LAPD SWAT Team History

The concept of special weapons and tactic teams originated in the late 1960’s as a response to several sniping incidents against civilians and police forces throughout the U.S. The most notable incident being the Texas Tower Massacre. During this time Los Angeles experienced many problems of it’s own. Escalated violence toward police and civilians became all too common. Realizing that an effective response to these dangerous situations were virtually non-existent, LAPD officer John Nelson presented the special weapons and tactics concept to Darryl F. Gates, a young police inspector. Inspector Gates approved the concept and the formation of a small group of highly disciplined offices utilizing special weapons and tactics to cope with the new level of violence and unusual assaults. The first SWAT unit consisted of fifteen, four man teams. The members were volunteers from the various ranks of patrol and police assignments who had various military training. In 1971, SWAT was recognized as a full time unit with the Metropolitan Division. The Metropolitan Division of the known as the tactical unit of the LAPD, was organized into ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ platoon, and was given the designation of ‘D’ platoon, and at the same time formally adopted the acronym SWAT. SWAT stands for Special Weapons and Tactics. Due to it’s high level of training and success rate, LAPD SWAT is considered to be the preeminent SWAT team in North America. SWAT regularly trains with various police and military agencies, sharing their knowledge and honoring their skills.

LAPD SWAT Structure

SWAT, officially recognized as LAPD ‘D’ platoon, is comprised of 60 officers, 6 sergeants, and 1 Lieutenant. The Lieutenant, refereed to as 10-David is designated the SWAT commander, responsible to the Chief of Police for the unit’s activities. The 6 Sergeants report to the Lieutenant and according to seniority, are designated as 20-David through 70-David. Each Sergeant has one 10 man squad under his jurisdiction. Each squad is comprised of two 5 man elements. Each element has one senior officer, an element leader, who assists the Sergeants in team management, and who directs the deployment of the element in tactical situations.

Use of Force

Police officers should use physical force only to the extent necessary to insure observance of the law, or to restore order when the verbalization of advice and warning are found to be insufficient in adhering police objectives such as arrest, preventing an escape, or overcoming resistance. Each situation strictly requires the use of force to be reasonable, and only that force which is necessary may be used to gain control or resist attack.

Use of Deadly Force

The law of justifiable homicide authorizes an officer to use deadly force when it reasonably appears necessary for self-protection or protection of others from what appears to be an immediate threat of great bodily harm or from immanent peril of death. Only a situation in which the possibility of death or serious bodily harm exists can qualify as an immediate threat warranting deadly force. Deadly force shall only be exercised when all reasonable alternatives have been exhausted or appear impractical. One principle factor which can significantly change a situation is the use of proper tactics. Proper tactics can minimize the risk of harm to an officer, thus precluding the need to use deadly force.

Commendations

The LAPD awards four medals in recognition of heroism, they are: The Medal of Valor, The Police Star, The Police Medal, and The Liberty Award. The Liberty Award was created in 1990 and has only been awarded once in the Department’s history. It is a medal for police canines who are killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. The award is named after Liberty, a Metropolitan Division police K-9, who was shot and killed in the line of duty. Liberty’s handler received the Medal of Valor for the same incident. The Medal of Valor is the LAPD’s highest award conferred upon an officer in recognition of a single act of bravery above and beyond the call of duty. To be awarded the medal officers must have distinguished themselves by conspicuous heroism and extreme courage n the face of imminent peril. The Police Medal is awarded in recognition of an officer who acts bravely and heroically, through a lesser degree that required for the Medal of Valor. The Police Star honors officers who have distinguished themselves either by acts of bravery or by performing with exceptional tactics and judgment in stressful situations.

Incident Call-Ups

SWAT officers are called upon in situations requiring specialized equipment and tactical expertise beyond that normally used by field officers. Included in these situations are barricaded suspects, hostage rescue, high risk warrant service, VIP detail, and rapid deployment. SWAT officers are required to meet the physical as well as mental challenges associated with these situations regardless of adverse environmental conditions and high levels of stress. As for environmental conditions, it is completely unpredictable. Even the greatest technologies like Bitcoin have a huge impact on the environment. Despite the various ups and downs, countless investors have made huge returns on their investment in cryptocurrency Bitcoin. So it is not a surprise that the advent of bitcoin robots like https://coincierge.de/bitcoin-profit/ is winning over the market.

