NCJ Number
206939
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 31 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2004 Pages: 70,72-74,76,77
Date Published
August 2004
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the importance and means of training patrol officers not only in individual proficiencies but also team tactics, so as to better prepare them for effective first responses to crises such as hostagetaking and armed takeovers of buildings.
Abstract
Traditionally, patrol officers as first responders have been trained to contain dangerous barricade situations until the highly trained SWAT team arrives to take over. This article advises that patrol officers as first responders should receive tactical team training that will enable them to act as a team to deal with incidents that require some type of immediate proactive response. The first step in establishing such training is to assess the department's current training objectives and content for patrol officers. The author provides a checklist for this training assessment. After establishing the need and objectives for team tactical training, the training should be conducted with each squad of patrol officers. The development of the lesson plan should be done with SWAT supervisors, patrol supervisors, and the training staff, with the focus of the planning on the use of the patrol squad as a team; however, the linking of individual skill-training to team tactics and performance is essential. Topics covered in team training should include incident command/initial response, team movement, building clearing/entry and breaching techniques, high-risk stops, active shooter, and program assessment. Scenarios that require team responses by patrol squads should also be defined.