In the United States, a SWAT team is a generic term for a police tactical unit.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection SWAT officers preparing for a training exercise
Federal Bureau of Investigation SWAT agents fast-roping from a helicopter during training near downtown Los Angeles
USAF Security Forces SWAT officers during a training exercise at Travis Air Force Base in 1995
DoD SWAT officers responding to the 2009 Fort Hood shooting in Texas
A police tactical unit (PTU) is a specialized police unit trained and equipped to handle situations that are beyond the capabilities of ordinary law enforcement units because of the level of violence involved. A police tactical unit's tasks may include: executing dangerous search warrants and arrest warrants for dangerous persons; arresting or neutralizing dangerous or mentally ill armed persons; and intervening in high risk situations such as shootouts, standoffs, hostage-takings, and terrorist incidents.
Osaka Prefectural Police Riot Police Unit officers arresting a suspect during training
GSG 9 (operator and helicopter pictured here in 1978) was established in September 1972 following the Munich massacre to combat terrorism, and was one of the first police tactical units.
An FBI SWAT team advancing during an aircraft hijacking training exercise at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi
