| SCMPD's SWAT Team has a long and colorful history. The department’s first special operations team was made up of one Captain and 100 privates who’s main job was to capture chicken thieves after the Civil War!
Since then the unit has developed into one of the most respected in the nation. Made up of 25 officers, six Tactical Paramedics, and 10 Crisis Negotiators. SWAT is now called out on many critical incidents. These include hostage and barricaded gunmen situations, high-risk warrant service and even search and rescue.
SWAT has trained with many special operations teams including the FBI HRT, USMC SOTG/MEU, SEAL Team 4, 160th SOTF, and the U. S. Coast Guard.
Hostage Negotiations Team (HNT)
This specially trained team works with SWAT in crisis situations to bring about a peaceful resolution in extremely volatile situations.
The mission of HNT is to establish an ongoing dialog and rapport with the person or persons involved in the crisis situation. HNT gathers information on the people involved, compiles psychological profiles, interviews witnesses and provides intelligence analysis. Collectively this information helps the negotiator in building a rapport and dialog with the subject.
The team currently consists of sixteen members. Team members have received specialized training from the FBI, the GA Public Safety Training Center, and the Institute of Police Technology and Management. Several members hold a 3-phase certification in Hostage Negotiations from the International Association of Hostage Negotiators. Additionally, members receive inter-departmental training and participate in scenarios with the SWAT members. All members are skilled n the use of a Crisis and Rescue Phone and other specialized equipment, along with expertise in communications, active listening skills and intelligence analysis.
HNT responds to many callouts each year and also assists in the service of high risk search warrants. The vast majority of incidents are resolved without further injury or violence. The SCMPD Hostage Negotiation Team also responds to assist the neighboring municipalities and local agencies such as Savannah State University, Armstrong State University, and the Chatham County Board of Education.
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