Dont light up your teammates. Decisiveness: You should be able to make prompt, appropriate decisions under non-stressful environments as well as tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving situations. Leadership is nebulous and there are no set rules as to how to develop leader/follower relationships in every situation. Becoming a good SWAT operator doesnt happen overnight, it takes years of training and operational encounters to become a proficient and reliable member of the team. Look at supervisor evaluations and the reputation the candidate has among peers. Naval officer and graduate of the FBI National Academy. Thanks! Leadership characteristics can be placed into two categories: inward focusing and outward focusing. Your email address will not be published. Tactical medicine is a specialized and highly discriminating endeavor that requires intensive training, discipline and a unique relationship with law enforcement. Listen intently, speak purposefully. Enter https://www.police1.com/ and click OK. Not so fast. Join the 125,000+ law enforcement professionals who receive the weekly Calibre newsletter filled with analysis of force encounters caught on video, training articles, product reviews, expert commentary and more. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu. Pride can be good and bad, competition can be good and bad, even communication can be good and bad. Yes, it came sharp, but it wont stay that way forever. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, I guaran-dayum-tee that there are a few people on this forum who have significant military resumes and major accomplishments, yet they feel no need to be part of SWAT for whatever reason. Officer 1 has a clean and pressed uniform with polished boots. 4. Your team will be at its best when balanced. This is not only sad, but in most cases where injuries were not the cause, completely preventable. Are they an instructor in any related area such as firearms, subject control, low light tactics, or use of force? In other words, the RCSD operator needs to look for a sub-calmness within the SNS zone and to expand his or her situational awareness outside of the narrow tunnel view. 15. Natural fears also factor into the RCSDs SRT assessment and training: Everything from determining if a potential operator has a fear of water, fire, tight spaces, or heights; all of which are interconnected in gauging someones physical courage. As Lt. Command (ret) Jocko Willink says, Discipline equals freedom.. Its truly a cultural thing.. We could teach them proper tactics and techniques This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. The officer in charge is the commander, and on most teams has the authority to make all decisions at the scene of incidents. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, Going to the range or gym together creates a bond. Tactical medics have the primary responsibility of providing medical care to the SWAT team, but their duties extend far beyond that task. 10. 14. Lexipol. Copyright 2023 . Endurance comes in handy when you have to hold aim on a suspect for a great length of time, carry a shield for an extended building search, or even hold a resistive suspects arm in position to handcuff. Obviously, this is not an all-inclusive list of characteristics that one should look for when considering whether or not an officer is ready for an assignment onto a tactical team, it is merely attributes that go into the overall character of the individual. Therefore, those interested in SWAT pursue being on the team because they believe in the mission. This pertains to aerobic, anaerobic, flexibility and coordination. A SWAT team can always deal with somebody in the house by themselves. Additional awards Lt. Marcou received were 15 departmental citations (his department's highest award), two Chief's Superior Achievement Awards and the Distinguished Service Medal for his response to an active shooter. There are former real operators among them. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, Wash. PD releases videos of suspect's ambush attack on officer, Prosecutor seeks joint trial for 7 deputies, 3 hospital workers charged in patient's death, D.C. police chief retires, takes up new job with FBI, Ill. officer charged with using excessive force on man strapped to ambulance gurney, Video: Ex-cop sentenced to 4 years in federal prison for ECD incident, 10 leadership lessons for LE from the military, Open the tools menu in your browser. Know your uniform. The issue should be addressed from a patrol level before you attempt integration with SWAT. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, Wash. PD releases videos of suspect's ambush attack on officer, Prosecutor seeks joint trial for 7 deputies, 3 hospital workers charged in patient's death, D.C. police chief retires, takes up new job with FBI, Ill. officer charged with using excessive force on man strapped to ambulance gurney, Video: Ex-cop sentenced to 4 years in federal prison for ECD incident, Providing superior weapons systems and tactics in dangerous situations, Rescue operations of injured citizens and officers, Resolving barricaded gunmen, hostage crisis, and suicidal subjects, Resolving high-risk situations with a minimum loss of life, injury, or property, Stabilizing dangerous situations dealing with violent criminals. The possibility of a suspect barricading exists on every callout. You've been successfully signed up for the Police1 SWAT. Marine Recon is arguably in the top five of all special operators capable of harassing an entire enemy battalion for long periods of time; tracking enemy units for larger American forces; or conducting well-orchestrated raids on high-valued targets. 