Boca Raton Police SWAT Team Standard Operating Procedure PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 46.10 SWAT TEAM Revised: March 9, 2022 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish guidelines for the selection, training, equipping, and use of the Boca Raton Police Services Department’s Special...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 46.10 SWAT TEAM Revised: March 9, 2022 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish guidelines for the selection, training, equipping, and use of the Boca Raton Police Services Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team. It is the intent of the Boca Raton Police Services Department to provide a highly trained and skilled tactical team as a resource for the handling of critical incidents. II. PROCEDURE: A. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 17.04 1. The SWAT Team supports the Department and any other requesting law enforcement agency’s personnel (when allowed by Department policy) with a tactical response to critical incidents. Critical incidents are defined as follows: a. Hostage situations: the holding of any person(s) against his/her will by an armed or potentially armed suspect. b. Barricade situations: the standoff created by an armed or potentially armed suspect in any location, whether fortified or not, who is refusing to comply with police demands for surrender. c. Sniper situations: the firing upon citizens and/or police by an armed suspect, whether stationary or mobile. d. Apprehension: the arrest or capture of armed or potentially armed suspect(s) where there is the likelihood of armed resistance. e. Warrant service: the execution of search or arrest warrants where there is a likelihood of armed or potentially armed suspect(s) and there is the potential of armed resistance. f. Personal protection: the security of special persons, such as VIP’s, witnesses, or suspects, based on threat or potential threat to the wellbeing of those persons. Effective: September 3, 2002 Revised: March 9, 2022 SWAT Team SOP No. 46.10 Page 1 of 14 g. Special assignments: any assignment, approved by the chief of police or his/her designee, based upon the level of threat or the need for special expertise. B. COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE: 17.04 1. The Boca Raton Police Services Department’s SWAT Team is comprised of law enforcement officers (LEOs) and Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services paramedics. The descriptions and duties of each position within the Team are as follows: a. Team Commander: i. Shall be appointed by the chief of police. ii. Shall have completed basic SWAT training as well as courses in SWAT management, tactics, and concepts. iii. Shall attend and participate, as time allows, in team training sessions. iv. Shall be responsible for the overall command of the team and direct supervision of the assistant team commander. v. Shall be responsible for ensuring that all team members receive sufficient training and certification. b. Assistant Team Commander: i. Shall be recommended by the SWAT commander and approved by the chief of police and hold the rank of sergeant or above. ii. Shall have completed basic SWAT training as well as courses in SWAT management, tactics, and concepts. iii. Shall be responsible for duties designated by the team commander, as well as the planning of team training, maintenance of team equipment, and maintenance of accurate training and activity records. iv. Shall assume the role of team commander during the commander’s absence. c. Team Leader: i. Shall be recommended by the SWAT commander and approved by the chief of police or his/her designee. Effective: September 3, 2002 Revised: March 9, 2022 ii. Shall be a current SWAT Team member. iii. Must have completed basic SWAT training. SWAT Team SOP No. 46.10 Page 2 of 14 iv. Shall assume command and be responsible for all team members assigned. v. Shall assist the team commander and assistant team commander with planning, training, equipment, inspection, and any other assignment as required. d. Team Member: i. Shall not hold rank higher than a sergeant. ii. Shall attend basic SWAT training as soon as possible after appointment to the team. iii. Shall be responsible for all duties and assignments delegated by team leaders. iv. Shall be responsible for complying with all Departmental rules/regulations, policy and procedures, and written directives. e. Medic: i. The SWAT medic is a Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic who has applied and been accepted as a member of the SWAT Team after meeting the selection criteria. ii. Shall be responsible for all duties and assignments delegated by team leaders. iii. Shall be responsible for complying with all Departmental rules/regulations, policy and procedures, and written directives while acting in the role of SWAT medic. C. COMMAND CONTROL: 1. The SWAT team commander reports to the Division Commander within his/her chain of command. 