SWAT

The Ripon Police Department has been part of the Manteca SWAT Team since 2005.  It is a multi-agency team.  The SWAT team currently consists of a Team Commander, a Team Leader, an assistant Team Leader, and operators from the Manteca Police Department, the Ripon Police Department, and the Lathrop Police Department.

Currently, there are two Ripon officers that make up part of the combined agency team; Sergeant Paul Rourick and Officer Aaron Will.  Sgt. Rourick is assigned as a SWAT Medic and has been on the SWAT team since 2016.  He is the SWAT supervisor and has received specialized training and has attended several Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) courses for the position.  Officer Will was added to the team in 2024. A third Ripon SWAT officer position is currently vacant.

The SWAT Team is a designated unit of law enforcement officers that is specifically trained and equipped to work as a coordinated team to resolve critical incidents that are so hazardous, complex, or unusual that they may exceed the capabilities of first responders or investigative units including, but not limited to, hostage taking, barricaded suspects, snipers, terrorist acts and other high-risk incidents. Their primary objective is to solve problems efficiently and effectively with minimal risk to all involved.

The SWAT Team trains twice a month, ten hours each day in many different disciplines and is on call twenty-hour hours a day. The team members have all undergone intensive, specialized training, including a rigorous quarterly physical fitness qualification. The team is equipped with the newest weaponry and technology including; rifles, diversionary devices, less lethal weapons, and video equipment which enables the team to search attic/crawl spaces without jeopardizing team safety.

The team is also available to any local, state or federal law enforcement agency upon request.