Special Weapons And Tactics teams

Standard Operating Procedures

S.W.A.T (Specialized Weapons And Tactics) is a special unit designed to perform high risk. search warrants, extractions, entries and arrests. S.W.A.T is a multi-jurisdictional task force comprised of LSPD officers.

Qualifications for S.W.A.T.:

• Must be employed with your agency for 30 Hours

• Must have a clean disciplinary record

• You must hand picked by your command and pass an interview

• You must complete the basic S.W.A.T school, to include EVOC with the BearCat.

• Complete monthly training/qualifications to stay proficient

S.W.A.T must be called in when the regular patrol is not equipped with the tools and resources. To successfully carry out high risk arrest/search warrants.

• To call S.W.A.T. it requires a rank officer, sergeant or higher, and that will make the call for S.W.A.T to arrive.

• Once S.W.AT has been called and is en route. Officers on scene will hold a perimeter to ensure subjects do not escape.

• If possible, contact the air unit for assistance with air cover.

EXTRACTION PROTOCOLS:

• Once S.W.A.T arrives on the scene for an arrest/search warrant, they must call over the loudspeaker "Police. Search Warrant*/'Police, Arrest Warrant.'

• If it's a barricaded issue, call. S.W.A.T will announce their arrival and Request a peaceful surrender.

• If a breach is required, S.W.A.T members will pile up outside the door or entrance. Once everyone is ready, the members will enter the building.

o Note: If the door is closed, have a member on the ram to break the door open. Once the entry is made, the first officer must go left, right, or straight, depending on the layout of the room.

o After the first officer makes the entry, the other officers will go in the opposite direction of the first officer.

o When making an entry, it is important to give strong verbal commands.

Ex:  'Police. search warrant'

Ex:  " Police, show me your hands."

o If orders are not followed and deadly force is authorized, then officers must: Respond with deadly force.

o If a suspect is injured due to a gunshot then EMS will be called once the scene is secure. EMS will enter once the scene is secure.

o S.W.A.T. Tac-Medics have LEO's as a priority for service but may assist EMS after they assist LEO's.

• To clear other rooms, there MUST be a minimum of 2 S.W.A.T. entering a room. They should line up outside the entrance and the second officer will inform the first officer that he is ready to enter. The first officer will make the entry and follow the above protocols.

• Once the scene is clear, the officer investigating the incident will process any evidence and complete an incident report. A designated S.W.A.T member will complete a S.W.A.T report explaining what events took place.

• At the end of each S.W.A.T call, a team meeting will take place to see what areas need improvement.