Lower Columbia SWAT
The Lower Columbia SWAT Team was developed in 2004 when Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office, Kelso Police, and Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue formed a multi-agency team with Longview Police's Tactical Response Team. The 20 member team currently consists of eleven officers from Longview PD, five deputies from Cowlitz County SO, one officer from Kelso PD, and three members of Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue who provide TEMS care. The team is assisted by three trained hostage negotiators that can be called out as needed. The command structure for the team includes a team leader and two assistant team leaders. These positions are currently filled by Longview Police Sergeants. Each law enforcement agency also has an administrator that serves as the team commander for their respective agency. The lead commander position rotates between the three agencies, and is currently held by Cowlitz County SO.
Lower Columbia SWAT is a part-time team with team members holding regular duty assignments in patrol or investigation units. Interested officers must pass a multi-phase selection process to be selected for the specialty assignment. After selection, team members must pass a yearly physical agility test and bi-annual qualification shoots to remain on the team. All team members are trained for perimeter and entry duties, and two members have additional training as snipers. New team members are sent to Basic SWAT through WSCJTC and receive additional training in house as well as from outside trainers on a case by case basis. The team trains one day a month plus an additional week long session each year.Snipers train an additional half-day each month. Team leaders and commanders receive training on SWAT supervision and command responsibilities.
The team purchased a new mobile command post vehicle in 2008 and is currently in the process of purchasing a new armored vehicle. Other team vehicles include an equipment van and refurbished armored bank truck. Team member are equipped with Colt M4 assault rifles, or similar platform, and .40 caliber Glock pistols. Snipers are also issued Remington .308 rifles. Other tools available for use include: night vision and thermal optics, 37mm chemical and impact munitions, throw phone, breaching shotgun, shields, mirrors, and ballistic blankets.
The mission of Lower Columbia SWAT is to support law enforcement agencies in Cowlitz County with a tactical response to critical incidents. Critical incidents that Lower Columbia SWAT has responded to include: service of high-risk search warrants and arrest warrants, hostage situations, and barricaded suspects. While the team's response area is Cowlitz County and the city jurisdictions within the county, Lower Columbia SWAT has also responded and assisted with incidents in Wahkiakum County and Columbia County, Oregon.
