Tactical Breaching
Agent Handbook

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FBI Tactical Breaching Plan

1. Tactical Breaching Overview

Tactical breaching is gaining entry into secured or fortified locations during operations. This requires precision, coordination, and adherence to safety protocols. FBI tactical units are trained to use various breaching methods based on situational requirements, such as manual tools, mechanical devices, or explosives.

Types of Breaching Methods:

• Mechanical Breaching: Tools such as battering rams, bolt cutters, or pry bars are used for doors or barriers.

• Ballistic Breaching: Firearms or specialized shotgun breaching rounds are utilized to destroy doors or locks.

• Manual Breaching: Involves physical effort to bypass barriers using basic tools, typically for low-risk scenarios. (e.g. kicking)

Key Points:

• Always conduct a pre-operation assessment to select the appropriate breaching method.

• Ensure a backup entry point is planned in case of primary breach failure.

• Communicate clearly with all team members during the breaching process.

• Maintain control of the entry point after the breach to prevent unauthorized access.

2. Combat Engagement Protocols

Combat scenarios during operations demand adherence to established FBI protocols to ensure agent and civilian safety while neutralizing threats.

Rules of Engagement (ROE):

• Identify the Threat: Agents must confirm the presence of a hostile actor before engaging.

• De-escalation Priority: Use non-lethal measures or verbal commands whenever feasible.

• Proportional Force: Agents are authorized to use force proportionate to the threat level.

• Deadly Force Authorization: Deadly force is permitted only to prevent imminent death or serious injury to agents or civilians.

Communication in Combat:

• Utilize standard radio procedures to relay updates, including "contact," "clear," and "status check."

• Designate a team leader to issue commands and coordinate actions.

3. Room Clearing Techniques

Room clearing is an essential component of combat operations. It involves systematically securing a structure, room by room, to neutralize threats and ensure safety.

Steps for Room Clearing:

1. Initial Assessment: Use tools like drones to inspect the entry point before breaching.

2. Entry Formation: Teams enter in a stack formation, assigning each member a specific role (e.g., point man, rear guard).

3. Slice the Pie: Agents clear the room by methodically scanning each section before advancing.

4. Verbal Commands: Issue clear commands such as "hands up" or "on the ground" to ensure compliance from occupants.

5. Secure the Room: Verify that the space is free of threats, then signal "room clear."

Specific room clearing tactics are covered below.

Important Considerations:

• Minimize body exposure to open doorways and windows.

• Coordinate with team members to avoid crossfire incidents.

• Use flashbangs or smoke grenades when entering high-risk areas to disorient suspects.

4. Post-Engagement Procedures

After any tactical engagement or breaching operation, the following steps are mandatory:

• Threat Neutralization: Ensure all threats are secured and incapacitated if necessary.

• Medical Response: Provide immediate aid to injured agents, suspects, or civilians.

• Evidence Collection: Secure the scene and document evidence in compliance with legal procedures.

• Incident Reporting: Submit detailed reports covering the operation, including use-of-force incidents, equipment usage, and outcomes.

Expanded Room Clearing Techniques

Room clearing is a precise and systematic process critical to ensuring the safety of both agents and civilians while neutralizing threats. The following expands on the standard protocol for room clearing, incorporating best practices and detailed steps for execution.

1. Approach and Entry

• Silent Movement: Agents must approach the entry point with minimal noise, maintaining a low profile.

• Stack Formation:

  • Pointman (1st): Responsible for immediate entry and clearing of the first sector.

  • Second Unit: Follows the point agent and clears the second sector.

  • Third Unit: Assists in clearing and begins scanning for secondary threats.

  • Last Man: Holds position at the entryway or un-cleared doorways to prevent surprises.

2. Clearing Towards the Left

Upon entry, all agents in the stack follow the directive to clear toward the left unless a specific situation requires deviation:

• The point agent sweeps their assigned sector (typically the area immediately left of the entry point).

• Subsequent agents clear overlapping zones, ensuring no blind spots.

• Agents move systematically and avoid rushing into the room, maintaining a steady pace to ensure thoroughness.

3. Doorway Management

Last Man Duties:

• • Holds any un-cleared doorways or entry points with their firearm aimed and ready.

  • Monitors for movement or potential threats.

Support Agents: Additional agents who are not part of the primary clearing stack will assist the last man by holding un-cleared doors or covering other potential entryways.

4. Marking Cleared Rooms

• Once a room is cleared, the team must mark it clearly to avoid confusion:

  • Use flares or chem lights at the base of the doorframe or attached to the doorknob.

  • Ensure markings are visible to all team members and are consistent across the operation.

  • Communicate to the entire team via radio or verbal acknowledgment: “Room Clear – Marked.”

5. Advanced Room Clearing Tactics

• Pie-ing the Corner:
  Agents "slice the pie" by visually clearing the room section by section from outside before entry. This reduces exposure to potential threats.

• Dynamic Entry:

  • Utilize distraction devices, such as flashbangs, to disorient suspects in high-risk scenarios.

  • Only proceed with dynamic entry when the team has visual confirmation of a significant threat.

• Split Clearing:
  For larger rooms, divide the space into quadrants. Assign agents to clear individual quadrants while maintaining crossfire awareness.

6. Communication and Coordination

• Verbal Commands: Agents must issue clear commands like “Hands up!” or “Stay down!” to manage occupants.

• Radio Updates: Relay room status and threat information to the command:

  • “Left side clear,” “Room clear,” or “Hostile secured.”

• Role Reassignment: After clearing, adjust roles as needed. For instance, the last man can integrate into the stack if additional manpower is required.