Special operations unit (swat and cnt)
The mission of the Hemet Police Department’s Special Operations Unit (SOU) is to maintain a team of highly-trained officers who are prepared and equipped to resolve critical incidents which go beyond the scope of normal police operations. Commonly known as a “SWAT Team,” the SOU’s primary objective is to save lives by resolving critical incidents with decisiveness and precision.
The Hemet Police Department has partnered with the Murrieta Police Department and Menifee Police Department to form the Southwest Cities Special Weapons and Tactics Team. This collaboration solidifies a partnership between the three neighboring municipalities. Together, the Southwest Cities SWAT Team provides a ready response to situations that are beyond the capabilities of traditionally equipped and trained department personnel.
The officers assigned to the Southwest Cities SWAT Team have undergone special training and have access to specialized weaponry, surveillance devices, and equipment beyond standard-issue police gear. They are equipped with specialized firearms, breaching equipment, riot control agents, less-lethal options, and specialized K-9 teams. They also utilize heavy body armor, ballistic shields, entry tools, tactical robots, and armored vehicles.
All team members of the department’s SWAT Team must maintain a high physical fitness standard; which, requires they pass a quarterly physical fitness test. Team members participate in tactical training to adhere to state and nationally recognized SWAT standards. They must pass stringent physical fitness and agility evaluations, marksmanship qualifications, teamwork assessments, and scenario-based training, to ensure they are both physically and psychologically suited for tactical operations.
CRISIS NEGOTIATION TEAM (CNT)
The Hemet SOU Team is also comprised of a team of highly-trained crisis negotiation team (CNT) members, who respond to every critical incident alongside our SWAT operators. Using a variety of techniques and state-of-the-art communications gear, crisis negotiators seek to affect a peaceful resolution to all critical or crisis situations with little or no injuries to all involved. CNT is often called upon in cases of barricaded suspects who refuse to surrender, violent persons armed with weapons, suicidal subjects, or anyone in crisis. The CNT members use the skills learned in training courses to speak with and assist the barricaded suspects and/or hostage takers, working to help resolve the situation without violence.
