City of Upland, CA

The Upland Police Department S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons And Tactics) team was formed in 1990 in response to a growing number of potentially violent incidents that your officers were called upon to handle. Of primary concern was the number of search warrants generated by the Narcotics Task Force and the growing number of loaded firearms that were being recovered as those warrants were served.

Irrespective of the problems associated with narcotics search warrants, it was also recognized that patrol officers were having to deal with armed and barricaded suspects without having the capability of calling upon a specialized unit within the agency. Although at the time the department was capable of calling for specialized assistance from other agencies, such assistance can bring with it certain problems that could be mitigated by having the same capability within your own agency. It was known that any tactical team acts only within the limits of its training and the dictates of existing political dogma that surrounds its agency and team orientation. These problems were eliminated by forming, training, and maintaining our own tactical team. Departmental responsibility and city liability were the key issues.

There have been occasions since the S.W.A.T. team was formed when they were called upon to take over tactical situations that were deemed to be overly hazardous for patrol officers. Knowing the abilities of and having confidence in a team is essential during these situations. We have found that our Team has the ability to take control of a situation and bring it to a conclusion in the most effective means available.

Since the formation of the team, through its constant training in tactics, specialized weaponry, team movement, and organizational unity, have brought with it a built-in measure of safety that cannot compare with any other unit within the agency. Because safety is the primary objective of any tactical unit, it is a large part of anything that our team does whether in training or during an actual operation.

With respect to the high-risk entries associated with narcotics search warrants, it is obvious that on most occasions the greatest danger is dealing with the unknown. There are several things that we do know about people who deal in illicit drugs. They are often drug users themselves and they are desperate with respect to earning enough money to support their own narcotics habits. They are often paranoid, as a result of their narcotics usage, and they are rarely willing to go to jail. Recognizing these issues the team takes the necessary precautions to safeguard themselves to quickly and effectively subdue narcotics dealers and their associates.

The issue of changing demographics is one we cannot control, however, we must continue to monitor and make adjustments for them. As change continues and safety issues remain, the department finds it necessary to maintain a resource, upon which we can draw during those times when the normative approach is inadequate. The S.W.A.T. Team has proved itself to be a valuable means by which to bring dangerous situations to a safe conclusion. Without the availability of this asset, it is believed that officers may needlessly be faced with having to place themselves in jeopardy when they might not have to otherwise.

It is hoped that the S.W.A.T. Team will continue to serve the department in its efforts to provide a safe environment for the citizens of the community. It has done so time and again since its inception and is dedicated to doing so in the future.