SWAT & Tactical

Ralph Mroz If you see anything wrong with my reasoning, please feel free to correct me. I’ve been reading articles which claim that dynamic tactical entries are dangerous and outdated and that a more methodical “slice the pie/don’t enter until you’ve visually cleared almost all of the room” approach is the current standard. These posts are written by ex-Special Forces guys from both the US and allies, but they are preaching to law enforcement folks. While I don’t for a minute…

Ralph Mroz I dislike the term “go bag” because it’s often not accurate. Sometimes, they are used in “go” situations; other times, in “return” situations; and, sometimes, they just haul stuff around. What are called “go bags” are really just gear hauling bags – better referred to as “ready bags.” They are distinguished from paper grocery sacks and generic gym bags by 1) their sturdy materials and construction; 2) their suitability for traversing rough terrain (urban or wilderness); and 3)…

Joshua Logan Many agencies have determined that building and maintaining a SWAT team is far beyond their means. However, a solution does exist. Most everyone knows that the New York Police Department (NYPD), the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and other big agencies have a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team; in fact, they have several of them and whole support groups which go along with them. What many don’t realize is that most agencies don’t come anywhere close to…

Eugene Nielsen The Noise Flash Diversionary Device (NFDD), also commonly referred to as a flash sound diversionary device, diversionary device, Distraction Device® or flashbang, has become an essential tool of the trade for tactical teams. NFDDs are designed to produce dramatic pyrotechnics which are intended to provide a brief distraction without causing permanent injury. Although often used generically, the term “Distraction Device” is a registered trademark of Safariland®/Defense Technology®. NFDDs may be divided into two categories – those that only…

Bill Siuru, Ph.D., PE Law enforcement, including S.W.A.T. teams, are under ever increasing scrutiny by administrators, the media and the public in general. Thus, complete and accurate records are vital in order to address any queries or concerns with accurate details. Teams must also manage their equipment, including firearms, munitions, vehicles, and other miscellaneous items, so that they know the status of each, such as being in-service, under repair, requiring repair, or need to be replaced. And, of course, there…

Jim Weiss and Mickey Davis Dateline 2017: Two heavily armed suspects in a high-intensity drug trafficking area barricaded themselves in a car. Cleveland (Ohio) Division of Police uniform patrol officers called for a SWAT assist. SWAT responded in their Dragoon Patroller, an Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV), nicknamed “Mother II.” Cuyahoga County (OH) Sheriff’s Office SWAT also responded in their Lenco BearCat® ARV. Both law enforcement vehicles, Mother II and the sheriff’s BearCat, sandwiched the suspects’ car in between them. Even…

 Todd Burke, Jim Weiss and Mickey Davis Having a solid medical component integrated into your tactical team is not just an option. According to the National Tactical Officers Association’s (NTOA’s) list of “best practices” in 2003, it is a standard. Sixteen years before the NTOA’s best practices were presented, the “Tactical EMS School” was created by four active police paramedics who recognized the need to deliver true medical support into the inner perimeter. The school offered a way to bring…

Mickey Davis, Jim Weiss, Bob O’Brien, and Mark Prince P&SN looks at the SWAT standards and performance of three separate law enforcement agencies in the US. How might these compare to your own department or agency? Although there may not be any current national or state SWAT officer standards in the United States, recommendations and guidelines are put forth by organizations such as the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA), the Ohio Police Officer Training Academy and California POST Commission on…

  Jim Weiss, P.J. Ryan and Mickey Davis This jointly taught combat casualty course stresses that officers should possess the ability to press home the fight and render aggressive patient care, not only to themselves, but also to others who may have been injured. Law Enforcement (LE) trainers previously taught that, if a police officer’s hand or arm was injured in a gunfight, he /she was to put that arm/hand behind his/her back and continue the combat course with the…

Todd Fletcher Responding to alarms, locating suspects, and investigating burglaries are just a few of the calls which require superior searching techniques and tactics. SWAT operators and patrol officers spend a significant amount of time conducting searches of buildings, yards and other areas. As such, both operators and patrol officers need to be properly trained and equipped for conducting safe and thorough searches. Whether deployed on a SWAT mission or working the streets, we need to condition ourselves to look…