SWAT Full Form

For the first time in the year 1964 the Philadelphia Police Department had set up an unil of 100 specialized men to tackle the highly increasing rates of bank robberies. It consisted of heavily trained officers who could be decisive when alarmed about my robbery. They were also known for their awesome firepower. It was a success and hence they were used to resolving other heavily armed criminals. Later as time passed the SWAT Teams increased around 1980-90 during the time when the USA was going through the War on Drugs and also faced the 9/11 attacks in 2001. 

By 2005 SWAT Teams were assigned tasks at a rate of 50,000 times per year which had jumped to 80,000 times per year. Those were mainly search warrants for drugs. Illegal drug searches were nearly 80% of the total cases. SWAT Teams are very highly skilled and extremely well-equipped to deal with any emergency such as a terrorist threat, hostage situation, crowd control problems etc. The equipment used by the SWAT Teams are specially made for class-quarter combat in modern situations and environments. This equipment are nothing less than the equipment provided to the military.

Uniform

A SWAT personnel is provided with usual camouflage traditional uniform. It is similar to the uniform worn by the army. However, it was not always such as earlier they had a black and blue uniform. The personnel are provided with the current US military helmet but around the initial days it used World War II surplus helmets.

Balaclava or ski mask is worn as a fire retardant to safeguard the face. Bulletproof vests are given to them with ‘SWAT’ being labelled on it for proper on field identification. 

Weapons in use

In general submachine guns, AR’s shotguns, cablines and snipers are used along with tactical throwables such as flash bangs, stingers and tear gas grenades.

Some of the commonly used weapons by the SWAT are:

• Heckler and Koch MPS submachine gun – It uses 9 mm ammo and was one of the most used weapons by SWAT Teams 

• 5.56 carlines – Guns such as Colt Car-15 and M4 which used the 5-56 ammo replaced the Heckler

• Shotguns – Benelli M1 a semi-automatic shotgun is also used along with the Remington 870 which is a pump action shotgun

• Semi-Automatic pistols – As a side arm M 1911 pistol, Glocks, P226 etc were preferred

• Long-range weapons – Marksman rifle of Colt M16A2 and snipers such as M14 rifle along with Remington 700P are used for long range. 50 caliber snipers are kept in store for use in intense situations

• Battering rams to break doors and hinges were also used

• Grenades, flash bangs, smoke grenades and pepper sprays were also used as they had tactical importance

Vehicles in Use

Different vehicles would be used for different requirements of the SWAT teams. Modified Armored Rescue Vehicles are used by the team during insertion, rescuing civilians, officers or  other people being watched under fire gun arm. Some of the special vehicles used by different SWAT teams around the country are.

• OHIO State Highway Patrol special team-uses a vehicle which is made by Lenio Engineering and is called B.E.A.R. 
• It resembles a huge armored vehicle with a ladder to reach till 3rd floor being installed in it. The Anaheim Police Department also uses the same customized vehicle

• A personnel carrier specially armored known as Alvis Saracen is used by the Tulsa Police Department
• Ladillae Gage Ranger is used by fewer departments such as Texas, Austin, Washington DC and Killeen

Conclusion

It would not be wrong to say that SWAT has always provided service whenever they have been called upon by the US Government or any challenging situation in or outside the country. Having normal patrolling duties allows them to have environmental knowledge and their skills are parallel to those of the military if not more. They SWAT has always proves its worth no matter if it was an anti-terrorist mission or anti-drug missions in America. They have been provided with a bunch of weapon options such as pistols, ARs, sniper rifles, Designated Marksman Rifles, etc. Along with them there are bulletproof vehicle vests and helmets.