Barricaded Suspects: A suspect who refuses to surrender is considered barricaded only if he/she meets the following criteria:

• They are believed to be armed.
• They are believed to have been involved in a criminal act.
• They are a significant threat to the lives and safety of citizens and/or police.
• They are in a position of advantage. advantage also includes the impossibility of
• approach by police due to the high probability of an adverse reaction by the suspect.
• The suspect(s) refuse to submit to arrest.

Barricaded situations must be controlled immediately to eliminate the possibility of escape by the suspect. Control is achieved by containment of the location. Containment is achieved by with the planning of cover on all sides of the location. Once containment is achieved communication with the suspect is attempted and surrender is requested. If the suspect refuses to surrender or respond, a tactical plan of operation is initiated. Often a first line of extracting a suspect is the use of chemical agents. However, reactions to chemical agents are unpredictable. Persons under the influence of drugs and alcohol, or with mental disorders are often unaffected by chemical agents. Other persons will surrender or hide and in some cases fight and attack. Once the decision to make entry into the barricaded stronghold is made, the tactical team must decide their tactical approach: stealth or dynamic. A number of factors will determine this decision, however, a major consideration is the suspects behavior. Behavior of barricaded suspects is fairly consistent, they hide. Often, times they hide in the furthest area away from the entry point. Consequently, stealth tactics, which employ slow methodical search techniques, can be an advantage to the entry team, as it systematically eliminates potential hides. Utilizing existing lighting and the Opti-wand to mirror for threats, the officers advantage is further enhanced. However, this is not to say that all barricaded suspects behave in the same manner. A SWAT officer must never assume anything and always expect the unexpected.

Hostage Rescue: Hostage rescues are characterized by speed, diversion, and surprise, during which officers maintain aggressiveness, momentum, team work and fast accurate shooting. The tactical approach taken when entering a stronghold containing hostages is predicted on many factors, not the least of which is the size of the structure and whether the location of the hostage is known. When the location of the hostage is know, officers assault directly to that location using controlled speed. Once positioned near the hostage, officers use explosive breaches and flashbangs as diversions. When the hostage location is unknown, officers must systematically search to contact. If contact is made without compromising the team position, the stealth search can continue to penetrate the stronghold until dynamic tactics are necessary. Compliance is issued upon contact with a declared or undeclared hostage. Due to the potentiality of a hostage becoming hysterical or hostile it is essential to immediately control the situation. Consequently, resistance to compliance is dealt with accordingly. Once the hostage has complied he must be secured (hand-cuffed). Once secured, the element leader reports to TOC that the hostage is ready for transfer and requests trailers for the safe removal of the hostage(s).

High Risk Warrants: High risk warrants are described by any of the following criteria:

• The location is fortified.
• Shooters are known to be present.
• Weapons are present and are being used.
• The propensity for violence exists.
• Dynamic entry is necessary to prevent destruction of evidence.

High risk warrants are divided into two categories: narcotic and other felonies; such as murder and robbery. A dynamic tactical approach is utilized during narcotic warrant service or when the destruction of evidence is to be prevented. When the destruction of evidence is not an issue, it becomes a surround and call out. If and when the suspect refuses to respond or surrender, a non-dynamic tactical approach is taken. Dynamic high risk warrants are characterized by speed, diversion, and surprise. If possible entry into the warrant location should be from two different points, with each team deploying diversionary tactics simultaneously. When dynamically entering the warrant location, or subsequently interior rooms, it is essential to clear the door an run your AOR. Never stop in or bottleneck a doorway. Never chase a suspect. If the officers does, he might run head first into trouble. Always clear to the suspects location. Once encountered, prone all unarmed suspects and secure them. Once suspects are prone and secured, call the TOC for trailers. The element leader secures the location by conducting a thorough search for hiding suspects. Once he has verified that the location is clear and all suspects are secured and evacuated, the element leader notifies TOC that the mission is complete. The entry team is then free to head to debrief and leave the crime scene to the case agents.