2. When activated for an operation, the SWAT team commander, or his/her designee, reports directly to the incident commander, where one has been designated, or to the on-scene supervisor. 3. The SWAT team commander is responsible for deployment of the SWAT Team, tactical decision making, and tactical resolution of the incident. 4. The SWAT Team commander is subordinate to the incident commander only in terms of when and if the tactical option will be initiated, not how it will be performed. Effective: September 3, 2002 Revised: March 9, 2022 SWAT Team SOP No. 46.10 Page 3 of 14 5. Unless the SWAT Team commander relinquishes his/her control to another person outside the SWAT Team, no other person, except the chief of police or his/her designee, who is not in a leadership position within the SWAT Team, will attempt to direct, supervise, or control any element or member of the SWAT Team. D. ACTIVATION PROCESS: 17.04 1. Due to the responsibilities and requirements of the SWAT Team, members are subject to call-out. 2. All team members are required to carry, and have activated, his/her department issued cellular phone. 3. Team members are required to notify the Team commander, through the Team chain-of-command, when he/she is unavailable for call-out. 4. A district/bureau commander or an individual of higher rank may activate the SWAT Team for a critical incident. 5. The SWAT Team is available, with the approval of the chief of police or his/her designee, to any requesting law enforcement agency. a. When a request for the team is received and approved by the chief of police or his/her designee, it shall be immediately forwarded to the SWAT Team Commander. b. Upon approval, the activation will follow standard deployment procedures. 6. The division commander or his/her designee within the Boca Raton Police Services Department may request the assistance of the SWAT Team in planning or conducting appropriate operations. a. The division commander or his/her designee will contact the SWAT team commander or his/her designee with the request. b. The SWAT Team Commander will then follow the above-described procedures for team activation. 7. When the SWAT Team is activated for, but not limited to, hostage situations and barricaded subjects, the SWAT Team commander shall give consideration to activating the Crisis Negotiations Team, the Bomb Squad, the Unmanned Aircraft System Team, and the incident dispatch team as soon as possible. E. SELECTION PROCESS: 17.04 1. The Boca Raton Police Services Department’s SWAT Team will select prospective members using the Transfer Selection Board process for specialty teams as outlined in the Effective: September 3, 2002 Revised: March 9, 2022 SWAT Team SOP No. 46.10 Page 4 of 14 Agreement between the City of Boca Raton and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 35 (CBA). 2. Detailed descriptions of testing and additional selection criteria for the SWAT Team selection process are outlined in Appendix A of this SOP. F. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: 1. Once accepted and assigned to the Boca Raton Police Services Department’s SWAT Team, all operational team members must maintain acceptable standards of performance in physical fitness and firearms proficiency. 2. Physical fitness and weapons systems proficiency qualifications will be conducted annually. 3. If a team member fails to meet the performance standards, they shall receive additional training and have up to 90 days to requalify. The team member may try to requalify a maximum of two times during that period. 4. Failure to meet performance standards within the 90-day period may result in dismissal from the SWAT Team. 5. All team members must receive at least an Exceeds Expectations performance evaluation to remain on the SWAT Team. G. TRAINING: 17.04 1. The Boca Raton Police Services Department’s SWAT Team will conduct training a minimum of 24 hours per month. The SWAT Team will train on appropriate subjects related to the duties and responsibilities of the SWAT Team. Snipers shall receive an additional 12 hours of training per month. 2. All performance-oriented and task specific training will be documented in the SWAT file located on the Department file servers and records will be maintained by the SWAT commander or his/her designee and available to the Training Unit sergeant. 