SOP 291 - Critical Incident Response.pdf

SOP HOLLYWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT...

SOP HOLLYWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT #291 CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE ORIGINATION DATE: 11/01/2001 REVISED DATE: 07/20/2022 APPROVED: CHIEF OF POLICE, JEFF DEVLIN PURPOSE: To provide standards and guidelines for the Agency’s response to critical incidents, crisis situations and other emergencies. Critical incidents would include such scenarios as hostage situations, barricaded persons and other emergency situations. SCOPE: This SOP applies to all Members of this Department. POLICY: In all critical incident situations, the protection of human life is the Agency’s top priority. Whenever possible, the Department will attempt to resolve critical incidents through communication and negotiation. However, the Department will be ever mindful that the protection of human life also requires the operational development, readiness and ability to respond accordingly to deteriorating conditions should the situation dictate. INDEX: PROCEDURE:.............................................................................................................................................. 2 I. MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES................................................................................................................ 2 A. FIRST RESPONDING OFFICER:............................................................................................................... 2 B. FIRST RESPONDING SUPERVISOR:......................................................................................................... 2 C. SHIFT LIEUTENANT:.............................................................................................................................. 3 D. INCIDENT COMMANDER:........................................................................................................................ 3 II. OPERATIONAL PLAN.............................................................................................................................. 4 A. CENTRAL COMMAND POST:................................................................................................................... 4 B. INTELLIGENCE:..................................................................................................................................... 4 C. CRISIS NEGOTIATION PROCEDURES:..................................................................................................... 6 D. SWAT TEAM PROCEDURES:................................................................................................................. 7 E. NEWS MEDIA POLICY:........................................................................................................................... 8 F. AFTER ACTION REPORTS:..................................................................................................................... 8 III.CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT.................................................................................... 8 INCIDENTS:........................................................................................................................................... 8 B. PROCEDURES:...................................................................................................................................... 9 IV.DEFINITIONS:.......................................................................................................................................... 9 SOP #291 Critical Incident Response Page 1 of 9  A. CRITICAL OR TRAUMATIC INCIDENT:...................................................................................................... 9 B. DEBRIEFING:........................................................................................................................................ 9 PROCEDURE: I. MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES A. First Responding Officer: The first responding Officer to a Hostage Situation, Barricaded Person or Critical Incident will be responsible for the following: 1. Taking all necessary precautions to prevent injury to Police personnel. 2. Containing the suspect. 3. Maintaining firearm discipline. 4. Evacuating endangered bystanders from the location and debriefing those evacuated for information about the incident. a. If the immediate need to evacuate to ensure the safety of person(s) is evident, the Officer will react accordingly. b. If the evacuation does not need to be accomplished immediately, a Supervisor will be advised. 5. Evacuating Injured Persons: a. Arriving Officers will determine the safest evacuation route. b. Is the injured person in a position of danger due to the suspect’s ability to cause additional harm? c. Is the injured person conscious? d. Does the injured person have the ability to communicate with Officers? e. Officers will advise the responding Supervisor of the situation. f. Fire Rescue will immediately be summoned to respond to the area. g. If it can be accomplished safely, an evacuation attempt will be executed by responding Officers. h. Ideally, perimeters will be established, and the SWAT Team will have the responsibility of attempting evacuations. i. Evacuated persons with injuries will be turned over to Fire Rescue Personnel for treatment and transportation to the closest medical facility. 