NCJ Number
140870
Journal
Texas Police Journal Volume: 40 Issue: 12 Dated: (January 1993) Pages: 8-10
Date Published
1993
Length
3 pages
Annotation
While many small to medium-sized law enforcement agencies have created tactical and negotiation teams, in many cases, the situation commander is a senior supervisor who may not have been on the tactical or negotiation team in the past. In these cases, situations are often managed in ways which do not follow accepted tactical procedures.
Abstract
Training for situation commanders is available in many jurisdictions, from law enforcement agencies, academies, and consulting firms. The primary functions of such training are to give commanders an idea of what tactical and negotiation teams do, what support they need to do the job, and how to set up and manage a command post. A secondary purpose is often to sensitize the commander to various issues regarding the employment of tactical teams and negotiation units. Small departments can conduct in-house training by building a program and curriculum from the ground up or by hiring an outside agency. The training program should cover general topics including perimeter establishment, command post organization and management, and general crisis management, but should also focus on the agency's unique needs. The most important asset for a situation commander is a clear policy or standard operating procedure manual that defines the chain of command and lays out the agency's tactical principles, mission, and philosophy. Finally, situation commanders should be required to participate in regular training exercises at least once a year.