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FBI Special Weapons and Tactics (FBI SWAT) Teams are specialized part-time SWAT teams of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI maintains SWAT teams at each of its 55 field offices throughout the United States.cite-ref-cirg-3-1[3] Each team is composed of a varying number of certified SWAT operators, dependent on office size and funding.

In 2022, SWAT teams had approximately 1,600 callouts.cite-ref-fbi50-2-1[2]

• History

• Roles

• SWAT Operations Unit

• Enhanced SWAT teams

• Equipment

• Weapons

• Vehicles

• In popular culture

• References

• External links

Following the Wounded Knee Occupation in 1973, the FBI established a SWAT program.cite-ref-fbi50-2-2[2]cite-ref-botting-4-0[4] In the summer of 1973, six field offices Albuquerque, Denver, Kansas City, Omaha, Phoenix and Washington, established SWAT teams of five members.cite-ref-fbi50-2-3[2] The teams went to the FBI Academy at Quantico to train for a few weeks with the FBI Firearms Training Unit and also spent some time with military Special Forces.cite-ref-fbi50-2-4[2]cite-ref-botting-4-1[4]

FBI SWAT teams are specially trained to serve warrants and intervene in high-risk incidents such as active shooters, barricaded suspects, or protection for personnel or dignitaries.cite-ref-gao-20-710-1-4[1]cite-ref-5[5]cite-ref-6[6]cite-ref-7[7]

FBI SWAT teams are trained to a national standard and utilize the same equipment which enables a team to provide assistance to another Field Office Team.cite-ref-cirg-3-2[3] SWAT teams can be dispatched to aid local law enforcement with limited resources to manage large-scale high-risk incidents.

Several factors can determine the deployment of FBI SWAT. Some of those factors are:

• The potential of violence

• The potential risk to law enforcement and the public

• The location of the warrant service and case requirementscite-ref-buffalo-8-0[8]

The SWAT Operations Unit (SOU), part of the Critical Incident Response Group, oversees the FBI SWAT program.cite-ref-cirg-3-3[3] The SOU is responsible for developing standardized training, procedures and tactics, and for research and development including equipment, for the SWAT teams to ensure interoperability for multiple-office deployments. During multiple-office deployments the SOU provides planning assistance and oversight.cite-ref-cirg-3-4[3]

Candidates for SWAT teams have to pass selection which includes fitness and marksmanship assessments.cite-ref-9[9]cite-ref-fbi50-2-5[2] SWAT selectees then have to complete a ten-day course over 10 weeks known as the New Operator Training School (NOTS) after which they are able to serve on a SWAT team, but not on every aspect of operations, such as room entries.cite-ref-fbisanjuan-10-0[10] After a probationary period that may last six to eighteen months, the new team members are sent to SWAT Basic a three week course at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico for full certification.cite-ref-fbisanjuan-10-1[10]cite-ref-fbi50-2-6[2] SWAT teams train on average 32 hours a month.cite-ref-gao-20-710-1-5[1]

Nine FBI SWAT teams are designated as "Enhanced" SWAT teams and are specially trained to be able to assist/augment the full-time national Hostage Rescue Team if needed.cite-ref-atlanta-swat-11-0[11] Enhanced SWAT teams are typically located at larger field offices and comprise a larger number of personnel than standard teams, in addition to having increased access to additional tactical equipment and methods. cite-ref-fbi-enhanced-swat-12-0[12]

FBI SWAT is known to use the Remington 870, various Glock models (17 Gen4, 19M, 20), SIG Sauer P226, and Springfield Armory 1911 Professional Custom.cite-ref-fbi-tools-of-trade-13-0[13]cite-ref-fbi-weapon-history-14-0[14]cite-ref-fbi-swat-springfield-15-0[15] SWAT uses Colt M4 carbines which have replaced the Heckler & Koch MP5/10.cite-ref-16[16] Sniper rifles include the H-S Precision .308 rifle which replaced the Remington 700 rifle.cite-ref-17[17]

FBI SWAT also uses ballistic shields, stun grenades, enforcer battering rams, sledgehammers, Halligan bars, and gas masks, among other equipment.cite-ref-fbi-tools-of-trade-13-1[13]

