[USMC Chuter]

Most major law enforcement agencies-federal, state, and local-have special teams for special situations. These vary and are sometimes task-oriented, such as street crimes units, vice units, and gang units. The basic three that you'll find nationwide though, are SWAT, bomb squads, and negotiation teams. The three have different focuses, but are mutually supportive and often work together. On the largest municipal departments, such as NYPD, LAPD, etc; these units are staffed full time. Most mid-sized and smaller agencies that employ these units do so using officers who train and operate in the special capacity in addition to their regular duties.

SWAT: Special Weapons And Tactics teams are the most talked-about special police units. They're sometimes called tactical response teams, special response teams, or whatever other name a particular agency wants to use. It's all the same idea though. These teams are staffed by officers who have met certain physical, marksmanship, and service criteria and have been selected to specialize in tactical policing. SWAT teams are used to serve high-risk search and arrest warrants, resolve hostage and barricaded suspect situations through direct action, and address any other high-risk tactical situations that the police may encounter. Many are also trained in crowd control and dignitary protection.

Most SWAT teams are made up of three basic elements. The entry team are the officers who specialize in employing close quarters battle tactics to force entry into a location and neutralize (by force or arrest) a hostage situation or locate and arrest an armed suspect. Room clearing and vehicle assaults are commonly practiced problems. Members are trained in precision close-quarters marksmanship and the use of less lethal munitions.

Perimeter teams are trained similarly to entry teams and may reinforce the entry team on entries. Their primary job is to secure the inner perimeter at the scene of the tactical problem and contain the suspect while keeping innocent bystanders away. They are usually the ones who are equipped to introduce tear-gas and other tools to influence a barricaded suspect to give up.

Marksman/observer teams are basically police snipers. They are trained and equipped for long-range precision marksmanship. Their primary purpose is to observe the overall tactical situation and relay information to the perimeter and entry teams. When necessary to end an armed confrontation or protect a hostage or fellow officer, they may employ their marksmanship skills.

BOMB SQUADS: Bomb squads are comprised of specially trained officers who act as the explosive ordnance disposal arm of law enforcement. All police bomb technicians-federal, state, and local-are trained at the FBI's Hazardous Devices School and train extensively and regularly once certified. They are specifically trained to evaluate and render-safe improvised explosive devices, ie homemade bombs or altered ordnance. Bomb techs are also trained to respond to WMD incidents and conduct post-blast investigations. In addition to responding to bombings and suspicious packages, bomb techs can support the SWAT team by providing an explosive breaching capability or by addressing booby traps.

NEGOTIATORS: Crisis (Hostage) negotiators are specially trained to communicate with emotionally charged and/or intoxicated people. They establish and maintain contact with hostage takers, barricaded suspects, and suicidal people for the purpose of preventing violence and coordinating a peaceful resolution. They provide the carrot, while the SWAT team provides the stick. The best results are achieved when SWAT teams and negotiators train together and understand the other's responsibilities in a tactical situation.