Police & S.W.A.T. Tactics (Compilation)

Simple History・2 minutes read

Police tactical units, like SWAT, are specialized teams resembling soldiers and trained to handle high-risk situations with military-grade weaponry, evolving over the years to adapt to changing threats. SWAT officers undergo intensive training, are selected based on specialized skills, and have been involved in significant operations showcasing their effectiveness.

Insights

  • SWAT units, initially formed in response to rising violence and organized crime in the 1960s, are specialized teams resembling soldiers, trained with military-grade weaponry to handle high-risk situations effectively.
  • The Gery policemen faced unjust detainment, torture, and false confessions, leading to harsh labor camp sentences, long-lasting physical and psychological effects, and unresolved criminal records, showcasing the lasting impact of such traumatic experiences on their lives and families.

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  • What are SWAT units?

    Specialized police teams resembling soldiers for high-risk situations.

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Summary

00:00

SWAT: Specialized Police Units Handling High-Risk Situations

  • Police tactical units, like SWAT, are specialized teams resembling soldiers more than regular police officers, trained to handle high-risk situations with military-grade weaponry.
  • The first SWAT unit was established in the United States in the 1960s, following a rise in violence and organized crime, particularly after incidents like the 1966 Austin shooting by Charles Whitman.
  • SWAT officers undergo intensive monthly training and are selected based on prior military experience and specialized skills in weaponry and tactics.
  • SWAT units have been involved in significant operations, such as the 1969 confrontation with the Black Panther Party and the 1974 incident with the Symbionese Liberation Army, showcasing their effectiveness.
  • The formation of SWAT led to the development of official rules of engagement focusing on threats like riots, sniper attacks, political assassinations, and urban guerrilla warfare.
  • SWAT units have evolved over the years, adapting their tactics and missions to address changing threats, such as the focus on counterterrorism post-9/11.
  • SWAT officers wear specialized gear, including ballistic vests and helmets, with modern units often opting for camouflage battle dress uniforms.
  • SWAT teams utilize a variety of weapons, including submachine guns, shotguns, sniper rifles, and pistols, with a focus on both lethal and non-lethal options depending on the scenario.
  • The structure of a SWAT team typically includes a sniper and observation team for overwatch, along with an entry team for clearing hostile areas, with team sizes varying based on mission requirements.
  • Recruitment and training for SWAT officers involve rigorous physical fitness standards, marksmanship skills, and specialized training in areas like explosives handling, surveillance techniques, and hostage negotiation.

16:25

Injustice and Trauma: Gzi Island Incident

  • 18 policemen were detained by the secret field police Orihime Fel Poai on the Gzi Island, equivalent to the Gestapo, and were interrogated, beaten, and tortured to confess.
  • The policemen were psychologically traumatized and blackmailed into confessing by threats to harm their families if they did not admit to various charges.
  • The policemen eventually confessed after being shown signed statements by others and being threatened with execution if they did not comply.
  • 16 out of the 18 policemen were sentenced to 8 months to 4 and 1/2 years of hard labor and deported to labor and concentration camps across Europe.
  • The surviving policemen faced horrific treatment in the camps, with one dying from his mistreatment.
  • Upon returning home after the war, the policemen suffered long-lasting physical and psychological effects, with some unable to work due to their health.
  • The policemen were promised criminal pardons that were never granted, leaving them with unjustified criminal records that affected their lives.
  • Eight of the policemen appealed their convictions, but were unsuccessful in clearing their names, although some received compensation for their suffering.
  • The families of the policemen continue to live with the unfair label of criminality, despite efforts to clear their names in 2018.
  • The legacy of the Gery policemen is remembered by Keith Friend, who referred to them as "Robin Hood" figures for their actions to help the hungry during the war.

31:44

Evolution of Riot Control Tactics

  • Riot shields are a crucial tool for controlling riots, typically made of clear plastic to provide unobstructed vision for officers while ensuring safety. Variants made of metal and ballistic materials are also available.
  • Modern riot police utilize tactics like the shield wall formation, historically used by armies with infantry equipped with shields, to create a psychological impact on rioters and disperse crowds effectively.
  • Riot suppression techniques have evolved to include various formations inspired by ancient military tactics, such as the Roman testudo formation, which protects officers from projectiles during civil unrest.
  • Law enforcement employs formations like the wedge formation to concentrate force on a single point, breaking the cohesion of attacking forces, and techniques like kettling to surround and arrest rioters, drawing from historical military strategies for effective crowd control.
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