Expert: Jack Toomey - 5/21/2007

Question
QUESTION: Respected sir
         i am Mr Hyder Abbas Zaidi.living in India/mumbai.i had done my 12th from science side i am vary vary highly interested in working in SWAT team. in usa.because just love to do every thing they do to become  police (SWAT)and want to handle and fire M4A1 i just love that machine. and yes vary vary important thing that i wear spectes.and plz plz plz do reply me thank you.


ANSWER: Hyder,

   I am afraid that you have a mistaken idea of American police work.  Before you would ever be considered for the position of a SWAT officer you would be required to serve as a uniformed police officer for many years building up the experience that is necessary to do the job of a SWAT officer.  I have a feeling that you are getting the idea from American television and the movies.  Nothing....nothing that you see on tv is realistic.

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QUESTION: no its nothin like that i just want to work and the idea for it is not from American television or movies.i just like it and really interested and i do watch discovery channel risk taker.and plz can you tell me the procedure to get the work in american police and SWAT can you tell me which education should i take to do that.plz THANK YOU

Answer
Hyder,

  Do you understand that you don't go straight into SWAT?  First you would spend years on the street as a uniformed police officer before you would be ever considered for a SWAT position.  Once we are past that I have to tell you that every department that I have heard of requires its applicants to be American citizens or at least be residents.  Education would vary between departments but you are seeing more departments these days that require 60 credits of college.  I don't know if you are in high school or not but it is important to graduate from high school and go on to college.

 Let me give you a little hint here.  If in fact you do come to the United States and apply to a police department, do not, do not, under any circumstances tell anyone that "you want to handle and fire that M4A1".  They will disqualify you in a second.