Expert: Loren Stevens - 1/6/2009

Question
Hi im Harry Sanders From Minnesota and I have a few questions to ask you about SWAT for a English report.

1. What is the most challenging thing about being a SWAT officer?
2. What is a typical day as a SWAT officer?
3. Where did you get your education?
4. In your opinion, what are the main skills a SWAT officer needs to succeed?
5. And finally what advise would you give someone who is thinking about being a SWAT officer?

Answer
Hello Harry,
I was born and raised in MN  (south Minneapolis) so I understand the cold there...
First, I should say, that I did NOT spend much of my career in or associated with SWAT. Many years ago, I was involved in the formative aspects of the agency SWAT program. So, it is with that foundation, that I respond to your questions. My background is more covert ops, intelligence, and organized crime oriented.
And, these responses are those that reflect MY opinion, and may or may not be embraced by others with a SWAT background.
OK, that said....
#1- I think the most challenging thing about SWAT, is the ongoing conditioning and fitness, repetitive training, and the calls for service at all hours.
#2-There is no "typical" for anybody who is engaged in line police work, or any special ops.
Some days you may be assisting in a follow-up investigation by canvassing a neighborhood, other days you may be serving high risk arrest warrants, other days, you may be serving or assisting in serving search warrants, other days you may be at the range all shift, and always training.
#3-
Well sir, MY education does not necessarily lend itself to any particular assignment.
Formal education: U of MN, Cal state Long Beach, U of Cal Davis, U of NV Reno, U of Cal Berkeley, UNLV, and Post graduate study at UNLV and the U of Louisville, and the Southern Police Institute.
Along with a ton of training conferences, agency schools, seminars etc et al.
LOTS of schooling and experience in the Marines, and "life's lessons" in combat in south east Asia.
And most of all, "education" in working street police work for 31 years....where you learn fast.
Is that what you wanted?
#4-A SWAT officer requires discipline, maturity, "team" concept, tactics, cross-training, dedication to duty, and a global character of "professionalism".
#5-My counsel would be to concentrate on being an exceptional street police first and foremost. I've never known a SWAT officer, who wasn't first a top quality police officer. This, is because you will spend more of your career in assignments other than in any given specialized unit, like SWAT.
Hope this is helpful to you.
Good Luck,
and Regards,
loren