First
titled Tactical, the unit was established 1980. The primary function
of the unit has always been to handle all Special Threat Situations
involving barricaded subjects, sniper incidents, hostage situations,
dignitary protection, and crowd control.
The
secondary function of the unit is to assist other units within the
department in the control of Part I offenses. This goal is addressed
by the targeting of known criminals and affecting arrests for crimes
in progress.
Recently,
another very important assignment was given to the S.W.A.T. Section.
The unit is now responsible for training all sections of the Fort
Worth Police Department in dynamic entry techniques for search warrant
execution. The S.W.A.T. Section also provides other tactical training
courses as needed.
In
1987, the unit was given the task of running high-risk search and
arrest warrants for the Narcotics Section and other investigative
units within the department.
In
1988, the unit was renamed Special Weapons and Tactics Section (S.W.A.T.).
The current structure of the S.W.A.T. Section is:
1
Lieutenant (Section Commander)
2
Sergeants (Section Supervisors)
2
Corporals (Team Leaders)
1
Corporal (Administrative Corporal)
There
are two teams of six officers, one corporal (team leader) and one
sergeant. Officers must have two years service as a Fort Worth police
officer before they are allowed to apply for a position with the
S.W.A.T. Section. It is very unusual for an officer with less than
five years experience to make the unit. The selection process consists
of several steps. The application packet is turned into the section
supervisors for evaluation. This packet consists of a Resume, Supervisor's
Recommendation, Background Investigation, and Statement of Intent.
The next step is the Physical Agility. Applicants must pass the
physical agility test in order to proceed to the oral interview.
Applicants are then ranked according to the final score. (100 is
perfect.) The candidate is then sent to the department psychologist
for a complete psychological evaluation.
Once
an officer is selected to become a member of the S.W.A.T. Section,
he/she begins formal training. Each officer attends a Basic and
Advanced S.W.A.T. school. The officer learns tactics used by the
unit as well as advanced weapons training.
The
issued weapons of the unit consist of a Beretta 96 G .40 caliber
semi-automatic handgun. The selective fire H&K MP5A2/A3 submachine
gun is our primary entry weapon. The snipers are assigned a Remington
700 BDL .308 rifle as the primary long gun. Each sniper also carries
a selective fire H&K model 53 .223 machine gun.
The
Fort Worth S.W.A.T. Section executes approximately 75-150 high risk
search warrants and handles 12-15 barricaded suspect/hostage situations
each year.
|
|
|