3. The training program will also include regular updates on legal issues facing SWAT operations, such as warrant service, knock, and announce, and hours of service issues. Deadly force policy and legal issues will also be a regular part of firearms training. H. UNIFORMS: 1. The Department will issue SWAT Team members appropriate utility type uniforms. Uniforms will include clearly visible and identifiable placards, patches, badges, or lettering that identifies the wearer of the uniform as a law enforcement officer. The chief of police or his/her designee shall approve all uniforms or equipment. Effective: September 3, 2002 Revised: March 9, 2022 SWAT Team SOP No. 46.10 Page 5 of 14 2. While wearing the training uniform in public, team members will carry, at a minimum, the required equipment for the Class C uniform and they shall adhere to the following guidelines: a. Team members shall wear green utility pants. b. Green training shirts shall be worn, as designated by the SWAT commander. c. For SWAT related classroom training, team members may wear the issued SWAT Class C black polo shirt and black pants. d. SWAT Team members shall wear his/her issued outer vest when instructed by the SWAT Team commander. 3. I. Call-out uniforms will consist of the following items: a. Green utility pants b. Green long sleeve shirt c. Ballistic helmet d. Entry vests e. Eye protection f. Radio g. Gas mask h. QuikClot/tourniquet i. Extra magazines for rifle and pistol EQUIPMENT STANDARDS: 17.04 1. The Department will supply team members with at least the following safety equipment: a. Ballistic helmet b. Protective goggles c. Hearing protection d. Hat e. Knee pads Effective: September 3, 2002 Revised: March 9, 2022 SWAT Team SOP No. 46.10 Page 6 of 14 f. Ballistic entry vest g. Holster and belt h. Utility pants and shirts i. Rappelling harness, carabineer, rescue 8, rappel gloves j. Boots k. Radio with SWAT encryption l. Radio headset m. Chemical agent mask n. Department issued pistol with tactical light o. Department issued Patrol Rifle p. Cellular phone q. Night vision goggles (if issued) 2. All Department equipment shall be inventoried and inspected annually for operational readiness. The lists shall be submitted to the accreditation and compliance manager on an annual basis. J. SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: 17.04 1. Recognizing that the SWAT Team perform in a hazardous environment, it shall be the intent of the SWAT Team to utilize the following special equipment, in an attempt to lessen the risk of injury or death to all involved during the performance of SWAT operations: a. Primary entry weapons to include Patrol Rifle and pistols. b. High caliber rifles or similar rifles(s) commonly referred to as countersniper rifles. These weapons allow the team member to place highly accurate rounds where needed to help resolve life-threatening incidents. c. Less lethal weapons or ammunition, which propel a round or device that is not normally lethal in nature. Less lethal weapons and ammunition are designed to offer an alternative to the use of deadly force when appropriate. d. A listing of specific weapons and specifications can be found in Appendix 01.310a Weapons List. A list of approved ammunition and specifications can be found in Appendix 01.310b Ammunitions List. Effective: September 3, 2002 Revised: March 9, 2022 SWAT Team SOP No. 46.10 Page 7 of 14 e. Noise/flash diversionary devices that utilize a bright flash of light followed immediately by a loud noise designed to save lives and reduce the potential for shooting situations by providing a distraction for the entry of SWAT Team members into a hazardous area. f. Breaching tools and ammunition such as rams, pry bars, special frangible shotgun rounds, etc. which are designed to force entry into barricaded or secured areas. g. For information on the use of explosives, see Standard Operating Procedure 46.21 Explosive Breaching. 2. The SWAT commander will ensure that only those team members properly trained and certified in the use of the special equipment will utilize the equipment. K. OPERATION PLANS: 1. The SWAT Team will utilize a written planning process for all operations that are proactive or anticipatory in nature, such as warrant services. 2. The written process will include a format that will document how the operation is to be conducted and will include the following elements: a. Command b. Control c. Communication d. Support required 3. All operational plans and after-action reports will be stored and maintained in the SWAT file on Department servers in accordance with records retention guidelines. L. DOCUMENTATION OF ACTIVATION: 1. The SWAT Team commander will ensure that a report is generated detailing the activation and use of the team for each deployment. 2. This report will be a standard police report which details the operation and pertinent information required for follow-up investigators, prosecutors, etc. M. AFTER-ACTION DEBRIEFING: 1. At the completion of all operations and significant training events, the SWAT Team commander or his/her designee will conduct a debriefing. The purpose of this debriefing will be to create a forum for team members to offer information for the improvement of the team. Effective: September 3, 2002 Revised: March 9, 2022 SWAT Team SOP No. 46.10 Page 8 of 14 N. PERIODIC POLICY REVIEW: 1. The SWAT Team commander or his/her designee will annually review and, when necessary, update this policy. 