Operating one of the country’s most visible and prestigious Special Weapons and Tactics – SWAT – teams grows more expensive and challenging each year. The good news is, the annual SWAT Charity Golf Tournament, a primary fundraising tool to meet these expenses, is growing bigger and better to meet the needs.
This year’s annual dinner and golf tournament is set for Aug. 31 at Trump National Golf Club, a public course, in Rancho Palos Verdes.
“This year, the SWAT team’s allocated budget – for everything – is $27,500,” explained Officer III Martin Beck, SWAT Officer out of Metro Division, where SWAT is located. “Not per Officer, for the whole team. That just covers ammunition and flashbang maintenance. For the rest – technology, safety equipment, ballistic armor, comms, medical equipment and outside training – that’s all done through grants and funding of events like this. That’s why it’s so important.”
Police Foundation
“Dana Katz at the Police Foundation is amazing,” Officer Beck continued. “She works with us every year on this event and things outside of this event, too, to try to help us get the tools that we need to do our job on a day-to-day basis. We’re able to do a lot of things because of her, and also because of Mario Rios and Steve Hernandez, the pioneers of this tournament.”
Club and Aflac to Sponsor
The Club and insurance partner Aflac are teaming up to sponsor this year’s SWAT dinner and golf tournament.
It’s the Club’s first year of sponsorship. Aflac has sponsored the tournament since the first event in 2014, and has been a vendor to the LAPD for more than 35 years.
This sponsorship is an outgrowth of the Club’s Code of Conduct and Ethics, signed by the partners in 2025.
“Our joint sponsorship solidifies our partnership with the Club,” says Andy Trujillo, Aflac Regional Sales Coordinator. “That’s a big thing. We both believe in supporting the LAPD and the SWAT team. We can do it together.”
“This is a great opportunity for Aflac and the Club to come together to support this great need,” said Oscar Fregoso, Aflac Special Project Coordinator. “We’re getting the word out.”
More Than Just Golf
“This is not just a golf tournament, it’s also a dinner as well,” Officer Beck said. “At the dinner we honor things that have happened throughout the year and award Officer of the Year, Sniper of the Year and other achievements. The dinner is a way for us to bond with our supporters. It’s a big event for us.
“We’re always looking for new participants, donors and sponsorships. Most people out there are really interested in being a part of this event. We welcome them.
“The funds that we raise translate to increased public safety. That’s the ultimate goal.”
