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FBI Special Weapons and Tactics Teams

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Branch
  
Varies

Size
  
Varies

Type
  
SWAT

Currentcommander
  
Varies

FBI Special Weapons and Tactics Teams

Country
  
United States of America

FBI Special Weapons and Tactics Teams are specialized tactical teams (SWAT) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). SWAT agents are specially trained to intervene in high-risk events like hostage and barricade situations. The FBI maintains SWAT teams at each of its 56 field offices throughout the country varying in size up to about 42 members. In the event of a large scale problem that local law enforcement does not have the resources to handle, FBI SWAT teams from the local field office, as well as outside the local region can be dispatched to aid the local authorities.

Contents

Roles

SWAT teams are considered very versatile and can be used in various types of operations.[1]

Examples

  • High risk arrests and assaults (armed and dangerous subjects)
  • Hostage rescue
  • Car stops
  • Counterterrorism
  • Maritime Operations
  • Tubular assaults (aircraft, trains, buses, etc.)
  • Stronghold assaults (structures requiring specialized breaching equipment that local law enforcement might not have access to)
  • Fugitive tracking (in rural environments)
  • Operations in WMD environments
  • Dignitary protection
  • Coordinate multi-location warrant service
  • Site surveys for high visibility events
  • Aircraft Hijackings
  • Specialized sniper operations

    • Utilization

    Several factors can determine the use for SWAT. Some of those factors are:

  • The potential of violence
  • The potential risk to law enforcement and the public
  • The location of the warrant service and case requirements

    • Enhanced FBI SWAT Teams

    A total of nine to fourteen of the larger FBI SWAT teams bear the designation of "Enhanced FBI SWAT" Teams; they are specially trained to be able to assist the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team if needed. Enhanced FBI SWAT teams comprise a larger number of personnel than regular teams, in addition to having access to a more extensive range of tactical equipment and methods. They are also available for worldwide deployment should the need arise, and can assist in military and intelligence special operations.

    Weapons utilized

    FBI SWAT Teams carry a variety of weapons that are generally found in most other law enforcement and counterterrorist tactical teams. The following are some of the primary weapons of FBI SWAT

  • MP5/10 submachine gun
  • M4 carbine
  • M1911A1 Springfield Professional Custom .45 ACP pistol
  • Glock pistol .40 S&W, 10mm
  • Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun
  • Remington 700 Sniper rifle

    • Vehicles utilized

    The FBI SWAT teams use vehicles similar to those that local SWAT teams use, such as:

  • Specialized vehicles for insertion into tactical situations and for tactical maneuvering while in tricky situations.
  • In addition, if the SWAT officers want to avoid detection, they can use a variety of modified buses, vans, trucks, or other vehicles that would seem normal.

    • References

    FBI Special Weapons and Tactics Teams Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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