6. Advising responding Police Units of the safest travel route to the scene. 7. Keeping all unauthorized persons from entering the outside perimeter. 8. Keeping all non-Police personnel from nearing the inner perimeter. 9. Attempting to prevent the suspect from contacting anyone except the Police. 10. Preventing anyone from contacting the suspect. 11. Establishing a dedicated radio channel for conducting emergency transmissions and communicating with other Agencies. B. First Responding Supervisor: The first Supervisor on scene at a hostage situation, barricaded person or critical incident will be responsible for the following: SOP #291 Critical Incident Response Page 2 of 9  1. Establishing Perimeters: a. Inner Perimeter: (1.) The inner perimeter will encircle the incident location to contain the suspect and monitor his actions. (2.) No person will be allowed to access the inner perimeter other than Law Enforcement Personnel without authorization from a Supervisor. (3.) Officers staffing perimeter positions will seek proper protective cover. A position allowing an unrestricted view of the scene should be selected. b. Outer perimeter: (1.) The outer perimeter will encircle the entire incident location to restrict access to unauthorized persons, and maintain the integrity of the inner perimeter. (2.) Officers staffing outer perimeter positions will not allow any person to enter the perimeter without Supervisory authorization. (3.) Persons evacuated from the incident location will not be allowed to return through the outer perimeter without Supervisory authorization. 2. The first responding Supervisor will establish a Central Command Post. 3. The highest-ranking Supervisor on scene will be in charge of the incident, until an Incident Commander is designated. 4. Evaluating the need and making arrangements for the immediate evacuation of the area. 5. If an immediate evacuation of the area is not necessary, an evacuation plan will be developed. If possible, all evacuations will be made by the SWAT Team after an inner perimeter is established. C. Shift Lieutenant: The On-duty Shift Lieutenant is responsible for the following: 1. Assuming Command of the situation. 2. Advising the On-Call Staff Duty Officer or, if on-duty, a Patrol Division Major of the situation. 3. Insuring that all required duties and responsibilities of subordinates are being complied with. 4. Summoning the Public Information Officer (PIO) to the scene. 5. Responding to the Command Post and assisting the Incident Commander. D. Incident Commander: During normal duty hours, a Patrol Division Major will assume the duties of Incident Commander. After normal duty hours, the On-Call Staff Duty Officer assumes the duties of Incident Commander. The Incident Commander is responsible for the following: 1. Responding to the scene and assuming Command of the incident. 2. Evaluating the situation and determining the appropriate Personnel response. These Members will be notified by the Communications Center and may include: a. SWAT Team. b. Crisis Negotiation Team. c. Additional Officers and Supervisors. d. Field Force Team. e. Canine Unit. SOP #291 Critical Incident Response Page 3 of 9  3. Special Requests: At all critical incident scenes, the Incident Commander will request the following, if applicable for operational assistance: a. Hollywood Fire Rescue Department. b. Surveillance Equipment. 4. Authorizing the Use of Force and Chemical Agents: a. The SWAT Commander will submit a tactical plan to the Incident Commander, which contains use of force and chemical agent recommendations. b. The Incident Commander must approve the tactical plan and authorize the use of force or use of chemical agents before the plan is executed. c. If the situation deteriorates prior to that approval, Officers will be guided by the Use of Force Continuum. 5. The Incident Commander may designate marked or unmarked Police vehicles to function as Pursuit or Surveillance vehicles should the need arise. a. The decision to use a marked or unmarked vehicle for these purposes will depend on the particular circumstances of the situation. b. The Incident Commander should also consider the availability of vehicle tracking devices and the use of air surveillance. 6. The Incident Commander or his designee may direct Officers to control travel routes via the blocking of roadways, intersections and other routes of travel. II. OPERATIONAL PLAN A. Central Command Post: The Central Command Post will be established in a secure location, out of direct sight of the suspect(s), preferably in close proximity to the outer perimeter. The Command Post will be staffed by the following personnel, at a minimum: 1. Documentation Officer who will prepare the following: a. Event Log. b. Personnel Log. c. Incident Report. 2. SWAT Team Commander who will coordinate the activities of the Central Command Post and the Tactical Command Post. 3. Public Information Officer. 