The West Dakota SWAT Team (WDST) is a multi-agency team comprised of law enforcement officers from the Bismarck Police Department, Mandan Police Department, Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department and Morton County Sheriff’s Office.
All members of the WDST have primary assignments within their respective agencies and are on-call 365 days a year. The WDST responds to critical incidents within the south-central area of the State including Burleigh, Morton, Grant, Emmons, McIntosh, Logan, Kidder, McLean, Wells and Sheridan counties. The WDST utilizes a variety of specialized vehicles, technology, equipment, and tactics with the ultimate goal of resolving all critical incidents with no loss of life or injury to victims, suspects, or officers.
The WDST operates under the control of and reports to an executive board which is comprised of Police Chiefs and Sheriff’s from each participating agency. The executive board meets semi-annually to review team activations, training, personnel, equipment, and budget items.
With 32 tactical operators, a tactical medic and 11 negotiators, the WDST is capable of responding to and resolving a variety of critical incidents to include hostage rescue, barricaded subjects, high risk warrant services, high risk suspect apprehensions, dignitary protection and terrorism incidents.
The WDST consists of a Commander, Assistant Commanders, Team Leaders, Assistant Team Leaders, Tactical Operators, Negotiators, Medics, and Marksman. In addition, the WDST is supported by the Bismarck Police Department Bomb Squad, Bismarck Police Department Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Team and K9 officers who provide additional specialized skill sets and capabilities.