The Columbus Division of Police SWAT team
is one of very few full-time SWAT teams within the United States. The section
was created in 1974 with the primary mission of addressing hostage and
barricade situations. In addition to their primary mission, SWAT members also
serve violent felony warrants, conduct robbery stakeouts, perform dignitary and
witness protection as well as other high-risk operations. The section is
currently staffed with 26 full-time SWAT officers and 10 part-time hostage
negotiators, who perform other police functions throughout the Division of
Police when not actively involved in hostage negotiation duties. SWAT responds
to approximately 50 hostage/barricades and serves approximately 100 search
warrants each year. In addition, SWAT personnel make over 400 arrests each
year, most for violent felonies. SWAT personnel are on call 24 hours a day,
seven days a week to be able to respond to any incident or crisis requiring a
specialized tactical response.
The Columbus SWAT team prides itself on
being the best SWAT team in the nation. To maintain this designation the SWAT
section dedicates much of their time to training. All SWAT personnel regularly
train on core skills including building entry and marksmanship, while smaller
groups within the unit additionally train on many other specialized tasks to
successfully fulfil the section mission.