The first article describes the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) which is an ad hoc support unit that gathers, coordinates, and disseminates all information surrounding a major barricade/hostage event. The second article describes how the Racine, Wis., SWAT unit was started, the structure of the team, training and testing, and operations. The third article follows the inception, organization, operations, and success of a Basic SWAT school conducted by the Miami Beach Police Department (Florida). The fourth article describes the important components of training SWAT personnel. The fifth article presents data collected in order to develop a profile of tactical responses which could enable prediction of suspect action/reaction during a barricade or barricade/hostage situation. The sixth article describes the benefits of the Lakewood (Colorado) Police Department's Special Tactics and Response (STAR) team even though it is a part-time operation. The final article documents the reorganization of the Portland Police Bureau (Oregon) which resulted in time and cost efficiency and more effective training. For separate articles, see NCJ 109171-109173.