Special Equipment Tactical Team

The Special Equipment Tactical Team (SETT) deploys in situations that have the potential to produce a violent encounter that is more serious than what the average officer would typically face during normal duties. Circumstances that often require SETT activation are:

• Hostage incidents
• Barricade incidents
• Active shooting incidents
• High-risk warrant service
• Dignitary protection
• Riot or planned demonstrations
• Missing person/manhunt situations requiring organized movements

SETT consists of a Team Commander, Team Leader, Assistant Team Leader, and a maximum of 14 additional sworn officers, two of which hold the position of a police sniper.

Each member of SETT attends basic SWAT training, which is a two week (80 hours) rigorous training program that includes:  breaching, deployment of chemical agents, advanced shooting tactics, room clearing, and physical fitness training. Police snipers attend an additional one-week (40 hours) advanced sniper school that teaches police related sniper skills, such as urban shooting, hides, and surveillance techniques. Some SETT members are also cross-trained in Crisis Negotiations and attend a one-week (40 hour) school. This allows SETT to effectively handle a crisis and use appropriate verbal de-escalation skills in the event that a negotiator is not present or the suspect refuses to speak with negotiators conventionally.