Amarillo PD SWAT will host a 6-day, 60-hour Basic SWAT School October 19^th – 24^th, 2025. 

Topics covered include:

·       SWAT History

·       Team Selection and Structure

·       Liability

·       Equipment

·       Breaching

·       Distraction Devices

·       Dynamic Entry

·       Team Movements

·       Vehicle-Related Tactics

·       Bomb/SWAT Interoperability

·       Sniper Operations

·       Mission Planning

·       Slow-Search Structure Clearing

·       Crisis Negotiations

·       Less-Lethal Munitions

·       Chemical Agents

Prerequisites:

Students must be certified peace officers or active military personnel, in good standing with their agency. Students must be able to provide their agency ID on the first day of class.

There will be a pass/fail physical assessment the morning of the first day of class. Students should show up for class in PT gear --bring BDUs to change after.

Students failing the physical assessment will not be allowed to stay in the class

The course will include hands-on instruction in as many of the topics as possible, allowing officers to apply the knowledge learned in the classroom.  APD SWAT strives to make this class as active as possible, spending about half of the time on the range or in their Sims House.  The course will begin with a Physical Fitness Test.  APD SWAT currently uses a modified version of the U.S. Army ACFT, holding minimum times/reps for each exercise.  Those standards for each exercise are:

·       Deadlift – 3 reps x 200 lbs

·       Power Throw – 8 meters (10 lb. med ball)

·       30 Arm Extension Push-Ups (2 min time)

·       Sprint, Drag, Carry Exercise in less than 2 mins 10 secs

·       5 Leg Tucks from a hanging position

·       1-mile Run in less than 9 mins

You can view the exercises here (the leg tucks have been removed from the Army version and will be demonstrated on Day 1 of the school) - Army Combat Fitness Test

Required Equipment: 

PT clothing

BDU or other similar tactical uniform

Duty/tactical belt

Body armor

Duty handgun (300rds of live ammunition, 150rds of simunition) 

Duty rifle (300rds of live ammunition, 150rds of simunition)

Your own simunition weapons or conversion kits if preferred, but some can be provided

Live fire PPE

NLTA PPE

Gas mask

Any protective gear you choose such as knee or elbow pads, gloves, etc.

Note taking material

Plenty of water and snacks

APD SWAT instructors have over 60 years of combined full-time SWAT experience, and seek to share their knowledge and experience with motivated students who have a passion for tactics and teamwork.  If you have any questions for APD SWAT members, contact Cpl. Brian Ainsworth at brian.ainsworth@amarillo.gov or 806-378-4267.

Any other inquiries regarding the course, registration, payment or other questions can be directed to kolton.pirkle@ttpoa.org.

Credit card payment is strongly recommended.

If paying by check, make check payable to “TTPOA” and reference “Basic SWAT - Reg 5.”  Mail check to:

TTPOA

PO Box 304

Burnet, TX 78611

For early registrations, all fees are due by October 5, 2025. There will be no refunds or course credit for cancellations after that date. For those who sign up after that date, all fees are due upon registration.