SWAT Team
The Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team is highly trained in specialized tactical operations and is deployed in high-risk situations in order to minimize the risk of injury or death to deputies and the public. The primary mission of the SWAT Team is to save lives. The unit is comprised of a Lieutenant Commander, two Sergeants, and 40 Operators. The Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team membership consists of deputies, officers and paramedics from the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Taylorsville Police, and the Unified Fire Authority. Team members are certified in diverse specialties including firearms instruction, explosive breaching, chemical munitions, less lethal force, emergency tactical medicine, and marksmen.
The SWAT Team had its busiest year ever in 2007 conducting or participating in a team record 55 operations including numerous search warrants and callouts. The team also assisted in one urban search and rescue operation. The team logged over 15,000 hours in training and operations.
The team received training in various specialized disciplines throughout the year including hostage rescue techniques, vehicle assaults, warrant service techniques, static and dynamic building clearing, explosive breaching, scouting and intelligence gathering, downed-officer rescues and barricaded suspect scenarios. The SWAT Team also assisted in training other office members in various tactical techniques.
In 2007, in cooperation with the Unified Fire Authority, the SWAT Team began a tactical paramedic program to further enhance the life-saving capabilities of the Team.