FBI SWAT uses a variety of armored SWAT vehicles, including the Lenco BearCat, Humvee, various MRAP models such as the Oshkosh Alpha, and occasionally tracked armored personnel carriers. A variety of civilian-style vehicles are also used when necessary (such as to avoid attention), often unmarked SUVs, vans, or pickup trucks produced by subsidiaries of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis.cite-ref-18[18]cite-ref-19[19]

In film and television, FBI SWAT appears in films such as Face/Off (1997), The Town (2010), S.W.A.T.: Firefight (2011), Sicario (2015), and S.W.A.T.: Under Siege (2017), and television shows such as FBI, Criminal Minds and The Blacklist (2013).

FBI SWAT also appears in several video games, such as SWAT 4 (2005), Payday 2 (2013), Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege (2015), Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands (2017), Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint (2019), and Ready or Not (2021).

cite-note-gao-20-710-11. Federal Tactical Teams: Characteristics, Training, Deployments, and Inventory (PDF) (Report). United States Government Accountability Office. September 10, 2020. GAO-20-710. Retrieved 25 January 2021.

cite-note-fbi50-22. "SWAT at 50: FBI tactical teams evolve to meet threats". Federal Bureau of Investigation. December 12, 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2024.

cite-note-cirg-33. "Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG)". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved 15 August 2020.

cite-note-botting-44. ↑ citerefbotting2008Botting, James (2008). Bullets, Bombs, and Fast Talk : Twenty-five Years of FBI War Stories. Potomac Books. p. 20. ISBN 9781597972444.

cite-note-55. ↑ citerefjames2015James, Nathan (September 3, 2015). Federal Tactical Teams (Report). Congressional Research Service. CRS Report for Congress, R44179. Retrieved 25 January 2021.

cite-note-66. ↑ "Up Close with an FBI SWAT Team Agent". FBI. 2008-11-17. Retrieved 2011-01-25.

cite-note-77. ↑ "FBI SWAT Teams Join in Terror Simulation". FBI. 16 September 2005. Archived from the original on January 10, 2008.

cite-note-buffalo-88. ↑ "Buffalo FBI". Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved 2008-02-09.

cite-note-99. ↑ "Tactics". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved 27 July 2024.

cite-note-fbisanjuan-1010. ↑ "Breaking Barriers: San Juan Agent Among the Few Pioneering Black Women Selected for FBI SWAT". Federal Bureau of Investigation. July 23, 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2024.

cite-note-atlanta-swat-1111. ↑ "Our People and Capabilities". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Archived from the original on 7 October 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2011.

cite-note-fbi-enhanced-swat-1212. ↑ "Enhanced Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Operative Careers". FBI Career Education. FBI Agent EDU. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2024.

cite-note-fbi-tools-of-trade-1313. ↑ "Tools of the Trade - SWAT". FBI. Retrieved 2022-12-09.

cite-note-fbi-weapon-history-1414. ↑ citerefsuciuSuciu, Peter. "Firearms of the FBI: A Historical Overview". Safariland. 2025 Safariland, LLC. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

cite-note-fbi-swat-springfield-1515. ↑ citerefthompsonThompson, Leroy. "Choice of the FBI HRT: Springfield Armory Professional". SWATMAG.com. Paladin Inc, dba S.W.A.T. Magazine. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

cite-note-1616. ↑ citerefvanderpool2013Vanderpool, Bill (30 September 2013). "'Bring Enough Gun:' A History Of The FBI's Long Arms". American Rifleman. National Rifle Association. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

cite-note-1717. ↑ citerefvanderpool2018Vanderpool, Bill (21 August 2018). "FBI Sniper Rifles Through The Years". Gun Digest. Gun Digest Media. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

cite-note-1818. ↑ "FBI SWAT Vehicles". SWAT Vehicles. The Armored Group. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

cite-note-1919. ↑ citerefwilliam-irvin-lewis2023William Irvin Lewis (19 January 2023). "These 10 SWAT Armored Vehicles Are Bad-Ass Tools for a Dangerous Job". Motortrend. © Hearst Autos, Inc. Retrieved 17 July 2025.

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FBI Special Weapons and Tactics

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