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SWAT—Not Sit, Wait, and Talk
Jeffrey J. Denning / SWAT Digest
On another note, you should know the capabilities of your SWAT team very well. Then you will use them with confidence. Don’t hesitate to use your tactical team. Too many police administrators mistake boldness for excessiveness. They incorrectly believe that the chances of an “incident” increases when SWAT is used. On the corollary, using SWAT on the relatively “small” incidents will create greater overall safety for all officers and, especially if the team doesn’t have a lot of experience, it will prepare them for the future colossal conundrums. SWAT officers who complain about doing the job should leave the team. The caveat, however, is to not abuse the recall system or the team. Don’t call SWAT in to direct traffic in a bad storm, literally or figuratively.
Finally boss, please stay out of our way and let us work. No Chief should serve as the lead negotiator or the SWAT commander. And no supervisor should ever keep his/her SWAT team in a “red light” status if the situation legally and tactically warrants action. Nothing bothers me more.
Conclusion
In sum, be flexible, but in control. You keep the tactical advantage by making the suspect(s) bend to your timetable. You don’t bend to his/hers.
I’ve had a long held theory that guys in special operations have a greater libido than the average person. With the higher level of testosterone that propels guys to do high-risk work, my theory seems awfully reasonable. Now, I hope I’m not being too tactless, irreligious or flippant by writing this, but considering my audience, and given the topic, in high-risk operations as in intimacy, there is wisdom in slowing down and taking your time. Hurrying is for beginners. As in love, when it comes to bullets, pain and possibly death, the late King of Rock and Roll would wisely remind us: “only fools rush in.”
Originally published at SWAT Digest.
sniper515
about 3 years ago
22 Comments
good article will use some of the advise we need more tatical trainning info out there to help work togather as team
naomi08
about 3 years ago
122 Comments
PETE114 and madog87--I'm with you both, wtf? I don't even know what I just read, it doesn't make sense.
Great article.
SWIRTHS
about 3 years ago
222 Comments
The really like this article - Excellent advise
madog87
about 3 years ago
894 Comments
pete114 lol im with ya man ?? Great article
PETE114
about 3 years ago
1396 Comments
paralegal54:
What are you talking about?
Mrbdguard
about 3 years ago
4590 Comments
Most excellent...Good Job
Chief171
about 3 years ago
3184 Comments
Very well done!!
CBPD607
about 3 years ago
262 Comments
Nicely done.
krakin_13
about 3 years ago
474 Comments
great advice.
paralegal54
over 3 years ago
28 Comments
I moved to a home that I thought with my 4 children that would be safe since so many officers lived in the same neighborhood. One evening after work I was talking to a coworker about a project we had to complete at work. I looked out the window and said to my coworker wow there are a lot of police out in the neighborhood tonight (before dusk) after a while still looking out the window I noticed that the cars were parked in formation (a semi circle) in front of my house. They were opening the trunks of their cars and suiting up with bullet proof vest etc. slowly it was dawning on me they plan to come in here! I am not the scary type but I dont commit crimes. okay i dont always yield at yellow lights. my co worker said that sounds like SWAT. Fear and I got really close fast. I didnt know what to do. I couldnt call the police they were out front. my coworker said dont open the door or they may shoot you. Fear and I wrapped ourselves around one another and I hid my children in closets. just in case they just started shooting. When i moved in the front yard had been destroyed with cars parking in front and no grass etc. I had redone the lawn and planted flower beds etc. I waited so scared because I was told SWAT doesnt ask questions. you just go to jail. guilty until proven innocent. I thank God that because they took the time to assess the situation and did not come in or even to the door. As they were packing up and leaving I opened the door okay that may not have been a bright idea but I did it. And asked what was going on several ignored me but one finally asked me how long had I lived there a month i said. He told me it was a good idea that I had taken steps to improve the property because the people that lived there before me were trafficking drugs. I didnt know who lived there before I just moved to town. The hurry up and wait was my saving grace. I found out that the people they were looking for lived next door. According to neighbors. So SWAT was almost right. Those same people broke into my house the following week. made themselves a tuna salad sit down and ate it then took all the meat out the freezer, new school clothes for my children and assorted clothing of mine. I moved the next day!