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Welp, I had to stop reading that halfway through ... ... but then I came back to the tab and finished it. So, do we know why SWAT teams are being used for reg

by mr_luc 13y ago

Welp, I had to stop reading that halfway through ... ... but then I came back to the tab and finished it. So, do we know why SWAT teams are being used for regular police work like serving warrants? Is it basically because cops get to feel more like Batman when they wear costumes?

pmorici 13y ago
The old saying "when you've got a hammer everything looks like a nail" comes to mind. If you have a full time SWAT team but only need them legitimately 6% of the time what do you do with the rest of their time? In these cases it looks like the Police department's solution is to just use them for inappropriate stuff when there isn't anything better to do.
- D9u 13y ago
  In my area we have SERT police who are also regular police officers who do normal duty unless the SERT team is called up.
jkeel 13y ago
That's what I'd like to know too? I'm reminded of the old line I hear of "well, that escalated quickly". Shouldn't there be maybe a simple check from a non-armed individual (I'm thinking a nice gentleman or lady in business attire - an investigator). Seems like most people will gladly help the police if they are kind and courteous. Then if that doesn't work out, bring in standard officers (no SWAT), to discuss matters but without breaking into a house. There still seems like there should be many levels of escalation before a SWAT is called. Only if some sort of armed conflict occurs then a SWAT team is probably necessary and called in with proper escalation procedures. Why jump straight to armed conflict mode by bringing in a SWAT? Heck, I would even wager to say that RIGHT before a SWAT is called if you warn the individuals that if they don't comply, a SWAT will be called, then just the warning will be enough. Still I can't stress enough, that there should be escalation procedures. Long escalation procedures.
Tuna-Fish 13y ago
Because the person who gets to make the call is often either someone on the team, or someone who is likely friends with the members of the team, who is not fiscally responsible for the optimal use of resources, and because the officers get paid more for high-risk jobs (such as SWAT raids).

by mr_luc 13y ago

pmorici 13y ago

The old saying "when you've got a hammer everything looks like a nail" comes to mind. If you have a full time SWAT team but only need them legitimately 6% of the time what do you do with the rest of their time? In these cases it looks like the Police department's solution is to just use them for inappropriate stuff when there isn't anything better to do.

D9u 13y ago
In my area we have SERT police who are also regular police officers who do normal duty unless the SERT team is called up.

jkeel 13y ago

That's what I'd like to know too? I'm reminded of the old line I hear of "well, that escalated quickly". Shouldn't there be maybe a simple check from a non-armed individual (I'm thinking a nice gentleman or lady in business attire - an investigator). Seems like most people will gladly help the police if they are kind and courteous. Then if that doesn't work out, bring in standard officers (no SWAT), to discuss matters but without breaking into a house. There still seems like there should be many levels of escalation before a SWAT is called. Only if some sort of armed conflict occurs then a SWAT team is probably necessary and called in with proper escalation procedures. Why jump straight to armed conflict mode by bringing in a SWAT? Heck, I would even wager to say that RIGHT before a SWAT is called if you warn the individuals that if they don't comply, a SWAT will be called, then just the warning will be enough. Still I can't stress enough, that there should be escalation procedures. Long escalation procedures.

Tuna-Fish 13y ago

Because the person who gets to make the call is often either someone on the team, or someone who is likely friends with the members of the team, who is not fiscally responsible for the optimal use of resources, and because the officers get paid more for high-risk jobs (such as SWAT raids).