19 members 1 Team Commander . For 3040 years of age, 100% is 1.82 miles. But that doesnt mean you have to have your hand on it every second. There are some professionals on those SWAT teams. 2.) All rights reserved. You were selected for a reason. Creative training scenarios for SRT operators are based on after-action reports, reviews and evaluations of best practices and mistakes made during ongoing SWAT operations and counterterrorist-unit missions worldwide. I never truly appreciated how much I knew about life until I began teaching life lessons to my own children. They should be in top physical condition and possess excellent tactical, physical and firearms skills. Its important to do three things before you implement physical testing: Here are eight exercises I used as part of my teams testing protocol. How? Helping out other officers and taking constructive criticism while working in uniform are good ways to help your chances of making SWAT. Honor: Demonstrate integrity and loyalty and hold the needs of the team higher than your own. All rights reserved. Setting your ego aside allows you to be open to other peoples ideas or methods that may be better than yours. In all training scenarios, surprise sub-situations are thrown in. If you bring a bad K9 team into your operation, they will perform badly. Know your weapon system. 6. The grenadiers strive to maintain the certifications required as an expert/trainer. 18. Mastery: Understanding, judgment, wisdom, knowledge and technical proficiency are essential to be a well-rounded operator. And many departments do an excellent job evaluating and selecting SWAT operators from a pool of candidates. 12. This article, originally published 5/06/14, has been updated. These guys are the gems in the crown of the United States Marine Corps. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). Being an SRT operator is a huge commitment in terms of hours and training and all the other variables associated with the mission.. Training has been conducted with other police SWAT teams, as well as U.S. Army Special Forces operators and U.S. Navy SEALs. Officer 2 is on the opposite end of the spectrum his uniform appears slovenly, there is dried lettuce in his mag pouches, his patrol car is dirty, and his paperwork is atrocious. The tests may include running, pushups, sit-ups, or obstacle courses. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). A SWAT operator is called in when situations present significant risks to police officers or to the public. Quoted: Quoted: Shave your head, put on a really tight black shirt, wear oakleys on your forehead and try to stare through everyone you meet. I am saying that all the great SWAT operators I knew were also successful at the other aspects of police work. A SWAT team that does not train together regularly will eventually become a team in name only. Is the applicant a team player who works well with others? Some of these items I have discussed are atypical of the normal law enforcement leadership principles. Whats about to come through that side door? We want to reprogram the body and the mind to better operate in conditions of extreme stress, said Pagano. It also propels a team member up a flight of steps in full gear. The old mentality of SWAT was the teams were manned by atypical people who were largely driven by the opportunity for direct action. For many, one is better than none, but a 100% rating is 14 pull-ups. Do they do what they should do when no one is looking, or do they cut corners? We discovered that its very difficulty (almost impossible?) The formal selection process is a great tool for determining who will make it on the team. Bruce Lee said, Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless and add what is specifically your own. Find what works for you and those you serve. Plan on being the target of many jokes and choose your rebuttals wisely. There are firearms qualifications to measure candidates marksmanship and safety and leadership-type exercises to evaluate candidates ability to work as a team, accept feedback, and provide feedback. SWAT applicants undergo a tough selection process and should attend rigorous training. The more excited you are, even if you must fake it, the more excited your subordinates will be. A SWAT member typically only has to travel a short distance to the target, usually from vehicle to the breach point (less 50 meters) and wear their kit for a time measured in hours. What makes a great SWAT operator? Lt. Dan Marcou Blue Knights The specialties of a modern SWAT team What makes a team great is not gadgets and equipment, but personnel and training Sep 17, 2019 SWAT has come a long way since the early years when teams consisted of a highly motivated group of volunteers wearing camo uniforms and tactical vests. The officers in a SWAT unit have undergone special training and have access to an arsenal of weaponry, armor and surveillance devices beyond standard-issue police gear. 7. This individual can handle everything from constructing the PowerPoint for the after-action briefing to the operation of any robot cameras. Copyright 2023 If filling coolers with ice for the team is your objective, complete it with the utmost enthusiasm and excellence. Get to know your team members and their families. Physical Conditioning: Most SWAT teams have a physical fitness test during the selection process. Police1 is revolutionizing the way the law enforcement community Discover LPR Technology that Goes Beyond a Basic Search. Competition serves not only to humble some, but it can also create drive. Are there any prior incidents of withholding information or lying to supervisors, or investigators? There is an adage that is still true today. Long gone are the bakery trucks. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. The counter-sniper/observer has exceptional skills to see without being seen and provide a protective overwatch for the team before, during and after the incident. That has changed. Do they display good moral aptitude? Be patient and your value will reveal itself. All rights reserved. SWAT officers train to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities and training of regular uniformed officers. These values are derived from ideals such as duty, hard work, dedication, all in pursuit of perfection. We can teach a guy to shoot and we can enhance his physical fitness to be able to operate in SNS, said Cowan. Good decision-making thus be-comes the foundation for most tactical skill sets that are learned after selection to . Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). We could teach someone to shoot fast and accurately There comes a time when suspects need to be expertly and immediately controlled. good luck. Strong relationships create trust up and down the chain of command. 8 steps to operating excellence The word "operator" is often used to describe someone who works on the business day-to-day (as opposed to, say, an "investor"). It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide. Some of the factors that I personally considered in addition to the four components during the selection process included: When you consider all that has been mentioned, these factors and components can be found in many senior patrol officers that arent a part of SWAT. [Publishers Note:This article was originally published in the Winter 2011 issue of the National Tactical Officers Associations professional journal, The Tactical Edge, and is reprinted with permission. Weather or climate may be a factor. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu. 3. Depending on the lay of the land in your jurisdiction, you may have to add these capabilities. And just because you may have already made the team, that doesn't mean you can let your physical fitness diminish; this puts yourself and the rest of your colleaguesat risk. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). All rights reserved. SWAT officers train to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities and training of regular uniformed officers. . All rights reserved. Bryan Peterson oversees more than 60 people combined on Metro's SWAT, or Special Weapons and Tactics Bureau, and K-9 team. The squads and fire teams will intermix on operations but maintaining your team integrity in training has several benefits beyond team building. In no particular order, these are ten lethal special operations units from around the world. Unlike normal range training for police officers, SRT operators - like other SWAT team members from other law enforcement agencies - might be tasked with sprinting 100 yards to force the heart rate up to at least 135 bpm, and then shooting. Has the applicant displayed enthusiasm toward his assignment and the agency? A great plyometric measurement of the explosive power of the lower body is the standing long jump. Thanks! These things may be self-evident, or you may choose to establish a pre-test prior to committing them to a basic school. Glenn French. When the team asks for more training, it will be easier to justify because the team has a reputation of no slack. Being successful is 50% fitness and 50% technique. It is so for several reasons, not the least of which is we have uniquely experienced and very capable leaders. Certainly the user experience is an important pillar, but it is mostly defined through the interaction between the cluster user running kubectl and the Custom Resources that are defined by the Operator. Battlefield deaths are going down because of the expertly trained medics and corpsman traveling with deployed combat units. 21. I carefully explained my interest and respectfully asked Myron what I should be doing now to prepare myself for the SWAT selection in the distant future. One of the United States Marine Corps leadership principles is Know yourself and seek improvement. When looking inward, be candid and critical of yourself. Does the officer display the warrior spirit necessary for special operations? They also take pride in their own personal achievements. He explains that when warriors are lined up for battle, these virtues are what you want the people to your left and right to possess: 1. Speed and attention to detail inside the zone are key. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. All rights reserved. He is a co-author of Street Survival II, Tactics for Deadly Encounters, which is now available. If you need to, practice at home on your own time. During his career, Chuck worked Violent Crimes & Major Offenders Program, gang task force and training. Doing 50 sit-ups in 60 seconds would garner a score of 100%. More importantly, he has positioned them to best serve the mission and the needs of the department, said Cowan. Nothing is more exciting to a good SWAT operator than to get the call at two in the morning, because you know it must be great call-out. Today it is all about saving lives, said Lieutenant Dominick Pagano, tactical commander of RCSDs SRT. Some feel there is a leadership void in our industry, however, we are responsible for this void and only we can mend it. This SRT is truly one of the best in the nation, said Lott. Discover LPR Technology that Goes Beyond a Basic Search, Too many officers start out in top condition but allow their physical fitness to diminish. End it by saying that you feel your positive attitude, motivated posture and willingness to train and learn new things will be an asset to the team. Mastery: Understanding, judgment, wisdom, knowledge and technical proficiency are essential to be a well-rounded operator. Not funny. Making the Team