4. Intelligence Officer. 5. Any responding Officer without an assignment will report to the Central Command Post for direction and assignment. 6. Fire Department and Fire Rescue Personnel. 7. Any other Personnel as designated by the Incident Commander. B. Intelligence: The more Intelligence information that can be obtained, the better prepared the Police will be in assessing the situation. A Member of the Criminal Investigations Division will be assigned to assist in obtaining intelligence information. Any information gathered will be given to the Incident Commander. SOP #291 Critical Incident Response Page 4 of 9  1. All attempts should be made to obtain the following information on the suspect(s), and/or hostages, and location. a. Suspects: (1.) How many suspects? (2.) Who are the suspects? (3.) Where are the suspects located? (4.) Language suspect speaks. (5.) Do the suspects appear to be organized? (6.) How are the suspects acting? (7.) Are the suspects armed and with what? (8.) Are there any known suspect vehicles? b. Location: (1.) Type of location. (2.) Building plans. (3.) Entry points. (4.) Are dangerous materials stored inside? (5.) Are weapons inside? (6.) Retrieve all telephone numbers of the location. c. Hostages: (1.) How many hostages? (2.) Identity of hostages. (3.) Where are the hostages being held? (4.) What is the mental/physical condition of the hostages? 2. Sources of intelligence information: a. Employees of the concerned location. b. Neighbors familiar with the location. c. Family Members of the suspect or hostage. d. Parole/Probation Officers. e. Police Officers. f. Medical personnel. g. Released hostages. h. Captured suspects. i. Friends of the suspects. j. Utility company employees. k. Social Media 3. Intelligence to consider: a. Attempt to measure the emotional stability of the subject: (1.) Is the person emotionally unstable? SOP #291 Critical Incident Response Page 5 of 9  (2.) Is the person speaking rationally or not making sense? b. Attempt to establish if the person is dedicated to the cause, or is the situation brought on by the incident. c. While awaiting the Crisis Negotiation Team, do not offer suggestions or possible solutions to the suspect(s). C. Crisis Negotiation Procedures: The Crisis Negotiation Team will be utilized in an attempt to contact hostage takers, barricaded persons, or other persons involved in a critical incident. The Crisis Negotiation Team’s objective is to resolve the incident peacefully through communication and negotiation. 1. The Crisis Negotiation Team will be called-out when there is a need to secure the release of a hostage, negotiate the surrender of a suspect or in any other situation deemed appropriate by Command Personnel. 2. Crisis Negotiation Team Responsibilities: a. A Crisis Negotiator Team Supervisor and a minimum of two Negotiators will be called out on any given incident. b. The Crisis Negotiation Team Commander, based on the situation at hand, will make the decision to call-out additional Negotiators. c. The Crisis Negotiation Team Commander or Supervisor will assign specific duties and responsibilities to Unit Members. 3. Crisis Negotiation Team Notification: a. The names and phone numbers of Team Members will be posted in the Communications Center. b. The Crisis Negotiation Team Commander or his designee will be contacted first. c. The Crisis Negotiation Team Commander, or his designee, will advise Communications Personnel of the desired call out process. 4. Crisis Negotiator Selection Criteria: a. Open positions for Crisis Negotiator will be announced Department-wide. b. Candidates will be required to pass an oral interview. c. A Negotiator is required to possess the following skills and/or training: (1.) Basic Hostage Negotiations Training School. (2.) Superior communication skills. (3.) Active listening skills. (4.) Good common sense. (5.) High level of tolerance & patience. d. Prior to participating in any negotiation, a Member must complete one of the following: (1.) FBI Negotiator’s Course. (2.) IPTM Negotiator’s Course. (3.) Negotiations Training program provided by Broward County Community College, Criminal Justice Institute, or other recognized colleges or institutions. SOP #291 Critical Incident Response Page 6 of 9  D. SWAT Team Procedures: Tactical action is taken only when it appears that all other options have failed, or it appears that the suspect has harmed or will harm the hostage(s). 1. SWAT Team Activation: a. The SWAT Team is available for high-risk situations. b. SWAT Officers are trained to handle high-risk incidents, minimizing the danger to both Police Personnel and innocent bystanders. c. When Commanders are faced with a hostage or barricaded suspect situation, every effort will be made to utilize the SWAT Team as outlined within this SOP. d. When Commanders have determined that a SWAT call out may be necessary, they must notify the Staff Duty Officer for authorization. Once authorization by the Staff Duty Officer has been granted, the Commander(s) will notify the SWAT Commander. The SWAT Commander will determine if a SWAT Team response is necessary, and if required, the appropriate call out response level. 2. SWAT Team Call Out Response Levels: a. Level I (1.) Blue or Black Team Members to include a SWAT Sergeant and SWAT Commander. b. Level II (1.) Full SWAT Team activation. 3. SWAT Members Responsibilities: a. The SWAT Team Commander is responsible for, but not limited to the following duties and responsibilities: (1.) The SWAT Team Commander will liaison and present tactical operations to the Incident Commander. (2.) Establish a tactical command post (TCP). (3.) Selecting travel route(s) to TCP. (4.) Designating Team assignments and positions. (5.) Formulating a tactical plan of action. (6.) Positioning of inner perimeter Officers, once SWAT is on the scene of a tactical operation. (7.) Determining the use of chemical agents and diversionary devices. b. The SWAT Team Sergeants are responsible for, but not limited to the following duties and responsibilities: (1.) Assisting the SWAT Commander in preparation at crisis situations (2.) Assuming Command of the SWAT Team in the absence of the SWAT Commander and performing the duties and responsibilities of the SWAT Team Commander. (3.) Designating Team assignments and positions. (4.) Formulating a tactical plan of action. (5.) Determining the use of chemical agents and diversionary devices. c. SWAT Team Officers are trained in the use of special weapons and tactics. Their duties and responsibilities include the following: (1.) Inner perimeter security. SOP #291 Critical Incident Response Page 7 of 9  (2.) Building entry and suspect apprehension. (3.) Hostage rescue. (4.) Team security. (5.) Delivery of chemical agents. (6.) Delivery of special purpose munitions. (7.) Anti-sniper techniques. E. News Media Policy: The PIO will be responsible for the control of media personnel and the dissemination of all information and news releases. The Department will cooperate as much as possible with the news media and will provide and authorize access by establishing a location where Members of the media will be directed. The following will apply: 1. The location will be in a secure area away from an established Command Post. 2. Members of the media will not be allowed at a Command Post. 3. Members of the media will not be allowed inside the outer perimeter without the approval of the Incident Commander. 4. Information will only be released with the approval of the Incident Commander. 5. All information distributed to the media will be through the PIO. 6. After the incident has ended, all photographs and interviews will be coordinated with the PIO. 7. Specific details concerning the tactics or actions of the Crisis Negotiating Team or the SWAT Team will not be released to the media without review of the Crisis Negotiation Team Commander or SWAT Commander. F. After Action Reports: Unless otherwise directed by the Chief of Police, the following reports will be prepared as soon as possible after the culmination of the event and submitted to the Patrol Division Major, SWAT Commander, Crisis Negotiation Team Commander, and if applicable, the Staff Duty Officer for review. 1. After Action Report (Crisis Negotiation Team Incident Report) prepared by a Member of the Crisis Negotiation Team. 2. After Action Report prepared by a Member of the SWAT Team. 3. All Officer and Investigator reports and statements. 4. Other reports as necessary. III. CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT The Hollywood Police Department is committed to providing on-scene response, defusing, debriefings, peer support, one-on-one crisis intervention, referrals and follow up to members who are affected by a critical incident. (see SOP 108 Peer Support Program reference activation of the Peer Support Team) Incidents: 1. The below list is not all-inclusive and is intended to provide Members with examples of incidents that may require a Critical Incident Stress Debrief with a Mental Health Consultant; a. Murder or suicide of a Department Member. b. Any Officer involved shooting involving injury or death to another person. SOP #291 Critical Incident Response Page 8 of 9  c. Any police related incident resulting in serious injury and/or death. d. Any mass casualty incident, such as plane crash, bus crash, or any incident with multiple seriously injured victims resulting from any criminal or natural disaster. e. Death or severe injury to a child f. Potentially life threatening experiences or injuries (ex. Officer injured by a suspect, traffic crash, etc.) g. Any incident in which the circumstances were so unusual or the sights and sounds so distressing as to produce a high level of immediate or delayed emotional reaction. B. Procedures: 1. The following are the Critical Incident Stress Debrief Procedures: a. The Major of the incident or the Major of the member will advise the Peer Support Team Coordinator to facilitate a Critical Incident Stress Debrief (CISD). b. The PST Coordinator will contact the Mental Health Consultant about the incident and the scheduling of appointments. c. The PST Coordinator will contact the involved member and explain the CISD and provide them their appointment date and time. d. The PST Coordinator will provide the involved member with the written order, signed by the Major, requiring their participation. e. The