Govt forms SWAT team

After two specialised forces like Anti-Terrorists Squad and Special Task Force at the state level, government formed another elite squad Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) which will meet out the challenges at district level. The team will be operative under the Crime Branch of the district police which is entrusted to probe all sensational organized crime like kidnapping, robbery, murder etc. The final shape of all the teams will be given latest by June 25 of this month.

Giving details of the above development here on Friday evening, ADG (law and order) Arun Kumar claimed that the government was feeling necessity of a police team which could effectively counter subversive activities as well as ensuring a curb on organized crime at district level. 

He said that after discussions at various level, they finally decided to form SWAT under crime cell of the respective district police. He said that only outstanding, devoted and physically fit and those who were willing to join the SWAT will be selected and  to motivate them, they will give them some benefits like priorities in allotment of government flats, transfer from Armed Police to Civil Police etc.

Arun Kumar claimed that each team will have one sub-inspector, one head constable, and 8 constables. However, if the local district chief  feel necessity he could increase this strength to 2 SIs, 2HCs, and 16 constables. This team will be headed by a gazetted rank officer but he should be young, energetic and ready to work in the squad.

About the above conditions for selection, Arun Kumar said that constables should be not more than 35-years of age while for HC and SI the age limit is maximum 40-years. Similarly he should clear all physical test which included a run of 100 metres in 14 seconds. The selected sleuths will be also given firing training in Glock Pistol, AK-47, SlR, INSAS, HE-36 and GF. The team will generally wear Khakhi uniform but during operation they will wear Black Uniform and in case of operation in forests,  Camouflage uniform will be used. In case of SOS, the team members should report with full equipment within 20-minutes.