SWAT Team
The Sheriff’s S.W.A.T. Team responds to tactical situations that are deemed high risk and/or require specialized training, expertise, and equipment. The team’s ultimate goal is a non-violent resolution to each deployment.
View the SWAT Team Photo Gallery where SWAT team members are in action.
Examples of some of the deployments of S.W.A.T. are:
- High Risk Warrant Service
- Barricaded Suspects
- Hostage Rescue
- Extraordinary/Rapid Deployment
- VIP/Dignitary Protection
- High risk prisoner transport
- Court Security/High-risk trials
- Civil Disturbances
- Jail Riots
- Man tracking (Escapees)
The Sheriff’s S.W.A.T. Team provides tactical support for other divisions within the Sheriff’s Office, as well as, to other agencies. The team strives to maintain the highest level of readiness through extensive training and preparedness.
The S.W.A.T. Team is partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, ATF, and the Memphis Police Department with Project Safe Neighborhood. This initiative targets felons who commit crime with firearms. The focus of the team is to use all available investigative means to remove the most violent individuals in the county from our community.
Members of the S.W.A.T. Team are required to maintain the highest standard of physical fitness, and firearms. New members are required to have two years patrol experience, pass the S.W.A.T. Team physical fitness test, and score a 95 or better on the P.O.S.T. firearm course to be considered. The applicant must successfully complete a four-week basic/advanced S.W.A.T. School. The team presently has 12 full time members.
Bomb Squad - Mission
The Bomb Squad will render safe and/or remove suspected improvised explosive devices, incendiary devices, explosives, explosive chemicals (as currently defined by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) pyrotechnics and ammunition.
The Bomb Squad provides for legal, proper and safe transportation, disposal and/or storage of explosives and other referred to above.
The Bomb Squad conducts post blast crime scene investigations, collect and preserve evidence and provide technical support to special operations.
Request for mutual aid to agencies outside this jurisdiction will be authorized by the department head through formal mutual aid agreements with bona fide law enforcement, fire department or federal agencies.
S.W.A.T. Team Makes a TV Commercial
S.W.A.T. Team Competition Information:
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office S.W.A.T. Team participated in the 2006 Original World SWAT Competition. They placed a respective 13th overall against top notch S.W.A.T. Teams from all over the world.
View a new Photo Gallery of the Shelby County Sheriff's S.W.A.T team in this World Competition. 2006 World Photos
The 10th Annual Southeast Regional S.W.A.T. competition, sponsored by ORIGINAL S.W.A.T. Footwear Co. (website: www.originalswat.com ) was held September 10 - 14, 2007 at Memphis Motorsports Park.