SWAT Breaching Techniques Quiz

Guidelines for Energetic Breaching Operations by SWAT Teams

• Energetic breaching operations are conducted by certified SWAT Team Breachers who are specially trained in the application of explosives or ballistic shotguns to defeat locked doors and other lockable devices.

• The goal of an energetic breach is to defeat barricades and aid in the entry of a crisis point to ensure a safer and more successful resolution of high-risk incidents such as hostage rescues, armed barricaded suspects, and high-risk warrant service.

• Risk factors and intelligence mentioned in the SWAT Utilization/Risk Assessment Matrix, High Risk Incident Checklist, Special Operations Plan, or real-time intelligence are considered when making the decision to utilize Energetic Breaching during SWAT missions.

• Explosive Breach is the application of explosive materials to defeat barricades and gain entry into a structure, and ballistic breaching consists of firing a 12-gauge breaching shotgun round at vulnerable parts of a door to rapidly gain entry into the objective or crisis site.

• Thermal Breaching uses exothermic cutting rods to cut, gouge or pierce metal, and a Breacher is a SWAT Team member who is a certified explosives handler trained in the construction, placement, and initiation of explosive breaching devices.

• A breacher must analyze the target and understand the type of charge and the amount of explosive material required to conduct an effective and safe breach.

• All breachers must attend a formal explosive handlers/breachers course designed for law enforcement applications before conducting any explosive operations.

• The SWAT Team has 12-gauge breaching rounds available for forced entry breaching through locked doors and to defeat other lockable devices to gain entry.

• Authorization for explosive breaching deployment shall be at the discretion of the SWAT Team Commander or designee with final approval of the Incident Commander.

• The loading of the breaching shotguns is to be done during the operation planning phase of a mission, and the “two-person verification” will be practiced ensuring the proper breaching round is loaded.

• Breachers shall maintain explosives in compliance with the rules and regulations mandated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

• An annual inventory of all explosives will be conducted, properly documented, and sent to the Staff Services Section, and a weekly check of all the explosive magazines will be conducted and documented in a master logbook.Guidelines for Explosive Breaching Techniques

• Explosive breaching can be authorized by a command or a breacher.

• After the detonation, the S.W.A.T Team will continue with their tactical plan.

• Minimum stacking distance (MSD) should be considered based on the mission.

• Proper shielding such as shields, breachers blanket, or natural threshold of door and corners should be used.

• The charge used and the intended fortified target should also be considered.

• Breaching techniques are useful but should be used with caution.

• The construction of barricades is unknown in some situations.

• The location and medical condition of occupants/victims are unknown in some situations.

• Explosive breaching will not be used if unstable chemicals or incendiary materials are present.

• Mechanical breaching techniques will be used instead if effective and safe.

• The safety of occupants/victims and team members should be a top priority.

• The use of explosive breaching requires careful planning and execution.