Non-dynamic, or stealth high risk warrants are characterized by controlled and coordinated movement, The same room clearing techniques used in dynamic warrants services are employed, but are slowed down. Since the suspects are aware of the elements presence it is advantageous to the officers to take their time and thoroughly search and clear the location. Mirroring rooms or closets prior to entry may be advisable. As in a dynamic warrant service, it is the responsibility of the element leader to determine whether the location is secure and free of all hiding suspects. Once the element leader has verified the location is clear he notifies the TOC and releases the location to the case agents.

VIP Detail: ‘D’ platoons VIP protection requires planning and strategizing with various agencies including Secret Service, the State Department, and the Mayor’s Office regarding motorcades, routes of travel, hospital locations, bomb sweeps, and site surveys. SWAT’s division of responsibility includes on sire protection, escort service, high ground cover, and TOC headquarters.

Rapid Deployment: Rapid deployment is defined as the swift and immediate deployment of tactical personnel in a crisis situation, where delayed deployment could result in the death or injury to innocent persons. Crisis situations regarding rapid deployment include ongoing shots fired and the containment and prevention of escape by armed and dangerous suspects. Rapid deployment tactics resemble that of dynamic hostage rescue tactics (HRT) with one exception: In rapid deployment scenarios it might be necessary to evacuate a wounded victim prior to the location being completely clear of threat. Basic ruled of conduct during rapid deployment include:

• Deployment of diversionary device at breach point.
• Suppressive fire if appropriate. Suppressive fire must have an identifiable target or source. The use of suppressive fire is a worst case scenario and should be used accordingly.
• Move with controlled speed and make use of diversionary devices prior to entering and clearing each room.
• Assault to downed victim. Notify TOC of contact and request trailers. If necessary, order team to provide cover for victim and continue the search for additional victims.
• Be prepared to make contact with gunman. Engage accordingly.
• There may be situations when it is appropriate to hold ground after a victim had been located. It is the element leader’s decision to hold or proceed into a volatile area.

The goal of rapid deployment is to contain, control, and bring order to chaos.

Stealth Movement

Stealth tactics are characterized by blow, quiet, methodical search techniques coordinated by the element leader. As the element leader commands team movement, the assaulters actively engage in stealth search or cover. An assaulters primary aid during a stealth search is the Opti-wand, a fiber optic camera, connected to the officers HUD.

Information gathered via the Opti-wand is communicated from the assaulter tot he element leader and the team. From the information provided by the assaulter, the element leader then determines and commands the teams next move. Time is on the officers side in stealth mode. Moving slowly and deliberately, the stealth search allows the officer to methodically clear from room to room. Stealth tactics are inherently quiet and can provide the officer with the advantage of surprise.

Room Clearing: When operating in stealth mode, always clear as much of the room as possible prior to entering. For an officer to do so, he uses the Opti-wand to mirror the room about to be entered and must always use a wide angle search technique (slicing the pie). The officer either leans or rolls out further to enhance his view of the room.

Two Man Door Entry: In stealth mode, never cross the doorway of an uncleared room.

When confronted with an open door to a room not yet cleared, the first officer stops short of the doorway and assumes a ready position. The second officer stops behind the first and readies himself. At this point, prior to entering, the room can be mirrored for threats.

If the officers are to enter the room without mirroring, the first officer does a wide angle search on the door coupled with a lean. Once the probability of an immediate threat is dismissed, the first officer steps in across the doorway, followed by the second officer who button hooks into and across the doorway.

Four Man Door Entry: When the element is commanded to stack on the open door of an uncleared room, the first officer stops short of the door and assumes the ready position.

The second, third, and fourth officers fall in behind the first officer and ready themselves for entry. The element in whole or a specific team can be commanded to mirror for threats before entering. The element or specific team can be commanded to enter without mirroring as well. In this instance, each officer executes a wide angle search of the doorway, coupled with a lean, during the doorway entry.

