Special Weapons Team

"And how many Sith have we taken out?"'' ''"Twenty-two. But we've lost fifteen Jedi doing it. Security Force causalities are running into the thousands–even the Special Weapons Teams are no match for Sith Sabers."

- Corran and Mirax Horn discuss the liberation of Coruscant

The Special Weapons Team, also known as Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), were specialized tactical support police units of the Coruscant Security Force on the planet of Coruscant. They consisted of CSF police officers who were trained in areas such as sharpshooting, entry-and-capture operations, hand-to-hand and urban combat, and counter-intelligence. Some operations the SWAT teams were involved in included providing snipers and personnel to ensure secure voting at the Senate Building in Galactic City, a mission during the Clone Wars between the Galactic Republic and the Separatists, responding to the terrorist attacks during the Second Galactic Civil War between the Galactic Alliance and the Confederation, and later taking part in the liberating of Coruscant from the Lost Tribe of Sith.

Description
"Isn't it the sort of stuff that would bring the boys in blue crashing in here and blowing our op?"

- RC-1207, "Sev"

Special Weapons Teams were specialized police tactical units of the Coruscant Security Force. The SWAT police officers worked on the planet of Coruscant to respond to situations that regular patrol officers would not be able to handle. SWAT officers would be called to situations to serve as entry-and-capture teams into fortified structures or conduct raids with other CSF officers and units. To assist them in these duties, SWAT teams could utilize specialized droids. Many officers of the CSF's Anti-Terrorism Unit were trained for tactical situations and they would often conduct tactical operations on their own. Conversely, SWAT teams had knowledge of counter-intelligence operations and would provide security at large scale events. SWAT officers would also train to become snipers and train for hand-to-hand and urban combat above the abilities of a regular police officer.

History
"A major terrorist network lies in tatters this morning following the end of a massive overnight operation by Coruscant Security Forces. A total of ninety-seven suspects were detained or killed, and what's described as 'a significant amount' of explosives seized. Senator Ihu Niopua described it as a magnificent piece of police work and praised officers."

- HoloNet News and Entertainment

In 52 BBY, the Galactic Republic's Senate held a major vote on whether to allow several planets who were under the Trade Federation's control to enter the Republic and receive senatorial representation. In anticipation of the event, the CSF cordoned off a large area around the Senate Building, including Level 55 down to Level 106 of Galactic City's Senate District. They deployed SWAT snipers, security cam droids, and bomb-detecting droids to assist in controlling the crowds and prevent any trouble.

In 21 BBY during the Clone Wars between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, Republic Commandos were unofficially sent to identify a terrorist network on Coruscant. Working with the Anti-Terrorism Unit and the Organized Crime Unit, they were able to identify the network. The CSF conducted raids with tactical units all over Coruscant and the network was shut down with ninety-seven terrorists either killed or detained.

In the aftermath of several terrorist attacks in 40 ABY, the Galactic Alliance government set up the Galactic Alliance Guard to root out Corellian terrorists who supported Corellia's rebellion against the Galactic Alliance. The GAG was to serve as a secret security force and bridge the gap between the military and the police. Officers of the CSF's Anti-Terrorism Unit who had tactical training accompanied soldiers of 967 Commando to raid Jabi Town, where many Corellians on Coruscant lived. During the raids, the CSF tactical units provided support in controlling the crowds. They would later continue to do so for other raids and riots, but in a diminished capacity as the GAG sought to become a distinct entity.

Four years later in 44 ABY, the New Jedi Order began to liberate Coruscant from the Lost Tribe of Sith, who had infiltrated the Galactic Alliance government and seized control of the planet. The Jedi began hunting down the individual members of the Lost Tribe who included members of Galactic Alliance Security, the High Court, and the Galactic Alliance military. Those Sith who managed to escape began causing severe damage to Coruscant. Though at first confused and hesitant to interfere, as the Jedi gained control of the government, the CSF sided with them in neutralizing the remaining Sith. The SWAT teams were called in for support as the CSF officers were easily cut down by the Sith's lightsabers and use of the Force. Despite their best efforts, the SWAT teams fared little better than their regular counterparts. Although many of the Sith were eventually brought down and killed, resulting in a victory for the Jedi and Galactic Alliance government, the CSF's causalities quickly ran into the thousands.

Behind the scenes
The Special Weapons Teams were first mentioned indirectly in Omega Squad: Targets, which was a short story written by Karen Traviss and published in Star Wars Insider 81 in March of 2005. It was republished in Republic Commando: Triple Zero, which was also by Karen Traviss, on February 28, 2006. They were mentioned in subsequent Republic Commando novels written by Traviss as well as in her novel Bloodlines, published on August 26, 2006. They were first identified as SWAT in Tempest, published on November 28, 2006 and written by Troy Denning. Later, they were mentioned in Star Wars: Darth Plagueis by James Luceno, which was published on January 10, 2012 as well as in the novel Apocalypse, published on March 13, 2012 and written by Denning. In Apocalypse they were identified as Special Weapons Team.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Darth Plagueis
 * Omega Squad: Targets
 * Republic Commando: Triple Zero
 * Republic Commando: True Colors
 * Order 66: A Republic Commando Novel
 * Bloodlines
 * Tempest
 * Apocalypse