Expert: Loren Stevens - 3/6/2008

Question
HI

My name is Garrett. I am 15 right now and I would like to know about how many years do I have to serve as a police officer before I can join the SWAT force.
Thanks for you time

Garrett

Answer
Hello Garrett,
Well, that depends on many things. There are an abundance of variables to be considered.
The size of the agency matters, as the bigger the agency, the more opportunity tends to be enhanced.
Various agencies have different policy interests concerning rotations of special operations personnel. And, it depends on the KSA's (knowledge skills abilities) that each candidate can put on the consideration table. So, depending on the skills you have, compared to the needs at the particular time, will steer the choices of the unit commander.
In patrol, you will definitely need to be off of probation, to be considered for any specialized assignment. Probationary periods vary, from 6 months, to two years.
During your time in uniform patrol, you will need to distinguish yourself in a variety of ways.
So you can see, there are many issues in the mix, plus you will be competing against officers senior to you, some with military experience, some with military combat, and special ops experience. The competition gets pretty keen.
I would also like to invite you to review other Q&A on my site, where SWAT has been discussed.
Hope this is helpful to you.
Good Luck, and regards.
loren