Want to form a tactical team? Read on.

by William Harvey Reprinted from Police Magazine

Put yourself in this situation, you are a senior officer in a small- to medium-sized department. You don't have a tactical team. If you needed one, maybe the state would respond. But things are changing and your chief (or sheriff) calls you into their office and tasks you to start up an active-shooter response team or a rapid deployment team for your department. Where do you begin?

First and foremost, get clear direction from your leader. What is their definition of what you are to design? What are their desires? What is the department's commitment? Do you want a high-risk warrant team, an active-shooter response team or a Level II SWAT team? What do they envision and have the fortitude for? What will be the budget? How much latitude will you have to do what is right, safe and logical? Now you have clear directions to work with what are the next steps.
Next, contact your state's tactical officer association; most have one that will be a wealth of information. Be sure to contact the National Tactical Officers Association-a benchmark with information, trainers, and training. Listen to their guidance. They will provide regional resources you can meet with and recommendations.
If your region has a terrorism task force, reach out to them. They may offer training, networking, and funding opportunities. There are several outstanding tactical training companies out there. Make sure you vet them. There are several "swatologists'' who lack creditability and undercut reputable offerings. Paying a high price won't ensure quality.