News of an all Kenyan female Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) team was greeted with a lot of fanfare in the region. It’s a first in sub-Saharan Africa and may take sometime to be replicated.
During the graduation of the 48 elite officers drawn from the Administration Police Service (AP), former Interior Secretary Fred Matiangi exuded confidence on the commandos capability to handle “…intricate security operations that require specialized approaches.” Here is what it takes to be a SWAT team member.
Selection Criteria (Administration Police)
Applicants must be citizens of Kenya
You must possess the Kenyan National ID card
Must be fluent in the Use of English language or Kiswahili language
Must have a minimum D+ in English language or Kiswahili language in your Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination
Persons applying with the KCSE result are expected to be aged 18 – 28 while those applying with a diploma or other degree are expected not to be above 30 years
Applicants must pass the physical and mental examination
Applicants must have a clean record
Not be pregnant during application and training period
Applicants must be of good and decent conduct
Joining SWAT team Requirements
Served as AP officers
15 months ongoing training
Standardized Training involves:
Perform 12 pull-ups
Complete 60 sit-ups in 2 minutes
Perform 50 push-ups
Run 2 miles in under 14:59
Climb 8 flights of stairs, wearing a 50-lb vest and carrying a 35-lb ram, in 60 seconds
A potential recruit to the elite squad should be able to:
Think quick
Give and take orders
Be a good communicator
Have a strong sense of teamwork
Mental toughens
A good marksman
Training
The Kenyan female SWAT team undergoes Israeli Krav Maga (a military self-defence and fighting system)
This is a fighting system that was been developed for and effectively used by the Israeli security forces. It involves a combination of Judo, boxing, wrestling, aikido and karate to respond to real-world situations.
Also trained to multiple weapons handling techniques as well as management of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Salary
To be updated
