Police and SWAT Teams

swat stands for Special Weapons and Tactics, and is an extremely definitive branch of honor Enforcement that is primarily intentional for subduing heavily armed criminals and saving the lives of troopsy. hit is take down considered the to a bullyer extent or little(prenominal) important think all over in the righteousness Enforcement branch, and for convincing primings. Some find the smell that hit groups ar intimidating to the public do to their military-styled tactics and working(a) procedures. However, it is these frightening tactics that save lives and eliminate life- little terrorening criminal threats.These old geezerhood there ar extremely waste criminals, heavily armed gangs, capital drug cartels, and the public needs capable units for safeguard. It is hits job to come in when the situation is considered stunned of regular practice of law incum band abilities. These situations include hostage rescue, spirited risk search warrants and anti terro rism. Is swat real necessary? The attend is an outrageous YES, swat is a indispensableness Couldnt constabulary officers take cargon of the situations that we throw off swat for? The answer is an incredible NO the regular jurisprudence force does non swallow what it takes to fulfill hit duties.With the threat of terrorism on the rise and the wise technology this century has brought about, the role of SWAT groups has expanded, and their importance has never been greater. law of nature officers are not enough when it comes down to the safety of USA citizens, and SWAT police squads are needed to take care of the deadly criminals and re thrash high risk situations that at present may present in the quickest and intimately effective way possible. Without SWAT, it would be comparable appalling 1, 1966 all over again, a tragic incident that showed the need for a special team designed for high risk situations.SWAT is homophileifestly a need to keep all Ameri pile citizen s from being victims of dangerous criminals. Without SWAT, our defense against offence would front primarily on the regular the police force, and as The Texas quantify Tower Shooting showed, that is not enough. On august 1, 1966, a man named Charles Joseph Whitman randomly killed over a 12 people and wounded other 30 or more(prenominal) from the top of the University of Texas clock tower in Austin in infra 90 min with his high power rifle.The police force was so uncoordinated for a situation like this, that redden though they got there within flecks, they were unable to stop the violent disorder of the Texas Tower Sniper for over 90 minutes. It is stock-still said that there was a large amount of luck involved in stopping him when they did. August 1 was the birth date of SWAT because it was on that day that justness Enforcement realized that they needed special plans for these types of situations.Though the police officers involved were un uncertainnessedly performing t o the best of their abilities, they did not chip in the type of tactical facts of life or special weapons needed to quick suppress this type of violent abuse. This devastating massacre opened the eyes of the States, and put a stead light on how truly vulnerable the e reallyday person really was. No 1 could feel safe if something didnt change, for as Charles Whitman showed, make up an honor student could create such a tragic scene.It was hence that Chiefs of police decided that they needed to waste teams of officers with equipment and training to carry out special plans for these types of incidents. In this day, 2010, our country would be devastated by deadly crime sprees without SWAT teams. If unitary man could create such havoc in 1966 with a hunting rifle, imagine what would happen in this day and age with the in the altogether technology and groups of organized crime such as terrorists. patrol officers do not set about forth the training to deal with dangerous hosta ge situations.Nor do police officers have the capacity to eliminate terrorist threats, or smother heavily armed criminals. SWAT teams are a necessity for the protection of innocent American citizens. nonpareil main reason why police officers are insufficient for carrying out SWAT duties is their training and abilities. SWAT officers are trained specifically to work as a team, usually consisting of quad officers, to carry out their duties in the fastest way possible, with the absolute most organization in whatever given situation, and to do so with the very minimum number of casualties attainable. Team members have to gel and work together as a cohesive unit and this is accomplished by training, training, and more training(http//ezinearticles. com/? The-Swat-Team&id=646368). Swat Training or Tests include a scripted exam, fitness test, firearms test, review board, and psychological evaluation. The fitness test consists of maximum patio press rep, maximum leg press rep, most pu shups acquired within angiotensin-converting enzyme minute with perfect form, maximum sit-ups reached within a one minute time period, a timed 1. 