The Mission of the SWAT Unit is to save lives and arrest suspects. To that end, it is SWAT's primary responsibility to respond to barricaded persons, hostage incidents, crowd and riot control, emotionally disturbed persons who pose a threat to the community, and sniper incidents. In addition, the SWAT Unit functions as a mobile, flexible force for special police problems that require a highly trained, specially equipped and disciplined unit. Special problems that may require a SWAT Unit response include civil disturbances, surveillance, security details, fugitive apprehension and high-risk search and arrest warrants.

The SWAT Unit is comprised of 28 members of the Loveland Police Department, who work in five teams: Tactical, Negotiations, Intelligence, Technical Support and Tactical Paramedics. The team originated in the late 1970s as a response to growing threat of high risk and violent incidents. SWAT members are department members who work in the unit as a collateral assignment.

Team members participate in extensive monthly training, including weapons proficiency, tactical operations and movement, negotiations philosophy, and critical incident review. Training is accomplished through lectures, demonstration, audio-visual training, use of various training sites, and live fire training exercises which simulate, as much as possible, real life situations.