Policy Text
Policy
404San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentRegional SWAT Team - 1Regional SWAT Team
404.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Name of your jurisdiction: Regional SWAT Team is comprised of two specialized teams: the
Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT). The unit is
comprised of members from the following Police Agencies: Name of your jurisdiction: Police, Paso
Robles Police, Arroyo Grande Police, Pismo Beach Police, Grover Beach Police, Morro Bay Police
and Cal Poly Police. The unit has been established to provide specialized support in handling
critical field operations where intense negotiations and/or special tactical deployment methods
beyond the capacity of field officers appear to be necessary. This policy is written to comply with
the guidelines established in the Attorney General's Commission on Special Weapons and Tactics
Report (September 2002) and the POST 2005 SWAT Operational Guidelines and Standardized
Training Recommendations ( Penal Code § 13514.1).
404.1.1 OPERATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY
The Regional S.W.A.T. Operational Manual was adopted by the Chief's of Police for all the
participating agencies in July of 2009. The Operations Manual establishes and maintains a level
of understanding between all participating agencies about the rules, regulations, and expectations
that apply to all regional S.W.A.T. team members. The Operations Manual outlines policy and
procedure in the following areas:
1. Administration and Personnel
2. Operations
3. Reporting Requirements
4. Performance Standards
5. Equipment
Since situations that necessitate the need for such a police response vary greatly from incident to
incident and such events often demand on-the-scene evaluation, the Operational Policy outlined
in the manual serves as a guideline to department personnel allowing for appropriate on scene
decision making as required. The administrative procedures, however, are more restrictive and
few exceptions should be taken.
404.1.2 SWAT TEAM DEFINED
A SWAT team is a designated unit of law enforcement officers that is specifically trained and
equipped to work as a coordinated team to resolve critical incidents that are so hazardous,
complex, or unusual that they may exceed the capabilities of first responders or investigative units
including, but not limited to, hostage taking, barricaded suspects, snipers, terrorist acts and other
high-risk incidents. As a matter of department policy, such a unit may also be used to serve high-
risk warrants, both search and arrest, where public and officer safety issues warrant the use of
such a unit.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Regional SWAT Team
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentRegional SWAT Team - 2404.3 POLICY
It shall be the policy of this Department to participate in the Name of your jurisdiction: Regional
SWAT team in compliance with the Regional SWAT Agreement and operational guidelines.
404.3.1 POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
A needs assessment should be conducted to determine the type and extent of SWAT missions and
operations appropriate to this department. The assessment should consider the team's capabilities
and limitations and should be reviewed annually by the SWAT Commander or his/her designee.
404.4 TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT
The SWAT/CRU Commander shall conduct an annual SWAT Training needs assessment to
ensure that training is conducted within team capabilities, department policy and the training
guidelines as established by POST (11 C.C.R. § 1084).
404.4.1 INITIAL TRAINING
SWAT team operators and SWAT supervisors/team leaders should not be deployed until
successful completion of the POST-certified Basic SWAT Course or its equivalent.
(a) To avoid unnecessary or redundant training, previous training completed by members
may be considered equivalent when the hours and content (topics) meet or exceed
department requirements or POST standardized training recommendations.
404.4.2 UPDATED TRAINING
Appropriate team training for the specialized SWAT functions and other supporting resources
should be completed prior to full deployment of the team.
SWAT team operators and SWAT supervisors/team leaders should complete update or refresher
training as certified by POST, or its equivalent, every 24 months.
404.4.3 SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT TRAINING
Command and executive personnel are encouraged to attend training for managing the SWAT
function at the organizational level to ensure personnel who provide active oversight at the scene
of SWAT operations understand the purpose and capabilities of the teams.
Command personnel who may assume incident command responsibilities should attend SWAT or
Critical Incident Commander course or its equivalent. SWAT command personnel should attend
a POST-certified SWAT commander or tactical commander course, or its equivalent.
404.4.4 SWAT ONGOING TRAINING
Training shall be coordinated by the CRU Commander. The CRU Commander may conduct
monthly training exercises that include a review and critique of personnel and their performance
in the exercise in addition to specialized training. Training shall consist of the following:
(a)Each SWAT member shall perform a physical fitness test twice each year. A minimum
qualifying score must be attained by each team member.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Regional SWAT Team
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentRegional SWAT Team - 3(b)Any SWAT team member failing to attain the minimum