Iceland
As a former law enforcement officer in Iceland, I can state that Icelandic SWAT teams are, perhaps surprisingly, among the best trained in Europe. They have good connections with Scandinavian countries in relation to training and information sharing. Granted that Iceland is not exactly a prime target for active international terrorism, and less likely to become embroiled in the types of aforementioned hijackings, the state's readiness to respond with SWAT teams is usually only tested in response to incidents involving small firearms in the country's towns and cities. Yet, as demonstrated by the very existence of a SWAT team, Iceland is prepared to manage any hostage crisis, be it aviation related or otherwise.
• Narcotics raids • Transportation of high risk individuals - if someone needs to be transported and there is a high chance of an assassination attempt on their life, a SWAT team armoured vehicle can serve as protection
A SWAT team typically consists of 20-30 officers that provide specialist support to police colleagues. In an average SWAT team there is a lieutenant, three sergeants, 19 SWAT officers and six marksmen.
Duties and Responsibilities Terminology commonly used in the United States to describe members of a SWAT team is:
SWAT Commander: The SWAT team commander is responsible for presenting tactical
the safe resolution of an incident. Additional responsibilities range from selection and training of SWAT team members to maintaining administrative and logistical records.
Team Leader: The SWAT team leader is a senior SWAT team officer who has been selected to command the entry in high risk situations.
Credit: EINAR International Protection Agency
SWAT Operations The main goal of the SWAT team is to provide safety and security for civilians and police personnel while reducing the possibility of injuries or death during high risk incidents, such as those involving: • Snipers • Armed and / or barricaded suspects - when criminals barricade themselves inside a building, possibly with weapons that are fired out at police or civilians, a SWAT team can launch a powerful assault to end the stand-off
• High-risk arrests – if the police are going to conduct an arrest and know the person is likely to be armed, they will call the SWAT team to perform the arrest
• Hostages - SWAT team snipers are trained to take out an attacker who is holding hostages, in the event that negotiations break down
• Civil disturbances, including riots • Counter-terrorism operations
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Team Member: An officer trained in the use of Special Weapons and Tactics who is utilised in various capacities which include: inner perimeter security, building entry, suspect apprehension, hostage rescue, team security, delivery of chemical agents, anti-sniper techniques and dignitary protection.
Scouts: A two man team that is sent out ahead of the main body of the team to ascertain any information that will assist in the safe deployment of the team.
Utility Man: The Utility Man carries additional equipment and a fully stocked backpack and is considered rear security for the team. He is armed with a shotgun to deploy chemical weapons and breaching rounds.
Breacher: Team members that are responsible for forcibly opening secured doors and clearing blocked avenues of entrance for the SWAT team to make their entry.
Gas Team: Two man team that Download your FREE ASI "iPad/iPhone APP" NOW operations for Credit: EINAR International Protection Agency
deploys gas into a building, in order to facilitate entry.
Marksman: A SWAT team officer trained in the use of a scoped rifle.
SWAT Team Recruitment Officers have to pass a variety of physical fitness tests once they have been selected as a candidate. These include timed runs of about 25 km, sprints of 400 metres, sit-ups, push-ups various weightlifting exercises. They must be able to perform a certain number of repetitions, meet set time limits and lift a minimum weight in order to pass these tests. Candidates are tested on various
firearms skills, including rapid fire sequences, shooting on the move and shooting at moving targets. They must also display knowledge about the mechanics of many different types of weapons.
Interviews with a selection review
board helps to gain insight into candidates’ ability to think quickly and establish whether they have the correct personality type to become a SWAT team member. A psychological evaluation shows their ability to handle stressful situations and reveals their level of self-confidence.
Einar Haraldsson, is CEO and Owner of EINAR-International Protection Agency (EIPA) in the Philippines. He has 33 years experience in the field He is a former Law Enforcement Officer in Iceland and is now a Close Protection Officer.
April 2012 Aviationsecurityinternational
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