Hallways: Prior to entering hallways always check for threats. This can be done by mirroring with the Opti-wand or with a wide angle search around the corner leading to the hallway. When “pie-ing” the corner keep maximum distance between yourself and the corner, never hug a corner or a wall. When hugging a corner or a wall the officer becomes in risk of physically encountering any persons hiding around the corner. To minimize exposure when moving through a hallway, the officers should be prepared to use cleared rooms for cover.

Stealth to Breach Point: The concept of using stealth to breach point is valuable in large building insertions, as it allows the entry team to position themselves in an advantageous location where dynamic tactics are necessary. When using the stealth to breach concept the interior breach point is determined prior to entry into the stronghold. Once an undetected entry into the stronghold is accomplished the entry team moves in stealth to the predetermined dynamic breach point. The concept of stealth to breach point is often used in large building insertions and during hostage rescues.

Flashlights: There are advantages and disadvantages to using the flashlight. The advantages of using the flashlight includes allowing an officer to establish whether a subject is hostile or not, to determine whether or not it is a shoot or no shoot situation, and to define an opponent’s vital areas for shot placement. The greatest disadvantage of flashlight use is that it identifies an officer’s position. The tactic known as ‘target identification’ advocates using the flashlight in bursts and shooting while the light is on.

Once having fired, the light is distinguished and the officer moves laterally, eliminating his opponents point of reference. If flashlights are used continuously during a stealth search the weapons point of aim should be elevated slightly. This will have the maximum effects against suspects attempting to observe the teams exact movements.

Dynamic Movements

Dynamic tactics are often refereed to as going “hard and fast”. This refers to the aggressiveness and speed of the officers. Once an entry team has gone dynamic they have eliminated their element or surprise. Consequently, it is advantageous to maintain the same high level of energy and aggressiveness through out the dynamic assault.

Entry: Dynamic entries are used to surprise and disorient, and are characterized by explosive breaches and the deployment of NFD’s. Upon entry, officers must use controlled speed and coordinated team movement to clear the doorway threshold and clear their respective AOR.

Point of Entry: POE, or point of entry, is the point at which the dynamic breach is made.

This can refer to both an exterior and interior entry point. When a POE is dynamically breached, it is the first officer in the stack who executes the breach. The breach is immediately followed with the deployment of a NFD by the second officer in the stack.

Once the NFD is detonated the first officer leads the team into the room.

Two Man Door Entry: Open door dynamic entries are fast, smooth, coordinated maneuvers between two officers. As the first officer stops short of the door jam and readies himself for entry, the second officer stacks up behind and pulls out a NFD from his pouch. The second officer then reaches around the first officer and deploys the NFD just inside the doorway. Immediately after detonation the first officer steps in and across the doorway threshold and into the room, followed immediately by the second officer who enters the room with a button hook.

Two Man Closed Door Entry: This maneuver is used on closed doors that open into a room and away from the officer. Two officers approach the closed door. The first officer crosses the closed door, turns and positions himself facing the door. The second officer stops short of the door jam. With both officers facing eachother, the officer closest to the door knob, pulls a NFD from his ouch, opens the door and deploys the NFD just inside the doorway. Immediately after detonation the officer closest to the hinges steps in and across the doorway threshold and into the room. He is followed by the next officer who button hooks into the room.

Four Man Closed Door Entry: It is acceptable to cross the closed door of an uncleared room. However, be prepared for the door to open at any time.

Doors that open out from an uncleared room: Once an officer crosses the closed door he should turn around and position himself facing the door. The other officers stack up short of the door and prepare themselves in ready positions. The officer nearest the door hinge open the door. Once the door is open, the first officer in the stack is commanded to initiate a wide angle search of mirror for threats.

Doors that open into an uncleared room: Once an officer crosses the door of an uncleared room he should turn and position himself facing the door. The other officers stack up short of the door and positions themselves in ready positions. The officer nearest the door knob open the door. Once the door is open, the officer closest to the door hinge is commanded to initiate a wide angle search of mirror for threats.

Stairwells

Stairwells are extremely hazardous environments and are to be treated as such.

