The Madera Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team is a regional task force comprised of officers and deputies from agencies throughout Madera County, which include: Madera Police Department, Madera County Sheriff, and Chowchilla Police Department.  The Madera County Regional SWAT Team has 20 full time members: 10 Deputies from the Madera County Sheriff’s Department, 8 Officers from the Madera Police Department and 2 Officers from the Chowchilla Police Department.  SWAT team members are recruited, selected, trained, equipped, and assigned to resolve critical incidents involving a threat to public safety which would otherwise exceed the capabilities of patrol and/or investigative units.  Special Operations consist of, but are not limited to hostage situation, barricade situation, sniper, high-risk apprehension, high risk warrant service, personal protection details, special assignments, eradication of marijuana gardens, and acts of terrorism.  Members have two training days a month.   Members are tested yearly and must meet mandatory physical and tactical competency.  The SWAT team has numerous positions within the team which include: distraction device operations, operator, tactical emergency medical support, precision rifle, deployment of chemical munitions, negotiator, and breaching.