Expert: Loren Stevens - 4/2/2008

Question
hello. i am 16 years old and i am considering a career in the field of S.W.A.T / covert operations. i was wondering if you could help me out and tell me what the necessary steps are to join this field. anything would help.

Answer
Hello Andrew,
SWAT and Covert ops are both "specialized assignments", and not a career field per se.
If you are thinking of local and state law enforcement, you need first to get hired. The hire rate, is slightly less than 10% of applicants. So you really need to get through this first door.
The written portion, is usually general knowledge, with logic, math, English subdivisions. There are plenty of prep quizzers in the book stores or library on this.
Then, there is an oral interview. You'll need to convince them that you are a "keeper."
There are also published materials on taking oral exams.
Then, a psych test. They don't confirm who will make a good officer, but they do have the capacity to illustrate who will probably not be a good officer.
Then the polygraph. Be truthful, or you'll get burned, and they often use information from your oral interview. They are looking for honesty, character, potential etc.
And, assuming you get through the background investigation, academy, field training etc, you'll need to spend time in uniform patrol services. You see, you need to prepare for the ENTRY level position in the agency.
You will not likely be a consideration for a specialized assignment, until you have been off probation, and proven you can handle the varied duties of the entry level position. And, you'll need to distinguish yourself in that position to be viable.
Then, by agency policy, you reach a point of petitioning for a different assignment.
Competition for these assignments is quite keen, be it SWAT, Investigations, vice, or working dope.
Ultimately, the unit commanders of those units will have a hand in on who is selected.
Much depends on attitude, and KSA's (knowledge-skills-abilities)
The more relevant "stuff" you can pony up, increases your chances of being viewed as an attractive candidate.
For something like SWAT, you'll be up against officers with military combat experience, special ops experience, and even those who enjoy a relevant hobby e.g., marksmanship, chemical munitions, all the first aid certs, martial arts, multi-language skills, computer skills etc.
Once you get hired on, at the entry level, you'll become an "insider" and able to move around the agency and subculture to determine what areas are being sought, and other qualifiers.
Figure on doing 2-6 years in patrol, prior to even getting a shot at some of these preferred duties.
Stop by a recruiting office for a police dept. and collect their hiring materials.
Good Luck, and regards.
loren