Special Weapons and Tactics- Guidelines
100.8 OPERATION GUIDELINES FOR CRISIS RESPONSE UNIT
The following procedures serve as guidelines for the operational deployment of the Special Response Team. Generally, the Special Response Team and the Crisis Negotiation Team will be activated together. It is recognized, however, that a tactical team may be used in a situation not requiring the physical presence of the Crisis Negotiation Team such as warrant service operations. This shall be at the discretion of the SRT Commander.
100.8.1 ON-SCENE DETERMINATION
The supervisor in charge on the scene of a particular event will assess whether the Special Response Team is to respond to the scene. Upon final determination by the Watch Commander, he/she will notify the SRT Commander.
100.8.2 APPROPRIATE SITUATIONS FOR USE OF CRISIS RESPONSE UNIT The following are examples of incidents which may result in the activation of the Special Response Team:
(a) Barricaded suspects who refuse an order to surrender.
(b) Incidents where hostages are taken.
(c) Cases of suicide threats.
(d) Arrests of dangerous persons.
(e) Any situation that could enhance the ability to preserve life, maintain social order, and ensure the protection of property.
100.8.3 OUTSIDE AGENCY REQUESTS
Requests by field personnel for assistance from outside agency crisis units must be approved by the Watch Commander. Deployment of the Seaside Police Department Special Response Team in response to requests by other agencies must be authorized by a Division Commander.
100.8.4 MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL SWAT OPERATIONS
The Special Response Team, including relevant specialized units and supporting resources, should develop protocols, agreements, or working relationships to support multijurisdictional or regional responses:
(A) If it is anticipated that multi-jurisdictional SRT operations will regularly be conducted; SRT multi-agency and multi-disciplinary joint training exercises are encouraged.
(B) Members of the Special Response Unit shall operate under the policies, procedures and command of the Orange County Sheriff Office when working in a multi-agency situation.
100.8.5 MOBILIZATION OF CRISIS RESPONSE UNIT
The On-Scene supervisor shall make a request to the Watch Commander for the Special Response Unit. The Watch Commander shall then notify the SRT Commander. If unavailable, a team supervisor shall be notified. The Watch Commander will then notify the Field Operations Division Commander as soon as practical. The Watch Commander should advise the SRT Commander with as much of the following information which is available at the time:
(A) The number of suspects, known weapons and resources.
(B) If the suspect is in control of hostages.
(C) If the suspect is barricaded.
(D) The type of crime involved.
(E) If the suspect has threatened or attempted suicide. (F) The location of the command post and a safe approach to it.
(G) The extent of any perimeter and the number of officers involved.
(H) Any other important facts critical to the immediate situation and whether the suspect has refused an order to surrender. The SRT Commander or supervisor shall then call selected officers to respond.
100.8.6 FIELD UNIT RESPONSIBILITIES
While waiting for the Special Response Unit, field personnel should, if safe, practical and sufficient resources exist:
(A) Establish an inner and outer perimeter.
(B) Establish a command post outside of the inner perimeter.
(C) Establish an arrest/response team. The team actions may include:
1. Securing any subject or suspect who may surrender.
2. Taking action to mitigate a deadly threat or behavior.
(D) Evacuate any injured persons or citizens in the zone of danger.
(E) Attempt to establish preliminary communication with the suspect. Once the SRT has arrived, all negotiations should generally be halted to allow the negotiators and SRT time to set up.
(F) Be prepared to brief the SRU Commander on the situation.
(G) Plan for, and stage, anticipated resources.
100.8.7 ON-SCENE COMMAND RESPONSIBILITIES
Upon arrival of the Special Response Unit at the scene, the Incident Commander shall brief the SRT Commander and team supervisors about the situation. Upon review, it will be the Incident Commander's decision, with input from the SRT Commander, whether to deploy the Special Response Team. Once the Incident Commander authorizes deployment, the SRT Commander will be responsible for the tactical portion of the operation. The Incident Commander shall continue supervision of the command post operation, outer perimeter security, and support for the Special Response Unit. The Incident Commander and the SRT Commander (or his or her designee) shall maintain communications at all times. Unless otherwise relieved by a supervisor, the initial officer at the scene is responsible for completion of reports or coordination of reports for the hostage/barricade incident. The Incident Commander, Tactical Commander, and Team Leaders shall file operational reports on the actions taken.
100.8.8 COMMUNICATION WITH CRISIS RESPONSE UNIT PERSONNEL
All of those persons who are non-Special Response Unit personnel should refrain from any non-emergency contact or interference with any member of the unit during active negotiations. Operations require the utmost in concentration by involved personnel and, as a result, no one should interrupt or communicate with SRT personnel directly. All non-emergency communications shall be channeled through the Negotiation Team Supervisor or his or her designee.
