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KPD S.W.A.T.
The Kissimmee
Police Department’s S.W.A.T. (Special
Weapons And
Tactics) Team was established in
October 1985. The team was called the Crisis
Intervention Unit, and consisted of nine members. In
1987, the name of the unit was changed to S.W.A.T.,
and it has since grown to its current strength of 22
members.
1 - Commander
1 - Deputy Team
Commander
2 - Team Leaders
2 - Assistant Team
Leaders
1 - Intelligence Officer
5 - Snipers
10 - Entry/Assault
Members
The mission of the
S.W.A.T. team is the same now as it was when the
unit was first established. The S.W.A.T. team is a
group of highly motivated personnel, who are trained
to resolve high-risk incidents, with a minimal loss
of human life. Examples of such high risk incidents
include, but are not limited to: Counter Sniper
incidents; barricaded suspects; hostage situations;
civil disorder; officer/citizen rescues; high risk
search and arrest warrants; fugitive searches; high
risk stakeouts, surveillance or decoy operations;
dignitary protection; and any other situation as
deemed appropriate by the S.W.A.T. Commander.
The S.W.A.T. team
trains together one day a month
for 11 hours along with
attending school. Training
varies between tactics and
firearms to maintain
proficiency. The Tactical Long
Rifle/Observer teams have an
additional training day
specifically related to their
unit’s mission. The entire team
trains annually with the Crisis
Negotiation Team, Osceola County
Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T. team
and Florida Highway Patrol
S.W.A.T. team. The team also
trains quarterly with other
Central Florida S.W.A.T. teams
as part of a Regional Task Force
to improve communications and
response times to any high-risk
incident occurring in the
Central Florida region.
The Kissimmee Police Department
aspires to give the citizens of
every community the utmost
professional and positive
services available. In order to
keep up with these ever-changing
violent times, it is necessary
to have a proficient and
flexible S.W.A.T. team. One of
the key philosophies is the team
concept. It is our belief, that
a small group of officers, who
train together regularly, will
produce successful results in
most high-risk scenarios.
This team
concept is the result of many
hours spent together training,
so that members may anticipate
each other’s movement without
having to communicate. They have
to be able to immediately adapt
to unforeseen situations,
without the loss of the
mission’s objective. They move
as one, with the expertise of
many. They are unquestionably
accountable to each other,
understanding that they must
strive to perform perfectly
during the mission, as their
team member’s life depends on
it.
Each member must without
question understand the mission,
the role of the team, their
individual role, and the
commitment required. When the
highest level of individual
ability is obtained in each of
these areas, then the team
concept has been fully realized.
When the Kissimmee Police
Department’s S.W.A.T. team was
formed, the members adopted a
motto, which represents the goal
and mindset of its members, from
the command staff on down. “Cum
omnia alia deficiunt,” which is
Latin for, “When all else
fails.” We believe that the use
of deadly force should only be
employed as a last resort. As
such, our planning and mission
objectives are oriented toward
resolving each situation,
without injury or loss of life.
We also
recognize that some of the
individuals that a S.W.A.T. team
will be confronted with, are not
concerned with anyone’s life,
including their own. Any and all
options will be considered.
However, when negotiations and
other tactics fail to bring
about compliance, the Kissimmee
Police S.W.A.T. team is prepared
to do whatever is necessary to
end the threat, and arrest or
capture the offender.
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