2. O. Revisions will be approved via the chain of command. MEDICS: 1. JUSTIFICATION: 2.08 a. SWAT medics satisfy the current standard of having an experienced care provider with basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS) capability attached to the SWAT team due to the high potential of injury associated with SWAT activity. b. Because of conditions that might develop during SWAT call outs, significant incident situations or training exercises, there will be times that a standby rescue unit stationed at or nearby the scene will be ineffective. c. The SWAT medic, as part of the SWAT Team, will be in the inner perimeter and in position to render immediate medical assistance to ill or injured individuals when their immediate evacuation is not possible due to hazardous circumstances. d. The SWAT medic will be equipped and prepared to stabilize ill/injured individuals until they are turned over to other rescue personnel and transported to a medical facility. e. House Bill 487 authorizes a “tactical medical professional” (TMP) who has a concealed weapons and firearms license to carry firearms, weapons, and ammunition when he/ she is actively operating in direct support of a tactical law enforcement operation. A TMP may carry a firearm in the same manner as a law enforcement officer and anywhere that a tactical law enforcement operation occurs. This bill defines a TMP as a paramedic, physician, or osteopathic physician who is appointed to provide medical support to a tactical law enforcement unit engaged in high-risk incidents. 2. SELECTION CRITERIA: 9.07 a. The following is the criteria for the selection of the SWAT medics: i. Must be a member of the Boca Raton Fire-Rescue Services and possess a current certification issued by and/or recognized by the State of Florida as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), certified paramedic or an equivalent medical certification or degree, and a current certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 10.14 ii. Effective: September 3, 2002 Revised: March 9, 2022 Must be off probation SWAT Team SOP No. 46.10 Page 9 of 14 iii. Be available for call outs iv. Submit a letter of interest through his/her the chain of command v. Be able to pass the SWAT qualification course vi. Be able to attend SWAT training bi-monthly vii. Pass a background investigation viii. Pass a Psychological Exam ix. Take a basic firearms safety class and receive a Carrying a Concealed Weapons Permit (CCW) x. Attend an in-house handgun training course xi. Attend an in-house hour rifle training course xii. Attend a basic SWAT Certification School xiii. Attend a tactical medic class xiv. Attend in-service training when applicable xv. Must pass FDLE annual qualification course xvi. Must pass SWAT annual re-qualification course b. The SWAT Commander shall review the applicant’s Fire Rescue Services personnel file. 3. AUTHORITY AND LIMITATIONS: 2.08, 10.14 a. SWAT medics shall only take police action during a SWAT operation. b. SWAT medics shall only perform law enforcement duties in areas in which they have received training in conjunction with the SWAT Team. c. When taking police action, SWAT medics shall be wearing his/her Department-issued SWAT uniform identifying themselves as law enforcement officers. d. SWAT medics will be assigned his/her own pistol and patrol rifle. e. SWAT medics pistol and patrol rifle will be stored in the SWAT arsenal. The SWAT medics can only remove the weapons from the SWAT arsenal during SWAT call outs, training, or at the discretion of the SWAT Team Commander. Effective: September 3, 2002 Revised: March 9, 2022 SWAT Team SOP No. 46.10 Page 10 of 14 4. DUTIES OF THE SWAT MEDIC: 2.08 a. The SWAT medic is responsible for carrying out tactical orders given by the team commander, assistant commander, and team leaders and medical orders that are standing medical protocols as specified by the Fire Rescue Services Department. 