At an ever-increasing rate, situations involving special threats are confronting law enforcement agencies. Standard patrol resources have neither the manpower, training nor equipment, to effectively cope with those special threats. Experience has indicated that when inadequate resources and tactics are used, death and injury may result unnecessarily among police, hostages, suspects and innocent civilians.

The Lewiston Special Weapons and Tactics Team was established to provide assistance when a situation arises that exceeds the capabilities of standard patrol resources. Situations which may require the use of the SWAT Team may be as follows;

Sniper Incidents
Hostage Incidents
Barricaded suspects who are armed or potentially dangerous
Service of felony arrests or search warrants involving suspects that are believed to be armed, or when there is a potential threat to officer safety and/or public safety.
Any tactically complex situation where the use of the SWAT Team might reduce or eliminate potential danger.

The goal(s) of the SWAT Team is as follows;

Isolate and contain the suspect(s)
Safety of officers
Safety of hostages and/or persons located within the incident area
Apprehend suspect(s)
Preserve and/or recover evidence

The Lewiston SWAT Team is made up of a total of fifteen (15) officers. There are twelve (12) officers assigned to the Tactical Unit and three (3) officers assigned to the Negotiation Unit. The Lewiston SWAT Team is made up of officers from the Lewiston Police Department, the Nez Perce County Sheriffs Department and the Clarkston Police Department.