A Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team is a designated law enforcement unit. Members are recruited, selected, trained, equipped and assigned to resolve critical incidents involving a threat to public safety that would otherwise exceed the capabilities of traditional law enforcement, first responders and/or investigative units.
The primary duty of a SWAT Team is to save lives.
The Weld County Regional SWAT Team was formed in 2005. The SWAT Team is comprised of individuals from different municipalities throughout Weld County and is organized by the Weld County Sheriff’s Office. The Eaton, Evans, Firestone, Garden City, Milliken, Severance and Windsor police departments all contribute personnel to the SWAT Team.
The SWAT Team trains to the standards of the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA). The SWAT Team is comprised of approximately 40 officers who serve in a variety of positions including operators, command staff, negotiators, snipers and medics.
The SWAT Team utilizes special equipment such as “Rescue 1” to protect the citizens of Weld County. Rescue 1 is a decommissioned military MRAP that was obtained free of charge in 2014 through the military 1033 Act. While Rescue 1 is operated by the SWAT Team, its primary function is rescue. It has been utilized multiple times to aid residents of Weld County during extreme weather and emergency incidents.
Deputies and officers who aspire to be on the SWAT Team are required to be Colorado POST certified and must be employed with an agency within Weld County. Among a multitude of steps in the testing process, SWAT Team applicants must pass physical fitness requirements to test onto the team. Once selected for the team, members are then required to pass the same test bi-annually to maintain their position on the SWAT Team.