Federal Tactical Teams (CRS Report for Congress)
Premium Purchase PDF for $24.95 (30 pages)
add to cart or
subscribe for unlimited access
Pro Premium subscribers have free access to our full library of CRS reports.
Subscribe today, or
request a demo to learn more.
| Release Date |
Sept. 3, 2015 |
| Report Number |
R44179 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Nathan James, Analyst in Crime Policy |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
In 2014 and 2015, reports of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams used by law enforcement agencies in allegedly questionable raids or in what appeared to be aggressive responses to public disturbances generated interest among policymakers in federal tactical teams. There is no single source for data on federal tactical teams. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) surveyed federal agencies with law enforcement personnel to collect basic information on any tactical teams they maintain.
The number of tactical teams has proliferated among American law enforcement since the first SWAT team was formed by the Los Angeles Police Department in the 1960s. Research has shown that most law enforcement agencies now have a tactical team. Data also show that these teams are being deployed more frequently. As the acronym SWAT implies, such teams are deployed against particularly dangerous criminals and in challenging situations. This report provides baseline data on federal tactical teams.
Thirteen agencies that responded to a CRS questionnaire reported having 271 tactical teams. The federal-wide number is almost certainly higher, as the U.S. Park Police and the U.S. Capitol Police did not respond to CRS. Nearly all tactical teams (93%) are in agencies that are a part of the Department of Justice (213 teams) or the Department of Homeland Security (39 teams). A small proportion (2%) of all federal law enforcement officers serve on tactical teams, and for most of those who do, it is an ancillary duty. Data collected by CRS also suggest a 90% increase from 1,171 to 2,227 deployments by federal tactical teams between FY2005 and FY2014.
There are several issues policymakers might consider should Congress take up legislation or conduct oversight related to how federal agencies use tactical teams. Potential legislative issues include the following:
Is there a need to collect data on federal tactical teams? If so, what data should be collected, who should collect it, and how frequently should it be disseminated?
Should Congress place limits on when tactical teams can be deployed?
Should federal tactical operations be centralized in one agency?
Should federal tactical officers be required to participate in a basic training course that focuses on the skills necessary for participating on a tactical team? Should there be universal standards for the ongoing training of tactical officers?
Potential oversight issues include the following:
What types of operations are federal agencies conducting with their tactical teams?
Where are tactical officers receiving their training? What type of training are they receiving?
How are decisions made about when to deploy tactical teams?
What are the results of tactical operations?
