Law Enforcement Specialties >> Special Units (K9, SWAT, etc.) >> Wanting to be SWAT
Wanting to be SWAT
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Posted over 1 year ago I am a 17 year old looking for information on how to become a SWAT operator and any information would be GREAT?? |
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| Posted over 1 year ago 1. Join the military. 2. Get a college degree. 3. Get hired by a LE agency. 4. Spend a few years learning how to be a cop and earning the trust of your fellow LEO's. 5. Apply for a spot on the team once one becomes available. You're 17yrs old now. If things go perfectly you're looking at being about 30yrs old by the time you'd be eligible to make operator. Keep your nose clean, and I mean squeaky clean. The competition for LE careers is incredible and any blemishes on your criminal record, lapses in judgment, or morality issues will make you a less than marketable applicant. What you do now will follow you for the rest of your life. And believe me, the background investigator will find EVERYTHING. Put your nose to the grindstone, work hard, and you may have a shot at your dream. Best of luck..... |
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| Posted over 1 year ago Uh-oh! I see the terms of use speech, typical suspicion and requests for an introductory post coming. "Niether fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds." Buddha |
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| Posted over 1 year ago MH557 pretty well summed it up, and realize that getting to be SWAT is a long term goal, now concentrate on staying good, and don't be disappointed if SWAT doesn't happen for 10 or 15 years. |
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| Posted over 1 year ago You are getting way ahead of yourself. I assume you are male. You should be chasing pretty girls and enjoy having a nice ride and doing well in school. MH557 is giving you some good information. Put this on the burner for the next 4 or 5 years and just enjoy being a young adult. Like the old Rolling Stones song " Time is on your side". |
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| Posted over 1 year ago uncle d is still chasing the pretty girls in his nice ride!
uncledennis1 says ...
PL Mentoring Team Member Compliance is not an option; it's a matter of time! |
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| Posted over 1 year ago can you become swat without being in the military??? |
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| Posted over 1 year ago PROPHETIV says ...
Worry about getting hired by a department first! PL Mentoring Team Member Compliance is not an option; it's a matter of time! |
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| Posted over 1 year ago coshane220 says ...
Yup. Keep in mind as well, that unless you're in a large metro department that can afford it, SWAT teams are composed of regular officers who have volunteered for the extra assignment. This means more time training, more time away from home, family, sporting events, less nights out with friends, etc., because you're either working or training with your squad. If you work for a larger agency in a metro area with a dedicated SWAT command, it'll likely take even longer to qualify for the team. All those cool shows about elite military teams (SEALs, Force Recon, Delta, etc)? You're in training for those for about a year at minimum - and that's before you get the Budweiser badge for your uniform. Hollywood ain't real life. UncleD and MH are right - you're putting the carriage waaaaay out in front of the horse. Graduate high school, college and/or military, then academy, then hired, then pass FTO and probation, then become the best patrol officer you can be. Last but not least - keep your nose surgically clean!!! |
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| Posted over 1 year ago AWESOME i know i am getting ahead of myself but i want to know what to do beforehand so i can plan everything out for future reference OH AT ANY TIME DO I NEED REFERENCES TO ENTER THE ACADEMY? |
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| Posted over 1 year ago All great advice so far. Most of all keep your nose clean. |
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| Posted over 1 year ago PROPHETIV says ...
I think you can self sponser in the academy in CA, but have to be at least 20.5 years old to do so. |
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49 posts back to top |
| Posted over 1 year ago Really thats good to know |
