SWAT (“Special Weapons  And Tactics”) is a commonly used proper name for law enforcement units, which use military-style light weapons and specialized tactics in high-risk operations that fall outside of the capabilities of regular, uniformed police. “SWAT” is commonly used internationally, as a colloquial, generic term for these units.

Their duties include: confronting heavily armed criminals; performing hostage rescue and counter-terrorism operations; high-risk arrests; and entering armored or barricaded buildings. Such units are often equipped with specialized firearms including sub-machine guns, assault rifles, breaching shotguns, sniper rifles, riot control agents, and stun grenades. They have specialized equipment including heavy body armor, ballistic shields, entry tools, armored vehicles, advanced night vision optics, and motion detectors for covertly determining the positions of hostages or hostage takers, inside enclosed structures.

Members of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team come from various areas within our Agency. These highly trained and specialized Deputies have all volunteered to be in the unit. The selection and training process is strict and highly competitive. All SWAT team members train continuously in case they are needed, any time, any place.