Long Beach SWAT

Past, Present, Future

Much of the following is taken from a written record by original team member Richard Johansen. His record was submitted to current team members on May 27th 2006.

In the 1960’s, a broad discussion was taking place in public safety concerning a drastic shift in the criminal/public safety balance. Public safety organizations around the country were finding themselves out gunned and out maneuvered by heavily armed and dangerous suspects who were becoming an increasing threat to civilians and public safety alike.

Many changes to policy and procedure took place as a result of the problems not previously experienced, on such a large scale. It was determined that law enforcement needed to specially train and arm specific officers to deal with these critical incidents. As a result, the Special Weapons and Tactics team, became a reality.

In late 1968, LBPD Chief William J. Mooney and City Manager John Mansell authorized the planning of a team to serve the City of Long Beach. In the beginning, the team was referred to as the Special Tactics and Rescue team (STAR) in an effort to avoid the word “weapons.” It was changed some years later to SWAT as STAR confused the media and public as to the mission of the team. By this time, SWAT had become a universally accepted term.

THE ORIGINAL TEAM:

Recorded at the first formal meeting on July 30th 1969

  • Captain Riley Brown

  • Paul Chastain

  • Al Covarubias

  • Jim Harmon

  • Richard Johansen

  • Arnold Schmeling

  • Robert Keeran

  • Bill McLyman

  • Dan Stowe

  • Bill Hurlbirt

  • R. Padilla

  • Tony Van Coutren

At the team’s inception, only suspects had semi-automatic pistols and rifles. Most police agencies carried 6 shot .38 cal. revolvers and 12 ga. shotguns. The LBPD Booking Sgt had control of some spare shot guns, several 30-30 carbines and 4 Thompson .45 cal. sub-machine guns, donated by the USN after WWII. The Booking Sgt also had some tear gas and mostly non-functional gas masks along with four flack jackets. Only a few officers had experience with the weapons and in most cases, by the time the equipment could be brought to the scene, the incident was over.

The beginnings of the team were based on enthusiasm, as equipment and a budget were not forthcoming. Team members spent their own money on many necessary items, but it was in need of supporters if the mission was to succeed.

EARLY SUPPORTERS:

Evar Peterson, Director of Emergency Preparedness for the City of Long Beach, provided the team with a meeting room in the, then new, Emergency Operations Center.

The Commanding Officer of the 40th Division of the National Guard assigned enough webbing belts, canteens and cartridge holders for 12 officers, on the condition to return them if asked. He never asked.

The first armored vehicle came courtesy of Armored Car Service in Signal Hill. This vehicle was made available for use as needed to LBPD Reserve Officer Sam Rainey, who was the manager of the company.

Before local courts destroyed thousands of weapons that had been confiscated as the result of criminal investigations, Judge Martin DeVries allowed team armorer Ed Davenport to requisition several of them for use by the team.

PRESENT:

The SWAT team is now composed of roughly 40 tactical officers. The team is considered one of the best in the country and holds an extremely high standard for professionalism and performance. The team now has multiple vehicles, high quality equipment and can safely address a variety of critical incidents.

From the beginning, Long Beach SWAT has relied heavily upon the support of special people and organizations as well as the community as a whole. Continued support is needed to ensure Long Beach SWAT officers are well trained in the use of ever progressing tactics and equipment.

However, it is not just the SWAT team that needs support…..

FUTURE:

In recent years, the Long Beach SWAT team has determined that it can offer not only safety and protection to our great community, but it can offer enrichment to the lives of so many living here as well.

A goal of creating an organization that offered the support of the team in this different way was created. The goal was to ensure that those experiencing need at their very core could call upon the team for help, love or even a simple smile.

The Long Beach SWAT Officer’s Association was created to achieve this goal. The Mission of the LBSOA is to support the work of the Long Beach SWAT team, continue its legacy and build positive, mutually beneficial relationships with community groups in Southern California, especially those dedicated to helping Children.