The following procedures serve as guidelines for the operational deployment of the Special Response Team. Generally, the Special Response Team and the Crisis Negotiation Team will be activated together. It is recognized, however, that a tactical team may be used in a situation not requiring the physical presence of the Crisis Negotiation Team such as warrant service operations. This shall be at the discretion of the SRT Commander.
100.8.1 ON-SCENE DETERMINATION
The supervisor in charge on the scene of a particular event will assess whether the Special Response Team is to respond to the scene. Upon final determination by the Watch Commander, he/she will notify the SRT Commander.
100.8.2 APPROPRIATE SITUATIONS FOR USE OF CRISIS RESPONSE UNIT The following are examples of incidents which may result in the activation of the Special Response Team:
(a) Barricaded suspects who refuse an order to surrender.
(b) Incidents where hostages are taken.
(c) Cases of suicide threats.
(d) Arrests of dangerous persons.
(e) Any situation that could enhance the ability to preserve life, maintain social order, and ensure the protection of property.
100.8.3 OUTSIDE AGENCY REQUESTS
Requests by field personnel for assistance from outside agency crisis units must be approved by the Watch Commander. Deployment of the Seaside Police Department Special Response Team in response to requests by other agencies must be authorized by a Division Commander.
100.8.4 MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL SWAT OPERATIONS
The Special Response Team, including relevant specialized units and supporting resources, should develop protocols, agreements, or working relationships to support multijurisdictional or regional responses:
(A) If it is anticipated that multi-jurisdictional SRT operations will regularly be conducted; SRT multi-agency and multi-disciplinary joint training exercises are encouraged.
(B) Members of the Special Response Unit shall operate under the policies, procedures and command of the Orange County Sheriff Office when working in a multi-agency situation.
100.8.5 MOBILIZATION OF CRISIS RESPONSE UNIT
The On-Scene supervisor shall make a request to the Watch Commander for the Special Response Unit. The Watch Commander shall then notify the SRT Commander. If unavailable, a team supervisor shall be notified. The Watch Commander will then notify the Field Operations Division Commander as soon as practical. The Watch Commander should advise the SRT Commander with as much of the following information which is available at the time:
(A) The number of suspects, known weapons and resources.
(B) If the suspect is in control of hostages.
(C) If the suspect is barricaded.
(D) The type of crime involved.
(E) If the suspect has threatened or attempted suicide. (F) The location of the command post and a safe approach to it.
(G) The extent of any perimeter and the number of officers involved.
(H) Any other important facts critical to the immediate situation and whether the suspect has refused an order to surrender. The SRT Commander or supervisor shall then call selected officers to respond.
100.8.6 FIELD UNIT RESPONSIBILITIES
While waiting for the Special Response Unit, field personnel should, if safe, practical and sufficient resources exist:
(A) Establish an inner and outer perimeter.
(B) Establish a command post outside of the inner perimeter.
(C) Establish an arrest/response team. The team actions may include:
1. Securing any subject or suspect who may surrender.
2. Taking action to mitigate a deadly threat or behavior.
(D) Evacuate any injured persons or citizens in the zone of danger.
(E) Attempt to establish preliminary communication with the suspect. Once the SRT has arrived, all negotiations should generally be halted to allow the negotiators and SRT time to set up.
(F) Be prepared to brief the SRU Commander on the situation.
(G) Plan for, and stage, anticipated resources.
100.8.7 ON-SCENE COMMAND RESPONSIBILITIES
Upon arrival of the Special Response Unit at the scene, the Incident Commander shall brief the SRT Commander and team supervisors about the situation. Upon review, it will be the Incident Commander's decision, with input from the SRT Commander, whether to deploy the Special Response Team. Once the Incident Commander authorizes deployment, the SRT Commander will be responsible for the tactical portion of the operation. The Incident Commander shall continue supervision of the command post operation, outer perimeter security, and support for the Special Response Unit. The Incident Commander and the SRT Commander (or his or her designee) shall maintain communications at all times. Unless otherwise relieved by a supervisor, the initial officer at the scene is responsible for completion of reports or coordination of reports for the hostage/barricade incident. The Incident Commander, Tactical Commander, and Team Leaders shall file operational reports on the actions taken.
100.8.8 COMMUNICATION WITH CRISIS RESPONSE UNIT PERSONNEL
All of those persons who are non-Special Response Unit personnel should refrain from any non-emergency contact or interference with any member of the unit during active negotiations. Operations require the utmost in concentration by involved personnel and, as a result, no one should interrupt or communicate with SRT personnel directly. All non-emergency communications shall be channeled through the Negotiation Team Supervisor or his or her designee.
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Copyright MechanicJake1, New York State Police. 1/19/2025