10.14 b. The SWAT medic will provide emergency medical treatment at the scene of all call outs and training exercises by using a triage method of sorting all patients according to the severity of their injuries or illnesses. c. The SWAT medic will provide input for the SWAT commander and be responsible for developing a basic first aid kit that shall be carried by each team member during call outs and training exercises. The team member shall use the basic first aid kit for immediate and initial treatment until the arrival of the SWAT medic. d. The SWAT medic will develop a medical treatment kit that contains medical equipment designed primarily to treat victims of trauma, e.g., gunshot wounds, stabbings, fractures, and blunt trauma to stabilize in a pre-hospital environment. e. The SWAT medic will carry the medical treatment kit in addition to a full complement of tactical gear and will ensure that the kit is at all training sessions, SWAT functions and call outs. 5. MEDICAL EQUIPMENT: a. The medical equipment available to the SWAT medic shall include, but not be limited to the following: Effective: September 3, 2002 Revised: March 9, 2022 i. Oxygen Super D tank with oxygen regulator and supply mask(s) ii. Suction iii. Hemostatic gauze iv. CAT tourniquet v. Basic airway supplies vi. Cric kit vii. Chest decompression kits viii. IV supplies (including fluids) ix. Pressure infuser(s) x. Bleeding control supplies SWAT Team SOP No. 46.10 Page 11 of 14 xi. C-collar(s) and splints xii. BP cuff and stethoscope xiii. Triage tags xiv. AED b. The medical equipment shall be the responsibility of the SWAT medic and will be stored either in the SWAT arsenal or with the SWAT medic when not in use. Fire Rescue Services is responsible for the inspection and maintenance of this equipment. P. HIGH RISK WARRANT SERVICE: 1. The SWAT Team commander or his/her designee shall review all plans for search warrant service for accuracy, tactics, and officer safety. 2. The SWAT Team commander may appoint the assistant team commander, or a team leader, as the team member in charge of the search warrant, who shall be responsible for the development of the search warrant planning. 3. The SWAT Team commander shall review the operations plan with the division commander. 4. The SWAT Team commander shall designate a team member(s) to scout the location of the search warrant along with the case detective or supervisor, who is familiar with the search warrant location. 5. The scout shall provide tactical information to the mission commander including, but not limited to, front door location, type, and opening (in or out), window and door locations, fences, vehicles, obstructions, lighting, fortifications, lookouts, animals, etc. 6. The scout shall determine the best tactical approach to the search warrant location and shall lead the team directly to the primary entry point for service of the search warrant. 7. The SWAT Team commander or his/her designee will obtain floor plans of the target location, if available, to include in the search warrant plan. 8. The SWAT Team commander or his/her designee will develop a plan based on the size of the location, the number of suspects and occupants, and the potential for resistance and/or violence that shall include the following information: a. Reason for the search warrant b. Description of the location, including the address and door openings c. Description of the suspects and occupants, including criminal history Effective: September 3, 2002 Revised: March 9, 2022 SWAT Team SOP No. 46.10 Page 12 of 14 d. Intelligence regarding weapons, fortifications, booby traps, animals, small children, elderly, flammable or toxic chemicals, and explosives e. Primary and secondary entry points f. SWAT Team approach order g. SWAT Team entry order h. Radio channel designations 9. All SWAT Team members shall carry his/her department issued handgun along with a primary entry weapon designated by the mission commander. 10. The SWAT Team commander will determine if a noise/flash diversionary device will be deployed. 11. The SWAT Team commander or his/her designee will designate two team members as the breach team. 12. A briefing will be conducted prior to the execution of the search warrant. 13. All SWAT Team members, Investigative Services Bureau employees, and other involved Department employees shall attend the briefing. 14. The following topics shall be discussed during the briefing: a. The purpose of the mission b. Position assignments c. Weapon assignments d. Breeching responsibilities e. Deployment of light/sound diversionary devices f. Approach and entry g. Knock and announce h. Unit responsibilities i. Perimeter responsibilities 15. After the mission is completed, a debriefing will be conducted to discuss operational and tactical applications during the search warrant. 16. The SWAT Team commander or his/her designee shall store a copy of the Search Warrant Service Plan electronically in accordance with State public records retention schedules. Effective: September 3, 2002 Revised: March 9, 2022 SWAT Team SOP No. 46.10 Page 13 of 14 III. REFERENCES: A. National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) sample policy for the regulation of law enforcement tactical teams (Policy 1a.DOC). Approved: Michele Miuccio Chief of Police Effective: September 3, 2002 Revised: March 9, 2022 Date: SWAT Team SOP No. 46.10 Page 14 of 14