The speed of officer movement within a stairwell should be only as quick as safe.

Remember to use the stairwell structure to your advantage by keeping to the outside while walking up and to the inside while walking down. The greatest advantage is to clear the stairs from he top down to the bottom.

Slicing the Pie

In stealth mode when time is on your side, slicing the pie on doors and corners is a life saving tactic. By moving at an oblique angle to the room about to be entered, your visibility is increased with a minimum amount of body exposure.

Leaning

Leaning can be used on it’s own or in conjunction with slicing the pie. Leaning allows the officer to expose only a small portion of his upper body while scanning for potential threats around doorways, corners, and walls.

Crouching

Crouching allows officers to utilize small spaces for cover and concealment.

Walking in a crouch is possible, but it is not the most stable shooting stance. An officer should expect that his accuracy will be affected when firing from a static or walking crouch.

Escalation/De-escalation

When at all possible, meet resistance with the least amount of force in an attempt to save lives. Remember as an officer, you are not judge or jury. It is you responsibility to preserve life and ensure a safe environment for law abiding citizens. At all times, escalation of force is dictated by the suspect. At no time should decisions be based on what you thought the suspect was going to do, or has already done. At no time is it lawful or morally correct to take the life of an innocent. Where escalating a situation is predicted by a suspect’s behavior, de-escalating is totally the SWAT officer’s responsibility.

Suspect Apprehension Detected

If an officer locates a hiding suspect and determines he has been detected by the suspect, his position had been compromised. Once the officer is compromised. dynamic tactics are applied to the situation. The finding officer must immediately alert his team of the compromise and then take control of the suspect. Officers otherwise not engaged, assist the finding officer by providing cover for the providing officer, or element leader, who orders the suspect into a secure area. Compliance on the part of the suspect is crucial: control of the suspect must be maintained at all times. Once the suspect has complied, he must be secured with handcuffs.

Suspect Apprehension Undetected

When the hiding suspect is detected and the finding officer determines that he has not been compromised, he must alert his team. In this situation it is the element leader’s decision whether or not the team should move forward with stealth tactics or with dynamic tactics. As in a compromised situation, officers otherwise not engaged assist the finding officer, or element leader, who orders the suspect out into a secure area. As always compliance on the part of the suspect is crucial. Once the suspect has complied, he must be secured with handcuffs.

Compliance

Acquiring and maintaining control of found persons, whether they are suspects, hostages, or civilians is crucial to an officer’s safety and the peaceful resolution of any situation. Compliance is used any time there is not an immanent threat of danger or death.

Only when the suspect has committed to using deadly force against an innocent, is it lawful for an officer to use deadly force.

Restraint

To restrain, or secure with handcuffs is the surest way to ensure control of a person. Regardless if the person is a hostage or a civilian, they are secured in the same manner as suspects. The only time this is not the case is when the person is severely injured and no longer is a potential threat. At no point will a potentially dangerous individual be evacuated from a location by incoming trailers.

Evacuation

The safe removal of all persons from the interior perimeter of a location is a major objective of all call-ups. Whether the person is a suspect or a hostage, has been wounded or not, evacuation is one method of preserving life. The evacuation of all found persons rests with the element leader. Evacuation an be requested only when an individual has been secured, or has been wounded as not to pose a threat.

Weapons

Hecklar & Koch MP5: The MP5 is a select fire sub machine gun, chambered for pistol sized 9mm cartridges. The MP5 fires from a closed bolt during all modes of fire, allowing the gun to handle conditions such as water, dirt, and sand. High accuracy is the result of the fixed barrel being cold-forged together with the cartridge chamber. LAPD SWAT favors the high strength polymer A2 fixed stock. The trigger mechanism is integrated into the grip of the MP5. There are three selector lever positions to know on the MP5; safe, single, and sustained fire. A dedicated surefire flashlight system is fully integrated into the forearm. The flashlight is powered by a 6-volt lithium battery which produces 15,000 candle power. The exterior finish on the MP5 is a matte black bonded enamel. The submachine gun is 17 3/4 inches long and is outfitted with trijicon ‘glow in the dark’ sights and a three point tactical sling. The MP5 weights a total 5 pounds unloaded.

