SWAT

The Special Weapons And Tactics team is a group of ten police officers and four paramedics who respond to high risk situations such as:

• Hostage / Barricaded Subjects
• High Risk Warrants
• Suicidal Persons
• Civil Disturbances
• Dignitary Protection
• Undercover Surveillance
• Disaster Response

Originally called the Special Entry Team (SET), the group was formed in 1986. As more responsibility was added to the teams list, the name was changed to SWAT.

The Edina SWAT team is led by a Patrol Lieutenant who serves as team commander, a Sergeant who serves as team leader, and two assistant team leaders. All team members hold other full time positions within the Department and their role on the SWAT team is a part-time collateral duty. To be assigned to the SWAT team, officers must pass a physical fitness test, score above 90 percent on the firearms test and complete a written test and interview with team leaders. These standards are maintained and tested regularly.

Each team member completes a basic Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) school and trains regularly with other team members. Basic SWAT school is a rigorous 40 hour school that covers team movement, dynamic and static entry, gas deployment, vehicle operations and firearms. Upon satisfactory completion, each team member is given specific responsibilities ranging from firearms armoring to sniper, gas deployment, etc. 

The Edina SWAT team is a member of the Southwest SWAT Consortium, a group of teams from the cities of Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Minnetonka and St. Louis Park. These teams train regularly around the metro area, approximately one day per month, and annually at Camp Ripley in northern Minnesota. The SWAT team also works closely with our Edina PD Crisis Negotiators. Team members are on call 24/7 and often respond from home.

Since it's inception in 1986, the team has responded to over 175 "callouts" for various situations, including protection for three Presidential visits and a visit from the First Lady.

For more information contact Lt. Jeff Elasky, Team Commander, at 952-826-1611 or Sgt. Nate Mendel, Team Leader, at 952-826-0467.