Expert: Loren Stevens - 8/20/2010

Question
Hey, I am thirteen years old and have always wanted a career in a SWAT team, but I am definitely not one of the strongest kids in the grade. So to be in a SWAT team do you have to be strong or just physically fit? Also can you please tell me if there are any specific colleges that can help me achieve this goal.

Answer
Hello Chris,
I suspect your views on SWAT may change as you get older. You should know, that special operations units (SWAT) is not a career field. It is mostly, a subdivision, of a subdivision, of a subdivision. I also think you would be hard pressed to find a law enforcement officer doing a career in a SWAT unit. They would tire of the middle of the night call-outs, weekend call-outs, supplementing uniformed patrol units, and the endless repetitive training. Good and interesting work, but not a career.
OK, conditioning is good, and you are correct, in your assumption that it is necessary.
ALL SWAT officers are not of the same build, with template strength standards, or even the same skill sets.
But.....you will need to make the standard for endurance...stamina.
You would be wise to work on upper body and hand strength.
There is no SWAT college.
What you would want to do, is to determine what kind of law enforcement agency do you want to work in. There are something like 44k agencies in the USA. Probably 53 fed police agencies alone.
City, county, state, fed, military etc..what kind of global agency interests you?
Then, figure on what kind of work would interest you for most of a career, and head toward those agencies. You'll discover, by process of elimination, you'll boil it down to a workable group. Your first interest, should be to get hired, on the agency you prefer. The entry level position, usually that of uniform patrol, is where your focus is likely to be.
Also know that less than 10% of applicants get hired, and during challenging economic times, the competition is quite spirited. Also know that many competitors are military combat veterans, who can simply pony up more/better KSA's than a candidate without those experiences.
For a specialized assignment, you'll need to be trained in the agency basics, off probation, and have completed a minimum amount of time, distinguishing yourself at the entry level position.
Then, when you compete for any specialized assignment, it's about which candidates can pony up the best/most relevant "stuff" for the position.
Military folks with knowledge of firearms, chemical munitions, discipline, goal oriented missions etc, may have an advantage.
Those who have some measurable accomplishments in martial arts, electricity, firearms, computers, multi-lingual etc are usually more favored by the selecting authority.

Keep you record clean, stay away from assholes, as at the very least, they'll splash their problems on you and your reputation will take a hit. No drugs, or alcohol abuse. No stupid types of debt, any ''domestic violence' is a deal breaker. Keep your driving record respectable...do some volunteer work. Any letters of appreciation, on letterhead is a good thing.
Try to grasp issues of the use of deadly force... These are 4th Amendment issues. Study the attendant writings associated with the Supreme Court Decision: TN v. Garner.
Well then, I think this is enough to keep you going for a while. Hope you find it useful.
Good Luck,
Semper Fi,
loren