SWAT GLOSSARY


Benelli Super 90 - a semi-automatic 12 gauge combat shotgun with a five 2.75" shot magazine capacity. 

Breach - To forcibly make entry, with a ram, a kick, or with explosives-through a door, window or wall in order to rescue lives or facilitate entry.

C2 - a composite explosive used to breach locked doors.

CNT - Crisis Negotiation Team. All LAPD SWAT Operators are cross trained as negotiators.

CQB - Close Quarter Battle, engagements are at extremely short range and happen at extremely high speed.

CS GAS - is a white solid powder generally mixed with a dispersal agent (such as methylene chloride) which carries the particles through the air. Physical effects of CS gas include severe burning and involuntary closing of the eyes, tearing, burning in the nose and throat, coughing, lowered heart rate, and raised blood pressure. It's bad stuff, believe me.

Dynamic Entry - fast, explosive breaches and the use of diversionary devices.

Flashbang Grenade - Noise flash devices (NFD), also known as flashbangs, are used to draw a suspect's attention away from an entry port or to disorient a suspect. The flashbang is a class 'C' non-ejecting sub-munition with a delay of 1.2 seconds between detonation and discharge. The sound level at discharge is 175.6 db's; the light level is 2,550,000 candela. The duration of the explosion is 10 milliseconds. It's an attention getter!

LASH - Los Angeles Swat Headset. The mic and ear piece headset worn by all LAPD SWAT Operators.

M4A1 - a lightweight, shoulder fired .223 caliber carbine capable of semi-auto and full automatic fire. The flat top design, with a removable carry handle, can be outfitted with various sighting systems. The sight configuration of choice for LAPD SWAT is the standard A2 back sights with a tritium glow in the dark front sight.

MP5 - The primary weapon of most SWAT teams, the MP5 is a select-fire submachine gun, chambered for pistol-size 9mm cartridges. The MP5 fires from a closed bolt during all modes of fire, protecting the gun from water, dirt, and sand. 

Op Sec-Operational Security - a guideline on how to avoid compromising the mission or its participants in any way.

Operator - Member of a special ops team, participating in the tactical phase of the mission (not administrative)

NVG - Night vision goggles

Slicing the pie -  a life-saving tactic used when entering doors and  corners.

Kimber Custom TLE II .45 ACP - the standard-issue secondary weapon of every LAPD SWAT officer. A full-size pistol with a 5-inch barrel, Meprolight Tritium three dot (green) night sights and 30 LPI front strap checkering, beveled front and rear slide serrations, and lowered and flared ejection porting.

Stealth Entry - slow, quiet, methodical search techniques.

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