SWAT

 

The El Paso Division SWAT Team is comprised of approximately 20 operators which include assaulters, snipers and breachers. FBI SWAT operators must complete a minimum of 50 hours of core training to be awarded SWAT certification. Operators must also attend a 40 hour WMD/HAZMAT Tactical Operations Course. The team has three FBI certified rappelmasters to conduct rope operations and three FBI certified Tactical Air Operations Officers or Tactical Crew Chiefs (TAO/TCC) to conduct helicopter operations. Currently, two operators are certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).

Based on missions performed by the El Paso team, normal training scenarios include: firearms training (to include qualification), Close Quarter Battle (CQB) live fire, dynamic (hostage rescue) entries, slow methodical (law enforcement) entries, simunitions training, high-risk vehicle stops to include hostage rescue and pursuit interruption technique (PIT) maneuvers, patrolling and land navigation (including rough terrain operations i.e. climbing and rappelling). Additionally, the team conducts aircraft and bus assault training. The team conducts training two to three times per month and participates once a year in a one-week FBI SWAT regional training session.

The SWAT Tactical Operations Center (TOC) is staffed by approximately five non-operator Special Agents and five support employees which provide command and control support to the team. Locally, the team deploys under the command of an Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) or higher who acts as the On-Scene Commander.

 

 

In the last several years, aside from local operations, the El Paso team has gained experience in major national crisis situations to include: the Los Angeles Riots - 1992; Branch Davidian Operation at Waco, Texas - 1993; evidence recovery at Kingman, Arizona in support of the Oklahoma City Bombing investigation - 1995; Freeman Operation at Jordan, Montana - 1996; Republic of Texas Operation at Ft. Davis, Texas - 1997; the Eric Rudolph Fugitive Operation in Andrews, North Carolina - 1999; the Winter Olympic Games, Salt Lake City, Utah - 2002 and Superbowl XXXVIII at Houston, Texas - 2004.