SWAT Sniper

A sniper and spotter element with the Clovis Police Department Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT) team (in green) with a member of 27th Special Operations Wing Security Forces Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, during a training exercise, June 2012.

As with military police SWAT teams, Police SWAT teams typically feature a number of elements: sniper team, entry team, negotiators, k-9 teams and a command element.

Sniper teams, usually comprising a shooter and spotter, will set up an observation position from where they can keep a target location under surveillance.

Once deployed at their vantage point, the sniper teams build up an intelligence picture, keeping the command element apprised of the movements, routines, morale and disposition of any suspects or hostages inside that target building.

If the time comes for an intervention, the snipers will cover the entry team as they storm the objective and take out any threats as needed.