Thurston County, Washington

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Thurston County Washington

Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT)

Who We Are

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SWAT PATCH

The Thurston County Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team is a 36-member regional, multi-agency team comprised of specially trained law enforcement officers, K-9 teams, and emergency medical professionals serving the communities of Thurston County.

The team brings together personnel, training, experience, and specialized resources from multiple law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical agencies. Team members train together and operate under common standards, providing a coordinated regional response to critical incidents throughout Thurston County.

Our Mission

SWAT COMMUNITY EVENT

The mission of the Thurston County SWAT Team is the preservation of life and the safe, professional resolution of critical incidents that present an elevated level of risk or complexity beyond a traditional law enforcement response.

The team may respond to both planned operations and rapidly evolving critical incidents. Regardless of the circumstances, our priorities are to protect the public, first responders, and involved individuals while working toward a safe and peaceful resolution whenever possible.

Regional Partnership

The Thurston County SWAT Team is made possible through the cooperation and commitment of our regional partners:

  • Thurston County Sheriff’s Office — 11 Deputies and K-9 resources.
  • Lacey Police Department — 6 Officers
  • Olympia Police Department — 6 Officers
  • Tumwater Police Department — 4 Officers 
  • Yelm Police Department — 3 Officers
  • Medic One — 1 Emergency Room Physician
  • Lacey Fire District 3 — 2 Paramedics
  • Olympia Fire Department — 1 Paramedic
SWAT VEHICLE WITH OPERATORS

K-9 teams from the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and Tumwater Police Department regularly train alongside SWAT personnel. This integration allows K-9 resources to operate effectively with the team when their specialized capabilities are appropriate for an incident.

Our medical personnel also train alongside SWAT members and provide specialized emergency medical capabilities in support of team operations.

Training and Readiness

Members of the Thurston County SWAT Team complete approximately 240 hours of specialized SWAT training each year, in addition to the training and responsibilities required by their respective agencies and regular assignments.

This extensive training commitment is essential to maintaining the skills, judgment, teamwork, and readiness necessary to safely manage complex and high-risk incidents. Training emphasizes sound decision-making, communication, teamwork, de-escalation, crisis response, and the disciplined application of specialized skills.

Because the SWAT Team is comprised of personnel from multiple agencies and disciplines, members train together regularly to ensure they can operate effectively as one coordinated regional team. K-9 and emergency medical personnel are incorporated into training to strengthen communication, coordination, and overall team readiness

The team continually evaluates its training, equipment, and procedures to remain consistent with applicable Washington State law, participating agency policies, and recognized state and national standards and best practices.

Technology, Communication, and De-Escalation

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SWAT VEHICLE

The Thurston County SWAT Team utilizes specialized equipment and technology, including robotic systems and unmanned aircraft systems, to enhance safety and provide additional options during critical incidents.

When appropriate, these resources can assist the team in gathering information, reducing risk, and creating opportunities to establish communication with involved individuals. This can provide crisis negotiators and SWAT personnel additional time and options to work toward de-escalation and a peaceful resolution.

Technology is one of several tools available to the team and is used with the goal of improving decision-making, reducing unnecessary risk, and protecting the public, first responders, and those involved in critical incidents.

Commitment to the Community

The Thurston County SWAT Team recognizes the significant responsibility that comes with responding to our community's most challenging and potentially dangerous incidents.

Our goal is not simply to respond to these incidents, but to create time, reduce risk, establish communication, and provide options that increase the opportunity for a safe and peaceful resolution.

As a regional team, our strength comes from the professionalism and cooperation of the law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical, and K-9 personnel who train and serve together.

The Thurston County SWAT Team remains committed to professionalism, preparedness, accountability, teamwork, and the preservation of life while providing a highly trained and coordinated public safety resource for the communities of Thurston County.

SWAT COMMUNITY EVENT