The manual describes the structure of a six-man and eight-man SWAT team and responsibilities of its members: field supervisor, team leader, cover, unit defense, rear guard/gas man, and marksman. Qualifications for SWAT team officers are detailed. The discussion of equipment covers tool and first aid kits, uniforms, handguns, and specialized rifles and shotguns. The training section outlines an exercise program to maintain team members' physical fitness, with techniques to disarm a suspect and to fall forward and backward while avoiding injury. It also considers firearms training and climbing and rappelling techniques. The author emphasizes the importance of role playing tactical situations in training and reviews common situations that may require a SWAT team reponse: the barricaded suspect, the sniper, an ambush attack, and riot control. Specific issues examined include fatigue during the negotiating period, the development of the Stockholm Syndrome among hostages, and the use of chemical agents. The appendixes contain a discussion of personality types that SWAT teams are likely to encounter and a guide to common hand signals. Photographs and diagrams are used throughout the text.