Mental Health Consultant will advise the PST Coordinator if the member attended the CISD. The PST Coordinator will follow up with the member to provide additional resources, if applicable. IV. DEFINITIONS: A. Critical or Traumatic Incident: Any event that has the potential to overwhelm an individual’s usual ability to cope and which may interfere with the functioning of a person’s coping skills immediately or in the future. B. Debriefing: A closed confidential discussion with Members of the Peer Support Team or Mental Health Consultant and the Sworn or Civilian personnel directly involved in a critical or traumatic incident. The purpose of the meeting is to validate emotional reactions to trauma, and educate the participants in stress management techniques. A debriefing is NOT an evaluation, mental health counseling, or an operational critique of the event. Debriefings should occur within 1-7 days after the incident. ATTACHMENTS: Appendix A. Critical Incident Brochure SOP #291 Critical Incident Response Page 9 of 9 Signs and symptoms of a stress reac- tion may last anywhere from a few You are Not Alone days, to a few weeks, or sometimes longer. We are Here to Help Symptoms of PTSD typically manifest EAP 800-833-8707 within 30 days, but symptoms might www.myccaonline.com— not appear for months or years after Company code—Hollywood the incident. BlueHelp.org What to Do—Positive Coping CopLine 1-800-267-5463  Physical exercise alternated with TheWoundedBlue.org relaxation  Maintain a normal schedule Safe Call Now  Talk it out. 1-206-459-3020  Eat well-balanced and regular Wounded Officers Initiative meals 855-964-2583  Stay hydrated  Spend time with people who care Cop2Cop 866-267-2267  Get plenty of rest Valor Program through Ft. What Not to Do—Negative Coping Lauderdale Behavioral Health Center 888-616-3089  Don’t try to “numb” the pain with Law Enforcement Psycholog- the inappropriate use of alcohol, ical and Counseling Associ- prescriptions, drugs, or food. ates—305-442-8800  Don’t make any big life changes or decisions. Hollywood Peer Support  Avoid isolation and stay engaged Team Contacts available via with others PowerDMS Peer Support Resource Folder. **When in Doubt** **Contact Professional Help** 1 291 Appendix A If you are involved in a Deadly Force Inci-  If your Taser or gun/rifle were fired, they If you have experienced a traumatic dent or an Incident where your actions will be taken as evidence. Upon approval, event or a critical incident you may resulted in/or may have resulted in death you’ll be issued a replacement primary be experiencing a strong emotional or serous injury the following may occur: duty weapon by the Training Lieutenant or physical reaction.  A PBA Rep and Attorney will be con- or Range Master. tacted to respond. Here are some common signs and  A Supervisor will arrange for you to be symptoms of a stress reaction.  FDLE will be conducting the investiga- driven home. Depending on the circum- tion. IA will complete an administrative  Increased or loss of appetite stances you may be assigned an unmarked review. vehicle. Agitation  The only questions you may be asked Hypervigilance will pertain to:  A Critical Incident Stress Debrief will be coordinated by the Peer Support Team  Social Isolation Location of injured persons Coordinator.  Flashbacks Description and location of suspects  Anxiety Description of the incident scene  A decision regarding your change in status  Mistrust Location of evidence and weapons from Administrative Leave will not be  Nightmares made without a review of all incident re-  An Officer will be assigned to stay with ports.  Insomnia you while on scene. This will usually oc-  Guilt cur by having you sit in someone else’s  You may be placed on a Limited Duty  Loneliness vehicle. status while further investigations are  Emotional Detachment  Photographs and a count of your ammo completed. This could entail working for Helplessness will be done outside of the public view. a different unit. You may get the option The command vehicle may be used or to stay on Administrative leave.  Lack of Motivation this could be done at the PD.  Lack of Interest  You can expect to be placed on Admin-  While on Limited Duty, expect to refrain  Depression/Feeling Overwhelmed istrative Leave with Pay. The Adminis- from the following:  Trouble Concentrating Outside employment of a Police nature trative leave with Pay form which in-  Self Destructive Behavior cludes the following instructions will be Wearing of the Departmental uniform Work or coordination of extra-duty Drinking too Much given to you: Substance Abuse details You will be placed on an 8 hour Operating a marked unit Risky Behaviors day—Monday—Friday. Taking or performing any Police action  Chest pains You must remain at home between except in life threatening situations.  Rapid Heart Rate 0800-1600 hours.  Elevated Blood Pressure  Upon your return to full duty, you will You cannot perform any official  Fatigue receive a memo advising such and the Police functions (Ex. Details). These are normal reactions to training department will facilitate requali- fication with your duty weapon. abnormal circumstances. 2 291 Appendix A