4 answers
Jose
Student
1
Question
Asked
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I am interested in becoming a member of the SWAT team. What do I need to do ?
I am a seventh grader middle school student and want to become a member of the SWAT team and how do I do that?
4 answers
R. Weld
Law enforcement officer
2
Answers
Stafford, Virginia
Updated
R.’s Answer
There’s a lot that goes into being a SWAT member. At your youthful age, you have many years to work on the following skills:
1. Become a good communicator. It takes practice, but over time and with repetition it will become second nature. Practice with people you like, and even more importantly, with people you don’t like as much. The more personalities you are comfortable dealing with, the more effective you will be.
2. Train yourself to be a team player who has no desire to take credit. A good way to do this is to join a school sports team, work hard, be quick to encourage others, and even quicker to own your mistakes.
3. Prepare for the physical and mental demands of SWAT. You need to be in excellent physical shape (running, push-ups, pull-ups, weight training) not only to carry gear but also to carry a teammate away from danger if necessary. The mental fatigue comes from long periods of waiting. SWAT is designed to bring everyone out of a situation unharmed, so while you are trained to handle various assault scenarios, the actual engagement may occur many hours into an operation. Strong physical conditioning will also help you handle the mental toll.
4. Maintain a clean record and join a police department. Your communication skills can be the difference between peaceful outcomes or injury. You must have a clean criminal record, avoid illegal substances, and first become a regular police officer before applying to SWAT. Most large police departments have SWAT teams, but selection is competitive. That’s why skills 1–3 are important to develop long before you earn a spot. Large departments may have several hundred officers, while massive ones—like New York City—have tens of thousands. Keep department size in mind when the time comes.
1. Become a good communicator. It takes practice, but over time and with repetition it will become second nature. Practice with people you like, and even more importantly, with people you don’t like as much. The more personalities you are comfortable dealing with, the more effective you will be.
2. Train yourself to be a team player who has no desire to take credit. A good way to do this is to join a school sports team, work hard, be quick to encourage others, and even quicker to own your mistakes.
3. Prepare for the physical and mental demands of SWAT. You need to be in excellent physical shape (running, push-ups, pull-ups, weight training) not only to carry gear but also to carry a teammate away from danger if necessary. The mental fatigue comes from long periods of waiting. SWAT is designed to bring everyone out of a situation unharmed, so while you are trained to handle various assault scenarios, the actual engagement may occur many hours into an operation. Strong physical conditioning will also help you handle the mental toll.
4. Maintain a clean record and join a police department. Your communication skills can be the difference between peaceful outcomes or injury. You must have a clean criminal record, avoid illegal substances, and first become a regular police officer before applying to SWAT. Most large police departments have SWAT teams, but selection is competitive. That’s why skills 1–3 are important to develop long before you earn a spot. Large departments may have several hundred officers, while massive ones—like New York City—have tens of thousands. Keep department size in mind when the time comes.
Alexander Smith
7
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Alexander’s Answer
That’s awesome that you already have such a clear goal at your age! The best path is usually to focus on doing well in school, staying physically fit, and staying out of trouble. After high school, most SWAT members start as regular police officers, then work their way up. Many also gain experience in the military or specialized law enforcement units before applying. It’s a long road, but starting now with discipline and good habits will give you a strong head start.
Patrick Logan
Business Development
4
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Great question! My younger cousin recently joined the SWAT team, and his journey might inspire you. He was a strong student in high school, stayed active in sports, and kept fit. Importantly, he always stayed out of trouble. This is crucial because law enforcement looks closely at your background. He started as a regular police officer, excelled in his duties, treated colleagues with respect, and consistently made good choices. These actions opened up opportunities within the police department, including SWAT. Even if SWAT hadn't worked out, I'm sure he would have been happy as a regular police officer. I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck!
salvatore sinnona
NYPD Sergeant
1
Answer
Oceanside, New York
Updated
salvatore’s Answer
I retired from NYPD last year. To join ESU, Emergency Service Unit which is our version of Swat, you normally would need atleast 5 years of patrol experience and then you would apply and take the ESU test. It’s difficult, consists of swimming, obstacle course, etc. If you pass, you then would have the option of crossing the brooklyn bridge with cables high up!
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