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August 1965
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The Watts Riots raged for seven days, involved more than 10,000 people, and left 34 people dead in it's wake. LAPD officers, equipped with basic training and a revolver, were unprepared to restore the peace amidst this type of widespread, decentralized violence. The LAPD recognized that there was a need to safely resolve non-traditional police situations such as barricaded suspects and sniper related incidents.
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September 1965
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In an incident that later became known as the Surrey Street shootings, a barricaded suspect began shooting LAPD officers who had responded to a disturbance call. By the time the smoke cleared, three officers, a citizen, and the suspect had been wounded. "Later, as I analyzed how we had responded, I realized again, as I had during Watts, that we were going to have to devise another method for dealing with snipers or barricaded criminals other than our indiscriminate shooting," recalled Daryl Gates in his autobiography.
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August 1966
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Former Marine Corps marksman Charles Whitman shoots fifteen people to death from the observation tower at the University of Texas at Austin. The incident leads law enforcement agencies across the country to develop special crisis response teams based on the example of LAPD SWAT.
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1967
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Under the management of Gates, 60 of the LAPD's best marksmen had formed a volunteer anti-sniper group. These officers received special training whenever time permitted. The euphemism "bring your lunch," meaning "bring your rifle," is an example of the group's low profile within the department.
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1968
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Officer Gary Murakami was shot and killed while on patrol. SWAT officer Glen Wiggins responds to the call and neutralizes the suspect. This is the first time a sniper shot was taken by a SWAT officer.
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December 1969
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SWAT arrives at the Los Angeles headquarters of the Black Panther Party to serve a search warrant for illegal weapons. Shots are fired from within the building and a four-hour gun battle ensues in which 3 officers and three Panthers are wounded. The Panthers are forced to surrender after they run out of ammunition.
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1971
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The Metropolitan division in downtown Los Angeles creates D Platoon, formally establishing SWAT as a fully-funded, full time unit. The tactical uniform was the solid green utilities worn by the Marine Corps. Officers trained wearing Levis and a white T-shirt. Officers were issued M-16s, .233 rifles, .38 revolvers, and Remington 1100 shotguns.
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1972
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Terrorists kidnap Israel's wrestling team during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, West Germany. The teammates and their captors burn to death in a hijacked military helicopter.
SWAT goes to 60 officers.
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1974
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SWAT arrives at a residence occupied by members of the Symbionese Liberation Army on a call to investigate the kidnapping of Patty Hearst. Members of the SLA open fire with automatic weapons. After a long shootout, SWAT fires tear gas into the residence. Minutes later, the house erupts in flame. Six SLA members perish in the fire.
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1976
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Patrol officer Nick Sintec was killed by an armed robbery suspect at a McDonalds restaurant. SWAT element leader Mike Hillman negotiated with suspect, an incident that's widely credited as the impetus of the SWAT Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT).
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1983
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In anticipation of the 1984 Olympics, Chief Gates dispatched three SWAT and Metro division officers to Europe on a crash course in counter-terrorism. The group would note the tactics, training, and equipment used by Italy's GIS, France's GIGN, Germany's GSG-9, the British SAS, and Israel's Sayeret Mat'kal.
SWAT acquires the Heckler & Koch weapons system, including the MP5, 33, and G-3 which remains in use today.
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1984
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In the months before the Games, SWAT began training with the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team. Aside from a minor bomb hoax, the Olympic Games were completed without incident.
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May 1988
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SWAT issues the Robar-customized Remington 700 bolt sniper rifle.
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July 1994
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SWAT officers respond after an armed O.J. Simpson attempts to escape arrest in a low-speed freeway chase.
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February 1996
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A heavily armed gunman opens fire on patrol officers and bystanders after robbing a North Hollywood Bank. As SWAT catches up with the suspect's vehicle, they exchange automatic gunfire. In an automatic gun battle, the suspect surrenders after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. SWAT's near immediate arrival is a reflection on the group's focus on rapid deployment capability.
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