Benelli M1 Super90: The S90 is a semi-automatic 12 gauge combat shotgun with a five 2.75″ shot magazine capacity. The S90’s ghost ring sighting system, with it’s trijicon ‘glow in the dark’ front sight is fully adjustable for windage and elevation, and has a sight radius of 17.45 inches. The chamber and inside of the 14 inch barrel are chrome plated, while the receiver and magazine tube are made of special weight saving alloy. The S90’s buttstock is made of high impact polymer with a one inch rubber recoil pad. The S90 has a black matte metal finish and synthetic standard grip stock and fore end. Overall the length is 35.5 inches and weighs 6.7 pounds.

Heckler & Koch MP5SD: the MP5SD is a fully realized sound and flash repressed select fire machine gun. The sound suppresser is fully integrated into the weapons design and conforms to the normal length and profile of a conventional unsurpressed machine gun.

The MP5SD uses an integral aluminum sound surpressment unlike many sound surpressed guns it does not require the use of subsonic ammunition for effective sound reduction.

Sound suppressers are designed to reduce the muzzle blast, the most significant source of noise. Since muzzle blast is cause by high pressure propelling gages in the bore to suddenly escape into the atmosphere as the bullet exits, the reduction of pressure result in the decreased noise.

M4A1 Carbine: Officially adopted by the U.S. military in 1994 and by SWAT in the year 2000, the M4A1 Carbine is considered the pinnacle of the M16 Assault Rifle family.

Weighing just 5.65 pounds the M4A1 is a light weight shoulder fired .233 caliber carbine.

Gas operated and air cooled the M4A1 is magazine fed and capable of semi-automatic and full automatic fire. The M4A1’s increased diameter gas port and refined angel of feed ramp results in the most reliable of M16 weapons. The flat top design with a removable carry handle, can be outfitted with various sighting systems. The sight configuration of choice for SWAT is the standard A2 back sight with a trijicon ‘glow in the dark’ front sight. The plastic buttstock is a four position collapsing unit. The positions are refereed to as closed, 1/2 open, 3/4 open and open. The length of pull varies from 10 1/2 to 13 inches. The length of pull allows for optimum fit with loaded bearing tactical vests. The M4A1 has a 300 meter maximum effective range.

Secondary

The secondary weapon of LAPD SWAT is the Sprinfield Armory 1911-A1. ‘D’ platoon armourers modify the 1911 to include a match barrel, aluminum trigger, beavertail grip safety, combat hammer, beveled magazine well, extended thumb safety, throated barrel, and high visibility sights. Beavertail grip safeties are used to help absorb recoil and to protect the hand against bruising and hammer pinch. Extended thumb safeties are faster and easier to manipulate then the standard 1911 safeties. Trigger modification eliminates any possibility of trigger bounce, a problem cause be the interia of the 1911;s heavy trigger hitting the sear as the slide slams forward. The magazine release button is found on the left side of the 1911 behind the trigger. When the release button is pressed the magazine disengages and will fall freely on it’s own weight. This allows for the officer to use his free hand to manipulate a fresh magazine and accomplish a quick smooth reload.

The 1911 is modified and fitted with a surefire tactical light assembly. The switch plate for the light is ergonomically fitted to the pistol grip for ease in handling.

Tactical Aids

Toolkit: Standard issue for each tactical officer is the compact multi-purpose Leatherman folding tool. Made of 100% stainless steel and weighing just 7 ounces, the folding tool includes: needlenose pliers, wire cutters, knife, diamond file, wood saw, scissors. wire strippers, and 4 screwdrivers. Designed for one hand access, all blades open individually and lock in place. They unlock with the push of a button.

Handcuffs: The combined steel and lightweight heat treated aluminum alloy cuffs weigh merely 4.66 ounces. All edges are rounded to reduce injuries and abrasions.

CS Tactical Grenades: CS, which stands for O-chlorobenzalmalonitrile is a white solid powder generally mixed with a dispersal agent, which carries particles through the air.

