Dan
Skinner has been a Police Officer for over 27 years.
He was a Patrol Officer and Supervisor with the
Vacaville California Police Department from 1973 to 1983.
As a Sergeant, he helped organize, train and supervise
Vacaville’s SWAT Team.
He joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1983
where he worked patrol, a Special Problems Unit and a CRASH
(anti-gang) Unit, prior to being accepted into Metropolitan
Division in 1988.
In 1989, Dan completed the selection process for SWAT,
and is currently an Element Leader
with the additional duties of a Lead Climber and Crisis
Negotiator.
Dan is also a former Sniper and Firearms Cadre Member
with LAPD SWAT.
He is a Department-Certified Handgun and Shotgun
Instructor, and has taught basic and advanced SWAT courses for
the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and
for the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA).
He has assisted in teaching the MP5 Subgun Course for
the NTOA and for new LAPD SWAT officers.
As an original member of the LAPD Climbing Cadre, Dan
received instruction at the USMC Mountain Warfare Training
Center, USMC Helicopter Rope Suspension Training, as well as
training with Rangers in charge of the Yosemite Search and
Rescue Team, and with civilian climbing instructors, Dan Osman
and Bob Gaines.
As an LAPD SWAT Lead Climber, Dan is also tasked with
providing rappel and climbing training for new Cadre members,
as well as the SWAT Team as a whole.
