Police Services
SWAT
History
The City of Sunnyside Police Department SWAT Team was started in 1991. At that time, the members of the team provided much of the equipment that was needed and was comprised solely of an entry team. At this early stage, the members of the team volunteered their time for training, and were only used as a high risk warrant service team. The team was started because a number of officers in the department believed that there was a need for a high risk warrant service team due to the rise in drug related and gang related crime.
Today the team is a fully functional, multi-jurisdictional SWAT team, funded by the department. The team consists of an Entry Team, Marksman, and Negotiators. The Team is a “part-time” team, meaning that membership in the SWAT team is a specialty assignment which is an addition to the primary duty and responsibility of the team member.
Deployment
The mission of the SWAT Team is to provide the citizens under the jurisdictions of the participating agencies with trained personnel and resources to work as a coordinated unit to resolve unusual situations without the loss of life. It is recognized that, due to the actions of the suspect/subject, not all situations may end without the loss of life. In situations which become life-threatening because of actions by the suspect/subject, the goal will be one of preserving the life of innocent citizens and the police.
This team is activated for tactical missions such as high risk warrant service, high-risk arrest, barricaded subjects, hostage situations and any other situations which are beyond the normal capabilities and training of the patrol division or the requesting agency.
The team has been utilized by nearby surrounding jurisdictions, local drug task forces, the DEA, FBI, and ATF for tactical missions.
Training
After passing a selection process for the team, each team member must attend Basic SWAT Training as provided by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Additionally, if a team membe
r is selected for a specialty position within the team, such as: marksman or negotiator, the team member must pass those training courses as provided by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
The team trains on a regular basis in the areas of slow and deliberate searching, dynamic and hostage rescue entries, marksmanship, immediate actions drills, NFDD (noise flash diversionary device), active shooter scenarios, vehicle assaults, officer down rescue, defensive tactics, and tactical movement.
Equipment
Team members are issued utility uniforms; various protective gear; load bearing equipment and they are armed with their duty sidearms (9mm, .40, .45) and Colt rifles (.223) & submachine guns (9mm) with tactical lights.
The team also has bullet resistant tactical shields, night vision devices, noise flash diversionary devices (NFDD), rams and breaching tools. The team employs 12 gauge impact munitions and chemical agents (OC, CS) in 12 gauge and 37mm launchers.
Negotiators have available to them a crisis response throw phone that can be deployed by the entry team.
The team has a deployment vehicle that also serves as the department mobile command center if needed.