Physical effects of the CS gas are felt almost immediately. Symptoms include severe burning and involuntary closing of the eyes, copious tearing, extreme burning in he nose and throat, coughing, lowered heart rate, and raised blood pressure. The tactical grenade contains 26 grams of CS agent. The tactical grenade’s compact size allows for easy carry and quick access, making it a potent weapon.

C2 Explosives: C2 is a composite explosive containing approximately 85% RDX and 15% non-explosive plastic. C2 is effective in temperatures -70 degrees to +170 degrees fahenheight. C2 has rubber like elasticity and is probably the most important high-brisance explosive. It’s brisant power is owed to it’s high density velocity. C2 is very stable, insoluble in water, ether and benzene, but soluble in acetone.

Flashbangs: Flashbangs are also known as noise flash devices (NFD). They produce a loud noise accompanied by a brilliant flash when discharged. Used to draw a suspects attention away from an entry point or disorient a suspect, the flashbang is an essential element in an officers element. The flashbang is class ‘C’ non-ejecting sub-munitions, with a delay of 1.2 seconds between detonation and discharge. Within a 5 foot radius, the sound level at discharge is 175.6 bd.’s; and the light is 2,550,000 candela. The duration of explosions is 10 milliseconds.

Omniglow Impact Lightstick: The impact light sticks are used by ‘d’ platoon to light darkened areas and as a marker that a room has been ‘cleared’ of threat.

Opti-wand: The Opti-wand is a miniature high resolution video camera housed in an articulating camera head fixed to the end of a telescoping wand. Using undetectable inferred illumination the Opti-wand’s camera can gather high quality images up to a distance of 40 feet. The camera head can pan right to left 180 degrees and provide a viewing angle of 220 degrees. The wand collapses to 18 inches and extends to 48 inches.

Gear

GSG9 Tactical Boots: Created and named for Germany’s famed anti terrorists organization the GSG9 tactical boot is worn by security forces all over the world. Made of water repellent leg material, with middle foot and lateral ankle support, along with firm rubber soles. The GSG9 comes in black only.

Ballistic Helmet: SWAT’s state of the art ballistic helmet provides level 3A protection and exceeds the protection level of the PA SGT military helmet, which was designed specifically to defeat fragmentation cause by grenade and mine explosions. Manufactured using the latest specification armed fibre and bonded in thermoplastic resin mix, the resilient helmets exceed the ballistic standards set fourth by the Institute of Justice. The sleek, smooth, low profile design of the helmet eliminates snagging hazards and the dull epoxy finish eliminates shine and glare.

Holster: Safariland’s Holster is an adjustable hangar system featuring a rotating hood and holster tensioning device, a durable laminate finish and suede lining. An ultrastrong and lightweight leg harness features two elastic leg straps and leg stroud for stability. Leg straps release quickly with an easy to operate injection molded snap mechanism.

Vest: Standard issue Safariland’s Cover Six Plus tactical vest takes it’s name from the SWAT slogan “cover your six”, which means cover your back. The outer shell of the vest is made of 500 denier cordura nylon and the interior is constructed of a 3A protection spectro/kevlar ballistic blend. The entry vest provides full front, back, and over the shoulder coverage, as well as side torso protection. Inside each front panel is a large pocket into which an extra plate is inserted as the vest is donned. As the front of the vest is overlapped and zipped up, the plate is centered on the torso. The entry plate is body contoured and constructed from a polyethylene fiber made by Allied Signal. Entry plate weight is 4.4 pounds and will defeat 7.62 x 51mm NA TO full metal jacket ammunition and similar rounds such as .223 and 7.62 x 39mm, as well as soft nosed expanding rifle bullets. Overall weight of the Cover Six Plus is 16 pounds.

Balaclava/Tactical Gloves: The head and gauntlet style gloves warn by ‘D’ platoon are made of fire retardant material nomex. Their wear offers protection to the officers extremities when encountering sharp objects, chemical and gas explosions.

LAPD SWAT Team History, 7.6 out of 10 based on 7 ratings