The Cheektowaga Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team has a proud history. The team was originally founded by Chief Theodore DeFedericis in 1980, along with its partner team, the Tactical Unit Support team. The teams work in conjunction to provide a trained, technically proficient, controlled response to dangerous situations, and to maintain the safety of the citizens of the town. The SWAT Team is comprised of patrolman and detectives, under the direction of sergeants and lieutenants. They respond to a myriad of situations, such as barricaded gunmen, hostage incidents, and emotionally disturbed persons posing a threat to the community. SWAT also is utilized in a more flexible manner, handling situations ranging from civil disturbances, to dignitary protection, to high risk search warrants. The team frequently collaborates with other local Police agencies as well as Federal law enforcement in large scale operations requiring coordination between many jurisdictions.

The Tactical Unit Support Team, commonly referred to as the Support Team, is responsible for the behind the scenes management of the SWAT operation. They handle crisis and hostage negotiation, communications, intelligence, logistics, and the operation of a Mobile Command Post for SWAT deployments. The patrolmen, detectives and public safety dispatchers who make up the Support team work to ensure that SWAT situations are smoothly coordinated and they assist in ensuring the best possible outcome.

Since its first activation in May of 1980 to the present day, the SWAT team stands ready to serve and protect the citizens of the Town of Cheektowaga. They are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for emergency deployment. The team trains regularly and has specialized divisions within it to ensure that they are ready, and are prepared for any possible situation. Its members are selected from officers who have passed a physical fitness test as well as a complex firearm qualification course. Only the very best are chosen, and those who serve on this team do so with honor.