Important Facts About SWAT Team Members
| Required Education | High school diploma or GED; a postsecondary degree could be required |
| Key Skills | Critical decision-making, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, calm under pressure |
| Similar Occupations | Police officer, detective, corrections officer |
| Work Environment | Outdoor setting, with occasional travel |
| Job Outlook (2021-2031) | 3% growth (for all police and sheriff's patrol officers) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Tuition Reimbursement
Special training is necessary for SWAT team members. Many departments pay for some or all of the training and tuition for law enforcement degrees, and they pay higher salaries to SWAT team members once the members have earned their degree.
Other Benefits and Compensation
Benefit packages usually include medical and life insurance, sick leave, paid vacation and an allowance for uniforms. Liberal pension plans allow some SWAT team members to retire after 25 years of service.
Job Requirements
As a SWAT team member, you work full-time at your day-to-day area within the department, which might be patrol or detective work. You are called to action when there is a situation with a higher level of danger requiring crisis intervention. You must have excellent firearm skills, be in top physical condition and be cross-trained for SWAT team duties including negotiation and assault skills.
SWAT team members work 40-hour weeks on round-the-clock shifts. Beginning SWAT team members frequently work holidays, evenings and weekends. Working on a SWAT team is dangerous and stressful in nature, not only because of the violent confrontations which are part of SWAT team work but also because of frequent exposure to suffering and death.
