The acronym SWAT stands for Special Weapons and Tactics. A SWAT team is a unit employed by the United States government to deal with high-risk conflicts, such as terrorist or criminal threats, hostage situations, and rioting. SWAT teams were assembled in the mid-1900s to defend individuals and police stations from sniper attacks. The officers were gathered into teams according to their past military experience and specialties. They were trained to use specialized tactics and equipment and then deployed to deal with crime.  Today, SWAT units use specialized, military-like equipment. They drive armored vehicles, undercover vans or buses, and even helicopters. They have the training and clearance to use weapons that are unavailable to ordinary police teams, and they stand by to provide backup or intervene when situations escalate.