The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team is a law enforcement unit that uses specialized equipment or tactics to handle unique situations. The team trains on a regular basis and is used when called upon for high-risk situations such as search and arrest warrant service, incidents involving barricaded subjects, hostage situations, tactical tracking or any other situation that may require SWAT assistance to the other divisions of patrol, detectives or narcotics. The SWAT team is a regional asset and has responded to assist our local police departments as well as provide assistance to southern Colorado agencies and neighboring reservation police departments.

 The SWAT Team is comprised of a lieutenant, a sergeant, 13 deputies, and three volunteers in support roles. They receive specialized training in movement through buildings, vehicle contacts, officer and hostage rescue, VIP protection, less lethal tools, crowd control, and negotiations. Team members are required to maintain high standards of proficiency with various tools, as well as physical standards above those expected of a patrol deputy.