The Yakima Police Department SWAT team consists of 23 tactical operators and 8 crisis negotiators. Our tactical team trains 16 days a year with an average training day lasting 10 hours. Our team has two TEMS including an anesthesiologist and a paramedic. Each tactical team member is equipped with a Bushmaster M-4 rifle and we carry Kimber Warrior 1911 pistols. We have 4 trained snipers who carry Accuracy Internationals rifles. Some of the specialized equipment in our inventory includes a Light Armored Vehicle (LAV – 150), gas delivery systems including 37mm launch platforms, lantern, spear and tomahawk, eye-pole, digital radios and various shields. We are anticipating the arrival of a new 37 foot response vehicle in April 2007, which was partially funded through a Homeland Security Grant.

Our team trains annually on a variety of specialized topics including active shooter response, hostage / barricaded subject, vehicle assaults, riot / crowd movement training, warrant service, specialized firearms training, chemical agents exposure and deployment as well as less lethal training. The team has close mutual aid responsibilities with the Benton County Regional SWAT and Washington State Patrol SWAT teams. Our team is also responsible for the tactical training for the entire 127 officer department.