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What Technologies Will Be Available to SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) Teams by the Year 2000?

NCJ Number
118750
Author(s)
D McDonald
Date Published
1988
Length
75 pages
Annotation
This monograph projects the technologies that will be available for California police special weapons and tactical (SWAT) units by the year 2000 and suggests a strategy and planning system for making the best use of these new resources.
Abstract
The identification of technologies likely to be available to SWAT units by the year 2000 was done through a "futures research" process initiated by a selected literature review and personal interviews with SWAT team experts. Various trends and potential events that could impact SWAT technology were forecast, and the information was used to develop three future scenarios, from which a "desired future" was selected. Some trends considered were SWAT team use of nonlethal weapons, robotics in tactical situations, computer use in hostage negotiations and tactical situations, and communication technology for SWAT incidents. The study identified and analyzed individuals and groups known as "stakeholders," who have high interest in the desired future. It then developed the mission of law enforcement and SWAT and suggested three strategy alternatives, followed by the development of a planning system. A transition plan was created to bridge the gap between the present and the desired future. 16 tables, appended forms and a chart, 33-item bibliography. (Author summary modified)