But we want people who have the mental and emotional well-being to recognize their weaknesses; not as an obstacle or an impediment to improvement, but something that drives them to excel., When candidates are asked during the interview, assessment and selection phase why they want to be a full-time SRT operator, answers might range from I have a military background to I want to be the best., The better answer, said Cowan, is, I work hard. Perhaps theres a panel interview to determine candidates written and verbal communication skills, and knowledge of policies and procedures. Your physical fitness is the foundation of your mindset and should be measured by the sweat angels on the floor and the taste of iron in your mouth. Where is she if there is a she? Links and Books Referenced. The gear is designed to keep officers safe while they are working, and allows them to seamlessly carry out their duties. The typical selection process includes physically-demanding events which test candidates fitness, perseverance, and mental toughness. SWAT teams will always be comprised of men and women who constantly strive to be at their best when other people are at their worst. As leaders and subordinates, you must constantly assess where you and your team are at and adjust accordingly. What is the most important indicator of an individuals potential for success on a team? Tips for young officers in their quest to make the SWAT team in their department. SWAT units consist of officers -" operators -- whose character exemplifies a set of values. The Sit and Reach The sit and reach measures lower back flexibility, during three slow and deliberate attempts of the person being tested to reach as far as they could toward or beyond their own feet. Are you fit for it? If it worked four times during briefing, it will likely work when you stack up on the door. You've been successfully signed up for the Police1 SWAT. The secret to winning a righteous fight is in the word itself: You may not get tasked to do this in your first year, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt have an understanding of the information that needs to go into each of those documents. And unless your team is doing HALO operations, you probably dont need the watch with an altimeter or one that is submersible to a 1,000 feet. Lexipol. His novels, The Calling, the Making of a Veteran Cop, SWAT, Blue Knights in Black Armor, Nobodys Heroes and Destiny of Heroes, as well as his latest non-fiction offering, Law Dogs, Great Cops in American History, are all available at Amazon. Tact: You must be able to speak and communicate to those up and down the chain of command without pissing them off. SWAT gear protects officers from a number of situations. What characteristics encompass a valuable operator? Among his many other admirable qualities, it turns out Myron was also a very wise man. He is a member of the Colorado P.O.S.T. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). Dan is a member of the Police1 Editorial Advisory Board. The sit and reach measures lower back flexibility, during three slow and deliberate attempts of the person being tested to reach as far as they could toward or beyond their own feet. Pagano is referring to how the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) responds when a person is under varying physical threats. You never want to be the guy the rest of the team is waiting for to dress out. Set your ego aside because leadership is not about you, its about your service to them. Your teams uniforms and equipment are squared away. It means your reports and administrative duties are completed to perfection. For example: The 12-minute run measures cardiovascular endurance, but as the team members compete, their grit is on full display as well. Recently, my department interviewed 50 Special Response Team applicants. 16. After being selected for the team and years later selected as the teams Commander I repeatedly saw the truth in Myrons words. Next, lets discuss outward-facing leadership traits. 10 Things Every New SWAT Operator Must Know. Does the applicant possess a can-do attitude? You will become a leader in the law enforcement community. They also spend time training in special tactics, such as building entry and searches, doorway breaches, takedowns and search and rescues. Are they a self-starter and demonstrate initiative in past performance? Something that I found beneficial to me in the Army and as a rookie cop was to emulate one of those senior officers who was well respected by their peers. Im the proud parent of three, and as I watch my oldest reach adulthood this year, I find myself lecturing him on all of the most basic skills that I think hell need in his first years on his own. The armorer can inspect, maintain, and, when necessary, repair all weapons on the team. Reaching 2.5 inches beyond your toes is 100%. Continual practice conditions the body and the mind. It means your uniform and weapons are meticulously cared for. We have replaced the old warrior mentality with the mind and heart of a guardian. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. Competition will motivate people to train more in their own time. All rights reserved. However, there are four key components that will stand out on your resume. you'll be good. The applicant need not be a body builder, nor a marathon runner, yet they should be in average to above average physical condition. We want people who use eyes and ears first, brain second, mouth third. Before you spend the time and money sending an applicant to a basic operator course to augment your team, take some time to analyze the applicants to ensure they already possess some of the qualities desired in a productive operator. Both Cowan and Pagano say they are far more impressed by the slowest SRT candidate who refuses to quit as opposed to whether or not they passed an initial PT test. I think this is another indicator of when its a good fit. You will offer a fresh perspective as to how your team should operate. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide. Strive to master all you survey. Tactical team operators carry out the tactical plan. Enter https://www.police1.com/ and click OK. Knowing this, I was careful in how I expressed my interest in the team and how it was my LONG-TERM goal to try out. Most officers in charge today have worked their way up the ladder within the team as well as the department. Strength: This virtue does not just refer to raw strength, it refers to all things relating to physical fitness. 9. an expectation that SWAT operators should be capable of not only identify-ing problems, but evaluating options, measuring risk and most importantly, making decisions both as an individual and collaboratively with fellow team-mates. Have a buddy on the team call you every time a page goes out for a call-out. Dan is also the co-founder of Tactical Encounters Inc., a law enforcement training company based out of Michigan. Buy a simple watch that you can see in total darkness. Advise them how you strive to be part of a team and that you tend to flourish under a team type atmosphere. You must work to ensure your team members meet the mission-specific needs unique to the assignment. The fire team leader should promote their fire team brand, squad and team while creating competition between the fire teams. Copyright 2023 Police1. Lexipol. They can take their time on that, however, there may be factors affecting the duration. In the current culture of mass violence as experienced in the U.S. and throughout the world more specifically in the wake of the Parklandshooting questions have arisen as to the thinking and reasoning capabilities, temperament, stress management and even physical courage of officers responding to inherently dangerous terrorist attacks or mass shootings. The investigator can gather that information even as negotiations begin and the tactical team deploys. Police1 is revolutionizing the way the law enforcement community They train team members as users, as well as keep the departments munitions current. Copyright 2023 Does the officer display the appropriate social relationships with fellow officers? In my graduation speech to academy cadets, I talk about the four tactical virtues outlined in The Way of Men by Jack Donovan. The answer is simple: Demand the fitness required for successful and safe operations by requiring team-endorsed mandatory annual fitness testing. All rights reserved. An excellent measure of lower body muscular endurance is the squat thrust. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide. This is especially true with larger agencies where you may not know or have developed a relationship with the new members. But understand that even if you have seniority in your agency, you dont on the team. The commander should promote the team and create a positive brand image. Team integrity: Maintaining your team integrity has several components. You should be able to get dressed, don your ballistic vest, drop holster, helmet, communications gear, gloves and eye protection in a matter of minutes and in total darkness. Building relationships to effectively lead a SWAT team can be difficult and arduous because of the type of individuals SWAT attracts. Copyright 2023 You must have a positive reputation and actively further the reputation of the team. When projecting your outward influences, the focus is on building relationships with those we serve. We want our officers to learn to slow down their breathing, to breathe in through the mouth and out through the nose, and to keep their head always on a swivel. Pagano says this is true for basic patrol officers, but even more so for SRT operators. We had great TLs who were all talented instructors Does the applicant possess any previously obtained skill that would be an asset to the group? If so, were they snipers or did they do building clearing or intelligence gathering? Leadership is about establishing rapport and developing respect to build relationships. Enter https://www.police1.com/ and click OK. All rights reserved. Conversely, you know its time to hang up your gear when you get that same 0200 call and you think, You know, Id rather just get a good nights sleep.. Command staff will take note of his appearance and his paperwork. As a new agent freshly arrived at the FBI Los Angeles Field Office in 1987, my goal was to eventually become a member of the SWAT team. Screening police officers to become SWAT need not be as costly or time consuming, but it is necessary just the same. Keep your pager or cell phone close and never count on one form of communication to notify you of call-outs and training. Second, the Devil finds work in idle hands. Im often asked, What can I do to prepare myself to make SWAT? There isnt one single thing a young officer can do that will make him or her look more appealing than others. Here is a brief explanation of some of the specialty skills possessed by modern SWAT teams. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We do an interview where we pose hypothetical situations, put the candidate through a week of situational training. Copyright 2023 Police1. There should be little to no downtime and lesson plans should have a fast pace that runs people into the ground. It is easier to throw a spear than to carry a shield. Skill, strengthand endurance are necessary to be effective with a ballistic shield. I was expecting a tip on how to improve my shooting or a good reference on tactics, but Myrons response surprised me. Balancing a checkbook, how to succeed in a job interview, changing oil in the car, and so many other basic skills that we as adults take for granted.