SWAT

The Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T) Team is an organizational component of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department. The S.W.A.T. Team is a collateral duty team, comprised of Deputy Sheriff’s whose primary duties are in other units throughout the Department, until needed for S.W.A.T. Training or Operations.

Mission Statement

The S.W.A.T. Team recognizes that operations requiring a S.W.A.T. response are focused on the life safety of all persons involved. Life safety follows the standard priority of life, with hostages being the first priority, followed by innocent civilians, first responders, and hostage takers or suspects respectively. The S.W.A.T. Team is committed to providing timely and appropriate responses to high risk and volatile situations that require the specialized training, equipment, capabilities and experience of the holistic team. The members strive to exceed proficiency in their individual and collective skillsets and demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of their roles within the team.

Unit Composition

During S.W.A.T. Training and S.W.A.T. Operations, members report to the S.W.A.T. Team Leadership. The S.W.A.T. Team leadership is comprised of the S.W.A.T. Commander, Assistant S.W.A.T. Commander, Tactical Team Leaders, and Support Team Leaders. The personnel assigned to the Team are identified as either Tactical Operators, or Support Officers.

Member Responsibilities

All Tactical Operators must complete a Basic S.W.A.T. Course, and may be assigned or permitted to attend specialized training focused on various additional duties. These duties include but are not limited to Observer and Marksman (SNIPER), Grenadier (Less Lethal), Breaching, and other duties as appropriate. Support Officers are assigned to roles that include but are not limited to Crisis Negotiator, Medical Support and Technology Support roles. Support Officers are required to attend training courses necessary for the fulfillment of their duty, and are required to familiarize with the duties of other Support Officers should they be called upon to assist outside of their primary functions during an operation.