Ever since Charles Whitman gunned down over a dozen innocent people in 1966 from his perch atop the University of Texas clock tower, “SWAT team” has become a household word. In this compelling book, police veteran Robert L. Snow takes us into the midst of the nation’s heroic SWAT teams, allowing us to eavesdrop on harrowing negotiations between killers and cops. He gives us a balanced look at what SWAT teams do right and what they do wrong and recommends ways to improve their tactics in future hostage situations. While he gives no-holds-barred analyses of such dire failures as Waco, he also celebrates SWAT’s greatest triumphs—thousands of incidents in which no one was hurt. No policeman or citizen can afford to miss this harrowing yet hopeful look at society’s main weapon against sudden terror.
Robert L. Snow served for 38 years at the Indianapolis Police Department, retiring in 2007 with the rank of captain. While at the police department he served in such capacities as Police Department Executive Officer, Captain of Detectives, and Commander of the Homicide Branch.
Robert L. Snow has also been a publishing writer for over 30 years. He has had over 100 articles and short stories published in such magazines as Playboy, Reader's Digest, the National Enquirer, The Writer, Police, The Saint Detective Magazine, and others. In addition, he has had thirteen books published. Almost all of Captain Snow's published works were written so that readers could use his knowledge of law enforcement to better protect themselves and their loved ones.
