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Careers: Police/S.W.A.T.-How Do I Apply?

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Expert: - 5/8/2011


Question
I am a United States Marine and will be getting out within the next 2.5 years 7 June 2013 to be exact, I want to become a S.W.A.T. officer but I have no idea how to go about it. I have searched google for information but I keep getting sent to college links. I am currently in a degree program for law enforcement. Got any info?

Answer
Jessica,

When you get near to the end of your enlistment you should start thinking about which police department that you want to work for.  The one in your home town?  A big city or a county department.  Then, if possible, you should send in an application and most likely a test will be scheduled.  Many departments wait until they have a large number of applicants before they schedule a test.  If you pass you would go on to a general physical, a set of oral interviews, writing exemplars, a thorough background check, more interviews, and a polygraph.  Assuming that you get that far you could be hired.  I say "could" because normally a certain number of applicants are listed as "highly qualified or well qualified" and then the chief or his designee selects enough for a recruit class.

If you graduate you will work on the street as a uniformed officer for at least several years before you would be experienced enough to work in a specialized unit.  If an opening came open in SWAT then you would have the opportunity to apply along with others.

Keep this in mind.  Only in the largest metropolitan departments do they have full-time SWAT officers.  On the others SWAT officers do the job of patrol officers until they are needed in a SWAT situation.  

So what I am saying that it is no way near what you might see on television or the movies.

NO ONE goes straight into SWAT no matter what their background is.

Careers: Police

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

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