SWAT
 
Recognizing that the presence of a specially trained SWAT Team has been shown to substantially reduce the risk of injury or loss of life to citizens, police officers, and suspects; and recognizing that a well managed "team" response to critical incidents usually results in a successful resolution, it is the intent of the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department SWAT Team to provide a specially trained and skilled tactical team as a resource for the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department in the handling of critical incidents.
 

Mission Statement:
Support the police department with a tactical response to critical incidents.
 
Critical incidents are defined as follows:
1. Hostage Situations: the holding of any person(s) against their will by an armed or potentially armed suspect.
2. Barricade Situations: the stand-off created by an armed or potentially armed suspect in any location, whether fortified or not, who is refusing to comply with police demands for surrender.
3. Sniper Situations: the firing upon citizens and/or police by an armed suspect, whether stationary or mobile.
4. High Risk Apprehension: the arrest or apprehension of armed or potentially armed suspects where the likelihood of armed resistance is high.
5. High Risk Warrant Service: the service or search or arrest warrants where the warrant service type recommends the use of the SWAT Team.
6. Violent, emotionally disturbed persons presenting immediate, serious or lethal threat to themselves or people in the immediate area.
7. Special Assignments: any assignment, approved by the Chief of Police based upon a high level of threat.