5 mile run, 300 gram sprint, and 150 lb dummy exercises are the bare minimum.Some teams have more difficult fitness training or tests that can even involve swimming. The firearms test consists of target acquisition drills, rapid fire sequences drills, snap smack on the move drills, and mechanical knowledge of weapon operation testing. limited review board is an exercise or test to see if the individual has the ability to think on their feet and gain insight into their suitability for assignment. A great amount of information may be gained from a candidate including personality type, the amount of preparation they put into testing, their ability to work as founder of a team, and their level of commitment.Some interviews may likewise require the candidate make a presentation on a SWAT-related topic (http//www. specialoperations. com/ domestic help/SWAT/swattraining. html). Special Weapons and Tactics teams are on call every hour of every day, even when considered off transaction. SWAT duties are all of high risk, requiring SWAT officers to be a person that is not flustered easily, and with a very high level of maturity. Whats great about SWAT officers is that they are often also police officers as swell up. Police officers that fit the criteria are trained to be SWAT officers.When a situation needing the SWAT profession is presented, thus the officers of the Special Weapons and Tactics team are called upon. This means that not only do you have a SWAT team, barely you get well trained officers on duty until their SWAT duties call. SWAT duties include, but are not limited to, Sniper Situations, barred Suspects, Hostage Situations, Dignitary Protection, Civil Disturbance, Search & Arrest Warrants, Armed Suspect, Narcotics Raids, anti Terrorism (http//www. hollywoodpolice. org/special_units/swatteam. tm). It is plain to see, that SWAT teams are not around for tell traffic or calming domestic disputes, but only serious and deadly conditions that involve high stress and need to be eliminated as quickly and safely as possible. However, training to be a police officer is much different than training to be a SWAT officer, as is their duties. Policemen arent tested nearly as much for fleshly ability, how well they can think on their feet or problem solve fast and efficiently, or even how well they can shoot.Police officers are trained to perform or take care of situations that most potential include, conducting patrol duties on foot and by car and bicycle, responding to calls and requests from the public to assist, domestic disputes, fires and public disorder, attending road-related incidents including collision scenes, vehicle check points and traffic offences, delivering demolition and hospital messages to families, conducting initial investigations, gathering evidence, taking statements , interviewing suspects and victims as well as witnesses, searching individuals or personal property like vehicles, and conducting arrests (http//www. rospects. ac. uk/p/types_of_job/police_officer_job_description. jsp). If one was to look, one would find that police officers are not qualified for even the very basic SWAT situation. Police training just simply doesnt prepare officers to carry out SWAT duties proficiently, if even at all. Simply put, police officers are around to keep the peace and ob go serious situations from breaking out. In general, policemen are here to, protect and serve (http//ezinearticles. com/? Duties-of-a-Police- ships officer&id=1835924).What if the peace is already gone, and can no longer be kept? What happens when protecting and serving isnt enough, for the people of America are already in harms way? That is the core reason for the universe of discourse of SWAT teams all around the United States. When the serious situations find shipway around the d efense of the police force and present themselves, it is then that SWAT, Law Enforcements best defense, is called upon by the people of America for protection. Another reason why SWAT teams are needed, and police officers alone are not enough, is this day and age we live in.In 1966, just one man was able to raise havoc with just an arsenal of, three rifles, a sawed-off shotgun, two handguns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, a five gallon container of water, some sandwiches, and a can of gasoline(Captain Robert L. Snow, pp. 1-7). The police force could not stop one man originally he randomly killed over a dozen innocent people passing by the University on a splendid summer day, and wound close to forty victims enjoying the sun. There is no doubt in my mind that if police officers were not enough then, they are not enough now.It is especially critical that we dont just depend on the police force now as we did back then do to the refreshful technology. If the events of august 1st 1 966 were to reoccur in the present with our new resources and improved arsenal, but no SWAT team, the outcome would be devastating. believe the number of casualties if a man went on a rampage immediately as happened on august 1st, but instead was equipped with round down rifles, sniper rifles, explosives, and even deadly chemical threats like anthrax. For example, a weapon under development called the Metal Storm fires an excess of one million rounds per minute.One burst of over a thousand bullets is fired so quickly that it fathoms as if one bullet was shot. It is said that, A computerized fire nurse system precisely get winds the firing signal to each round in the bbl. As there is no need to mechanically reload the barrel after each round is fired, Metal Storm has complete control over the timing and rate of fire. As a result, the weapon can be used to deliver a single(a) round or dozens of rounds instantaneously at the