S.W.A.T. - Special Weapons & Tactical

The Palm Bay Police Department’s S.W.A.T. Team is a highly trained and skilled tactical team used for deployment to critical incidents.  It has been shown to substantially reduce the risk of injury or loss of life to citizens, police officers, and suspects and usually results in a successful and safe resolution. 

The S.W.A.T. Team is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Some of the incidents this highly trained team handles are hostage situations, barricade situations, high-risk apprehensions, and high-risk warrant services.  Members of the team have other primary assignments within the Department and serve on the team only when required.

Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM)

Our Critical Incident Stress Management team is composed of members from all areas of the department to include: road officers, supervisors, dispatch, and the department chaplain. “We strive to bring awareness and education to our officers regarding the after effects of working a critical incident call.”- Cpl. A. Schrum, CISM Team Liaison. 

A critical incident can be defined as any event that has a stressful impact sufficient enough to overwhelm the usually effective coping skills of an individual. Critical incidents are abrupt, powerful events that fall outside the range of ordinary human experiences. These events can have a strong emotional impact, even on the most experienced officer. Research has shown that critical incident stress affects up to 87% of all emergency service workers at least once in their careers. Our team’s main goal is to take care of our officers who can in turn, continue to take care of our citizens.

Dive Team (Underwater Recovery Team)

The Underwater Recovery Team is comprised of highly trained members that respond to water related incidents.  The team is responsible for:

• Conducting underwater search and recovery of evidence or bodies.
• Recovering and salvaging submerged vehicles involved in accidents.
• Underwater recovery of property lost by accident, negligence, or for any other reason.
• Promoting water safety to the public and enforcing local, state and federal law.
• Maintaining and operating Department Watercraft.