How Do You Join Special Weapons & Tactics?
Special Weapons and Tactics teams, or SWAT teams, are specially selected, trained and equipped law enforcement personnel deployed to resolve incidents of high risk and difficulty, such as hostage situations, barricaded suspects and the apprehension of heavily armed criminals. SWAT team members are selected from among the most elite of a police department’s officers, receive extensive training and are outfitted with special tools and weapons, such as armored cars, stun grenades, sub machine guns, night vision goggles and body armor. Because of the danger and responsibility inherent in their work, the process for becoming a SWAT team member is arduous. Pay your dues. Most police departments require that an officer serve a certain number of years on the force before becoming eligible to join SWAT, often between three and five. Rookies are generally forbidden from applying because they do not have sufficient experience to be an asset to the team. Stay in shape. SWAT work is often physicall