target. (http//www. metalstorm. com/content/view/64/ 109/). forth from that, there are even such things as automatic pistols today such as the Ingram M11 that can fire 1200 rounds per minute. This new technology allows a frenzy of over one million bullets to be hurled at a target. The fastest firearms of the 1960s were automatic fill out rifles like the AK-47. These automatic assault rifles fired close to six hundred rounds a minute, which doesnt even come close to competing with the rate of fire of newly discovered weapons. With an unstructured and badly prepared police force, people may keep anxious(p) until the criminal runs out of ammunition and materials, and that is not expectable.With a SWAT team however, America can breathe a bit easier for legion(predicate) reasons. SWAT teams are trained specifically to prevent these certain tragedies, and they too have an adequate arsenal. The basic SWAT team is equipped with, the Heckler & Koch 9mm MP5 Submachine Gun, the Colt . 45, Glock . 40-. 45, or the Smith & Wesson . 40-. 45, CS gas, flash bangs, tear gas, Tactical vests, and sometimes helmets(http//fcswat. tripod. com/faq. htm). This equipment is also why SWAT is called upon, as shown in this following situation that could have turned very bad if not for SWAT. Officers said they heard the sound of ammunition eing chambered in a shotgun (or racked), according to CPD Sgt. full Weiner. Officers backed off, set up a perimeter and called in SWAT. SWAT arrived at the complex shortly after 1230 p. m. Medics already were on the scene. Police blocked off the apartment complex no one could enter or exit the complex. Residents also were evacuated from their apartments during the standoff. SWAT shot tear gas into the apartment and arrested the suspect without further incident before 3 p. m. (http//www2. nbc4i. com/cmh/news/crime/article/cpd_swat_responds_to_apartment_complex/32010/).I can range with confidence, that had there been SWAT teams available on august 1st, 1966, Charles Whitman would have been stop at lea st twice as quick, maybe even prevented. Finally, we must(prenominal) have SWAT teams to deal the increase in terrorist activities. SWAT teams have not been called on for many terrorist activities yet, for there havent been many terrorist attacks on United States soil. SWAT training for Terrorist attacks is mostly a plan, but a very important plan. In already having an organized and thought process out plan, SWAT will be prepared to protect America if terrorists do attempt anything in the United States of America.As SWAT Officer Lt. Andrew Esposito says, The threat of an international terrorist attack against our country is not to be interpreted lightly by law enforcement professionals and also states As professional police officers we are all aware of the threat. The training is out there to result information and resources on how to deal with terrorism, whether it is domestic or foreign. (http//www. infowars. com/swat-officer-says-posse-comitatus-makes-u-s-vulnerable-to-terror/ ). Thanks to SWAT teams, we have a defense if terrorists attacks start to break out in our nation due to the training and existence of a plan.Before SWAT teams, there wasnt even a plan, or a single idea of what to do in case of a terrorist attack. Terrorism isnt taken lightly, especially since 911, which is why courses have been provided. From October 2008 to October 2009, Security Solutions International (SSI) conducted 12 SWAT Counter Terrorism courses around the country with hosting agencies. The courses have been taught on the East Coast, on the West Coast and in the Midwest, with a count of 48 LE agencies. (http//www. thecounterterroristmag. com/pdf/CTMAG. DecJan09. SWAT. Trai ningReview. ores. pdf). Thats the most important thing, a well organized plan, with officers trained and capable of carrying the plan out. In brief, 2010 brings a new threat to the safety of anyone and everyone in the United States of America. The Law Enforcement we currently have is of utmost certainly a necessity to protect Americans from any threats. The 21st century brings new technology to the desperate hands of deadly criminals, and gives these Law breakers the opportunity to pose much more of a threat than they ever could in 1966 or anytime before now.Improved automatic rifles bring unlawful citizens the ability to hurl monumental amounts of bullets into crowds of people in less than half the time. Improved technology in bal swayics and scopes allows criminals to post up with high powered sniper rifles and carelessly pluck off innocent victim after victim from a mile away with deadly accuracy. in the raw and easier ways of manufacturing more powerful explosives have made it easier for murderers to demolish integral buildings full of people, a massacre of grate loss in less than 10 seconds.Toxic chemical threats, an invisible airborne killer, could be released in densely populated areas, killing all exposed to it with no mercy. Organizations bent on burning down America co uld strike at any opportune moment, and it would take more than police officers to save our friends and family from their ruthless attacks. The list is a sad one, and it could keep going, but it doesnt need to. every one of those scenarios is creditable of being able to take lives, and to save those lives is more than just a worthy reason to have SWAT teams in full swing. It is the purpose of SWATs existence.