Warrants

• A judge grants a warrant to conduct a search of a suspect's premises or property, as well as to arrest a criminal suspect. When information on a suspect or search of the premises is considered a high-risk action, SWAT is called upon to serve the warrant. These high-risk situations can easily turn into a shooting match, and SWAT is trained in these situations.
  
  

Hostages

• Several times SWAT is called upon to handle a hostage situation. Considered a rescue mission, SWAT sets up a control center and attempts to resolve the hostage situation safely. Suspects generally barricade themselves and citizens within a building. SWAT places team members around the building and is trained to negotiate with the hostage taker. At times, SWAT must enter the building and attempt to rescue the hostages by terminating or taking down the hostage taker.
  
  

Security

• Many times when dignitaries come into a city, SWAT is called upon to provide security to the individual and any facilities he will visit. The SWAT team secures all the areas by stationing snipers and armed SWAT team members in strategic locations. The high-ranking official will also have SWAT team members provided that act as bodyguards.
  
  

Counterterrorism

• Terrorists perpetrate harm to citizens by placing explosives, chemical bombs or other hazardous material into places that people commonly visit or work. SWAT teams train in counterterrorism procedures to ensure that they can dispell or prevent these terrorist acts. The team members can train as snipers, bomb experts, communications specialists or other specialty skills used by SWAT to conduct counterterrorism.
  
  

Law Enforcement

• SWAT members are also police officers, game wardens, federal agents and other law enforcement officials. Part of the job description requires you to perform the duties assigned in those positions. The position can require you to patrol areas of the city, investigate different crimes as a detective, monitor the parks, lakes and recreation areas as a game warden or perform federal law enforcement duties. Most SWAT team members only serve part-time or when called upon during a high-risk situation.