Spartanburg Public Safety Department

Tactical Neutralization Team

The Spartanburg Public Safety Department’s tactical team (SWAT) was implemented in 1989 to handle certain hazardous incidents and situations outside of the normal function of the patrol division. These incidents may require specialized equipment and techniques that are beyond the daily norms for most police personnel.

The Spartanburg Public Safety Department’s Tactical team responds to high risk incidents, hostage situations, barricaded subjects, violent felony warrants, high risk warrants, all narcotic search warrants, VIP dignitary protection and any special assignment deemed necessary.

The Spartanburg Public Safety Department’s Tactical team is a part-time team and it is strictly voluntary. Our current team consists of 18 members which include a commander, an assistant commander, four medics and twelve team members. The tactical team is divided into two teams. The teams are on call every other week. There is a team leader and an assistant team leader assigned to each team.

The Spartanburg Public Safety Department’s Tactical team regularly responds to high risk incidents, hostage situations, barricaded subjects, violent felony warrants, high risk warrants, all narcotic search warrants, VIP dignitary protection and all special assignments deemed necessary by the Director of Public Safety.

Qualification Standards

A written notification is circulated throughout the agency which announces that tryouts are being held for new members. This gives everyone interested a chance to participate in the process. Officers that are interested must have the following pre-requisites to be eligible for the tryout process:

Officers must have two years of service with the Spartanburg Public Safety Department and have received no disciplinary actions or policy violations within the prior two years.

Officers that meet the pre-requisites will go through a selection process that includes an oral interview, a physical fitness test and firearms qualification. The physical fitness standards include push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, a 20 foot rope climb, obstacle course and 1 ½ mile run.

Each member must show a firearm proficiency of 90% or better in accordance to the Department’s firearms course. These standards must be maintained by the team member as long as they are a member of the tactical unit.