SWAT

The Southwest Washington Regional SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) Team was established in 1998 through the integration of the tactical units from the Vancouver Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. The combined unit began operating as a single, cohesive team while a formal memorandum of understanding was developed between the two agencies. Team assignments within the unit are determined by experience, expertise, and demonstrated ability, without regard to the member’s employing agency.

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Mission

The mission of the Southwest Washington Regional SWAT Team is to provide specialized tactical support to law enforcement agencies across the region during critical incidents. These situations may include:

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  • Hostage situations
  • Barricaded suspects
  • High-risk apprehensions
  • Sniper incidents
  • High-risk warrant service
  • Any other scenario requiring specialized equipment, advanced tactics, or coordinated team response

Training and Operational Readiness

To maintain the highest level of operational preparedness, SWAT members undergo approximately 200 hours of training each year. This training includes:

  • Firearms qualifications
  • Room clearing and search techniques
  • Coordinated team movement drills
  • Unarmed defensive tactics
  • Deployment and use of chemical and less-lethal munitions
  • Land navigation skills
  • Crowd control operations

In addition to training, all team members are required to successfully complete a physical fitness assessment twice annually to ensure they meet the physical demands of tactical operations.

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Leadership and Structure

The team is jointly led by two Commanders — one from the Vancouver Police Department and one from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office — who share command responsibilities and oversee all aspects of team operations.

The SWAT team also incorporates a range of specialized support, including:

  • Tactical medics to provide emergency medical care in high-risk environments
  • Crisis negotiators to assist in peaceful resolutions of critical incidents
  • The Metro Explosives Disposal Unit, which handles incidents involving hazardous or explosive devices

All Southwest Washington Regional SWAT Team members serve in this specialized capacity while continuing to fulfill their primary duties within their respective law enforcement agencies.