Recommendations for SWAT

[foolbae1228]

Farang-

I've always wanted to serve my country, and I finally decided that SWAT was the way I was going to do just that. I have stayed out of trouble, and have straight A's. I plan on going to Mesa Community College to work off some of the classes and take a great police training course. Afterwards, I plan to go to Northern Arizona University to get a psychology degree. I have everything planned out for the requirements for SWAT, but I want to know the best way to get into SWAT.

Can you please give me any tips on how to promote myself for the positions, any advise reguarding SWAT, etc. Any and all post will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all

Farang-
Ryan

 

[Tgace]

You have to become a Cop first. And be one for a number of years before you will even be considered. Do a good job, stay in shape, keep up on your skills...no easy formula.

 

[foolbae1228]

I knew that I had to be on patrol for a certain amount of years before SWAT, and that it varies between departments. Is there any department that you would recommend to get on SWAT earlier?

Farang-
Ryan

 

[Tgace]

I think 3 yrs. patrol is the fastest you're going to find.

 

[Tgace]

My reqs. were

-3 years patrol
-resume examination
-SWAT shoot qual.
-SWAT PT test
-Oral interview board
-SWAT school

In that order....

 

[Cruentus]

Out of curiousity Tom, what were the specific qualifications for PT and shooting in your dept.?

 

[Tgace]

The shoot qual is a secret (if word gets out people can prepare for it specifically and we dont want that) lets just say theres a lot of running, moving and shooting. Time, accuracy and safety rules/standards strictly enforced. Miss any one and you are done.

The PT is the county LEO standard, sit and reach, push-up, sit-up and 1.5mi run. The entrance standard is the 75th percentile.

 

[Tgace]

To the original poster..there are only a handful of departmants that have full time teams. If you think you are going to be part of a full time team, you will have to figure out what department you are going to try getting on (most are Metro depts.). Most SWAT guys (myself included) are plain old cops 99% of the time.

That being said, I dont know if going into this wanting to be SWAT specifically is the right approach. You should want to be an LEO first IMO. That way if you dont make SWAT you arent going to be disgruntled...SWAT is an LEO "extra" IMO.

 

[foolbae1228]

Thanks for all the advise. Should I plan to LEO with the IMO, then try to advance to a Metro area? Is there a pay difference between the two? What are the shifts like, for both Metro and LEO?


Farang-
Ryan

 

[punisher73]

Reminds me of going through the academy. Had several of the officers talk about your interviews in trying to get a job and all of them said not to say you wanted to be a detective, undercover, etc. They want people who want to be a patrolman first and foremost.

I live in a smaller county and the city has an ERT (emergency response team) that has 1-2 positions from each of the other local agencies so they have county wide jurisdiction. It is a part-time thing that they are only called upon around 75 times a year to do something, and it's usually to bust a drug house.

 

[Tgace]

Thanks for all the advise. Should I plan to LEO with the IMO, then try to advance to a Metro area? Is there a pay difference between the two? What are the shifts like, for both Metro and LEO?


Farang-
Ryan

Yes...there is no "standard" though so I cant really tell you. My neighboring depts. vary in terms of income and shifts.

LEO means "Law Enforcement Officer". A "metro" dept. is a dept that covers a major metro (city and surrounds) area a la LosAngles, NYC, and other urban areas. Most suburban and rural dept. dont have the $$ or need for full time teams.

What I am trying to say here is if you dont want to be a plain old cop, I would reconsider. If you dont make the SWAT team will you look for a different job?

 

[Tgace]

Reminds me of going through the academy. Had several of the officers talk about your interviews in trying to get a job and all of them said not to say you wanted to be a detective, undercover, etc. They want people who want to be a patrolman first and foremost.

I live in a smaller county and the city has an ERT (emergency response team) that has 1-2 positions from each of the other local agencies so they have county wide jurisdiction. It is a part-time thing that they are only called upon around 75 times a year to do something, and it's usually to bust a drug house.

Yeah..."community" SWAT teams are the latest thing. Has its pros and cons as does anything else. It's far better than nothing though.

 

[OUMoose]

Hmmmm. Ok, so what does it take to become a cop? Being serious here, as I really don't know. Do you have to take classes? Just a test? PT? Once you're in, do you have to go back to school?

 

[oldnewbie]

Hmmmm. Ok, so what does it take to become a cop?

Patience of a saint!
(Sorry I couldn;t resist)

My brother applied for the academy, did a little boot camp thing, (it was little to an ex-marine I should say) graduated, and went to work!

 

[Tgace]

As best as I can remember it

-at least 21 years of age
-60 credit hours of College at time of appointment
-Civil Service exam (only the 85% or > usually get a call)
-Initial PT evaluation
-Physical exam including EKG
-Psychological examination
-Lie Detector test
-Credit History Check
-Full personal investigation (refrences, employers, military, fingerprint+criminal history check)
-County examination of all personal records (diplomas, degrees, military records)
-Board interviews
-I had an additional reading comp. test administered by my dept.
-Selection
-Academy followed by 6 months of field training
-1 year probation where you can be fired with minimal cause.

May have missed a few points but thats a start....

 

[foolbae1228]

Quote:What I am trying to say here is if you dont want to be a plain old cop, I would reconsider. If you dont make the SWAT team will you look for a different job?

Yes, Sir, I would try other branches in law enforcement, but I would always reach for the top. It sounds like a metro police sees a lot more action and takes a lot to get there, so I initially would try to get there. But, as life will have it, I will adapt and roll with the punches.

Tgace, are those recommendations for SWAT or for patroling officers?

Farang-
Ryan

 

[Tgace]

How old are you now?

 

[foolbae1228]

Just turned 15...and hating the ride-along age. Is there anything else you would like to know?

Farang-
Ryan

 

[Tgace]

Do well in school...get into College. I would avoid Criminal Justice programs as an undergrad but thats just me. Get an associates or 4 yr degree in something like Psych. or even a liberal arts major. I would recommend thinking about what else, separate from, but useful in Law Enforcement you are interested in.

Becoming a volunteer fireman, Police explorer, military service (active or reserve), civillian dispatcher...all can pay off in major dividends.

 

[Ceicei]

get into College. I would avoid Criminal Justice programs as an undergrad but thats just me.

What's your reasoning for that thought?

- Ceicei