NCJ Number
186387
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 28 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2000 Pages: 407-413
Editor(s)
Kent B. Joscelyn
Date Published
2000
Length
7 pages
Annotation
An exploratory study was conducted to consider the training needs of special weapons and tactics (SWAT) units in North Carolina that involved a survey administered to 64 law enforcement organizations.
Abstract
The survey consisted of 29 items, and each police department's SWAT commander was responsible for responding to survey items. Respondents were asked where they received training, what type of training was needed, how many hours per month training was conducted, whether training was done with hostage negotiators or snipers, and reasons for SWAT unit activation. It was found most training for smaller SWAT units was provided by community colleges, whereas larger SWAT units received training through private organizations or the North Carolina Justice Academy. Data also illustrated a relationship between training needs and police department size. The mean number of hours small police departments trained per month was 6.91; similar figures for medium-sized and large police departments were 8.58 and 16.75, respectively. Respondents cited several different reasons for forming SWAT units, including drug problems and other social issues. Larger police departments required more physical testing of SWAT unit members than smaller police departments. Implications of the findings for police department organizational policies and procedures are considered. 9 references, 1 table, and 3 figures