S.W.A.T - Special Weapons and Tactics Team

The West County Special Weapons and Tactics Team (S.W.A.T.) is the result of a regionalized effort combining the resources of the Cypress, Fountain Valley, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach and Westminster Police Department’s. This regional approach provides improved police services to critical incidents for all of the participating cities.

West County S.W.A.T. enhances critical response by combining tactical operators (S.W.A.T.), Tactical Emergency Medical Services (T.E.M.S.), Crisis Negotiation Teams (C.N.T.) and Tactical Dispatch services.

The West County S.W.A.T. Team is a resource trained to respond to violent, critical incidents that require specialized training and equipment. West County S.W.A.T. utilizes tactics that may resolve hazardous operations with an emphasis on safety to citizens, officers, and suspects.

Officers assigned to West County S.W.A.T. are required to meet rigorous standards in the areas of physical fitness, mental discipline and weapons use. Members must be able to successfully carry out a tactical operation plan under highly stressful and adverse conditions. An often asked question is whether or not the S.W.A.T. Team is a full time assignment. The answer is no. All involved personnel do so as a collateral duty assignment and must complete a battery of tests to qualify for a position on the team.

The primary goal of the West County S.W.A.T. Team is risk reduction and the protection of life and property. This is accomplished through extensive and continuous training of personnel, through the application of established policies, and through the implementation of sound tactics and operational procedures.

We are often asked why does Cypress need a S.W.A.T Team. The team is utilized to execute high-risk search and arrest warrants. Additionally, situations involving hostages, entry into a building involving armed subjects, active shooter or sniper incidents, riotous crowds, and extended negotiations with an armed subject help reduce the risk to the community and protect life and property.

West County S.W.A.T. is made up of nine elements:

Primary Entry Team - Primary purpose is to enter and secure a structure in either a dynamic or a covert fashion. The Entry Team is typically utilized as a last resort, with the exception of a deliberate pre-planned entry such as a narcotics search warrant service. The primary entry team is a deliberate entry team.

Crisis Entry Team - Primary purpose is to pre-stage near the target location ready to provide immediately entry while a deliberate plan is being developed, and practiced by the Primary Entry Team.

React Team - Primary purpose is to be prepared for any sudden or unanticipated action by the suspect. This team provides both lethal and less-than-lethal options immediately to the front of the target location. React will also serve as an arrest team should the suspect choose to surrender early on. This team will also provide intelligence gathering and communications relay from their containment position.

Long Rifle Team - Primary purpose is to be prepared to resolve a crisis situation by means of a well placed shot. Secondary purpose is ongoing real-time intelligence gathering and reporting. In order for them to accomplish their primary purpose, they must not be assigned activities that take them out of position or off their guns. They can accomplish their secondary purpose while in position and on their guns.

Containment Team - Primary purpose is to contain the scene and to prevent the suspect from escaping. The Containment Team may provide other support such as gas deployment, breaching and porting, or providing a secondary entry point.

Waterborne Team - Primary purpose is to be prepared to resolve a crisis situation that is located in water. West County S.W.A.T. is responsible for one harbor and several miles of shoreline. This team is proficient in all S.W.A.T. team tactics as well as being S.C.U.B.A. certified.

Specialty Team - The Specialty Team provides support such as gas deployment, breaching and porting, evacuation, phone and other item delivery, vehicle disabling, delivery of LSDD, scout/recon or providing a secondary entry point.

Tactical Dispatch - The duties and responsibilities of a Tactical Dispatcher are extensive. Each Tactical Dispatcher is specially trained and responsible for responding to and supporting the field operations units involved in high-risk incidents.

Crisis Negotiations Team - The West County SWAT Team operates under the known fact that most critical incidents will be resolved through negotiation tactics. The West County SWAT Team will support negotiations and ensure that a strong working relationship is maintained with the Crisis Negotiations Team.