SWAT Unit Proactive Search Warrant Deployments: A Mixed Effects Model Exploration

Abstract

Abstract This research examines American police operations by Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) units. In this study, SWAT unit proactive search warrant deployments in Maryland over a 4-year period (2010–13) were analysed to see if they were influenced by violent crime rates, property crimes rates, vice crime rates, and the number of sworn law enforcement officers across four models (two random effects and fixed effects models). The results reveal an inverse relationship between proactive vice type arrests and SWAT unit proactive search warrant deployments. The results are discussed as they inform SWAT unit policies in a democracy.