (NFDD).
Hard Target Weapon System - A weapon system, which due to its unique kinetic energy and
terminal penetration qualities, is capable of defeating armored locations and/or vehicles that pose a
threat to public safety.
High-Risk Apprehension - The search for or arrest of a suspect in any environment that is
characterized by hazards and risks to such a degree that it exceeds the capabilities of the normal
patrol and investigative functions.
High-Risk Warrant - A search or arrest warrant characterized by hazards and risks to such a degree
that service of the warrant exceeds the capabilities of the normal patrol and investigative functions.
Hostage - A person held by force or fear by a hostage taker who intends to harm the person or use
them as security so that specified terms of an ultimatum are met.
Hostage Rescue - Deployment of a tactical team in defense of life, to save and rescue hostages.
Improvised Explosive Device (IED) - A homemade explosive device.
Immediate Reaction Team - A team prepared to respond to unplanned events at the crisis site. This
team may also be tasked with arrest team responsibilities based upon personnel available.
APPENDIX L – GLOSSARY 77
Performance Standards - Levels of performance required for planning and carrying out missions
or tasks, used to evaluate individual and team performance, serve as a guide for evaluating a
training session and as a basis for debriefing an operation.
Personal Protection Detail - Perform duties associated with protecting dignitaries, VIP’s,
witnesses, or other protectees. Also known as Executive or Dignitary Protection.
Port and Cover - Breaching and/or removal of all obstructions or barriers within a window,
door, wall or similar opening, to allow operators to enter the location, deploy diversionary devices
and safely observe and cover a room’s interior and any occupants from outside the location after
porting.
Precision Rifle - A highly-trained operator whose missions include intelligence gathering,
observation and the capability of delivering precision fire with a rifle. An operator with precision
rifle capability is historically referred to as a sniper and commonly deployed with an observer as a
Precision Rifle team.
Precision Rifle-Initiated Takedown - The tactic of initiating a coordinated approach on a
building or vehicle immediately after the precision rifle operator takes a dedicated pre-planned or
spontaneous precision shot.
Rapid Deployment - The immediate deployment of law enforcement resources to life- threatening
situations where the delay in such deployment could result in death and/or great bodily harm to
persons.
Reactionary Authority - Unless otherwise specified during a SWAT mission, SWAT officers
should react to deadly threats according to their agency policy governing the use of force. Officers
are cautioned that the use of the sound tactical judgment is to be utilized when reacting to deadly
threats, and the safety of innocent victims is paramount.
Ruse - A psychological tactic, which is intended to distract or deceive someone to gain a tactical
advantage.
Safety Priorities - A decision-making process which provides the framework for making tactically
sound decisions, utilizing objective criteria based on an individual’s current or likely risk of
suffering serious bodily injury or death and their direct ability to remove themselves from that
danger. Those exposed to the greatest potential of injury with the least ability to escape the situation
are placed at the top of the priorities, (i.e. a hostage is at grave danger of injury when held against
his or her will and has little ability to control the situation). On the other end of the continuum
is the suspect, who has little threat of injury and absolute control over the situation. The safety
priorities value all life and their sole intent is to assist law enforcement in making tactical decisions
to assist in saving lives.
Scouting - The systematic observation and documentation of the physical characteristics of an
objective and the surrounding area. Also known as Reconnaissance.
Slow and Deliberate - Movement technique characterized by stealth and without regard for time.
SMEAC - Acronym used for operational planning: Situation, Mission, Execution, Administration/
Logistics, and Command/Signal.
APPENDIX L – GLOSSARY 79
Vehicle Assault/Takedown - Perform duties associated with approaching an armed suspect
contained within a stationary vehicle. Also known as “High-Risk Vehicle Takedown.”
Warrant Service - Performing or carrying out an arrest or search warrant on a location.
Window of Opportunity - A set of favorable circumstances that offer an advantage during a tactical
operation, if appropriately and promptly exploited.
WEBSITES
California Association of Tactical Officers (CATO)
https://catonews.org/ *Membership required to access portions of website
California Association of Hostage Negotiators (CAHN)
https://cahn.us/default.aspx/MenuItemID/186/MenuGroup/_Home.htm
National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA)
https://www.ntoa.org/ *Membership required to access portions of website
National Council of Negotiations Associations
https://ncna.us/default.aspx?
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (FEMA) Counterterrorism First Responder Training -
Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center at New Mexico Tech
http://www.emrtc.nmt.edu/training/
APPENDIX M – RESOURCES 81