Sec. 12.04.08.03. Special Tactical Response Team

A. To increase the likelihood of safely resolving critical situations that may exceed the capabilities of traditional law enforcement officers and investigative units, a law enforcement agency seeking to establish a special tactical response team that may be activated and deployed shall:

(1) Develop written policies and procedures for special tactical responses that:

(a) Are designed to meet the law enforcement agency’s operational needs;

(b) Are consistent with the requirements set forth in this regulation; and

(c) Address, at minimum the following policy topics:

(i) Types of missions requiring special tactical response;

(ii) Team organization and function;

(iii) Personnel selection and retention criteria;

(iv) Training requirements;

(v) Competencies;

(vi) Procedures for activation and deployment;

(vii) If applicable, multi-agency cooperation and response;

(viii) If applicable, criteria for response to other jurisdictions; and

(ix) Specialized tactical functions, as applicable;

(2) Ensure team members successfully complete the individual and team training requirements established in Regulation .04A of this chapter prior to initial deployment; and

(3) Ensure special tactical response teams:

(a) Conduct an assessment of the tactical needs presented by the circumstances present in each unique situation; and

(b) Adhere to the training and deployment requirements as set forth in this chapter and according to agency policy and procedures.

B. A special tactical response team shall be composed of police officers with the advanced tactical training and expertise who are able to engage responsibly in the operational functions described in §C of this regulation and shall, at minimum, include:

(1) A tactical commander of supervisory rank who has overall responsibility for team personnel, training, operations, deployment, and after-action documentation;

(2) A team leader who is a team member of senior team status or rank, reports directly to the tactical commander, and develops and executes tactical response training and operations; and

(3) Team members who provide specialized law enforcement capabilities to contain, prevent, or respond to critical and high-risk situations.

C. A special tactical response team’s operational functions include, but are not limited to:

(1) Tactical command and control;

(2) Perimeter control and containment;

(3) Entry and apprehension; and

(4) Hostage rescue.

D. A police officer’s assignment to a special tactical response team may be a full-time position or designated as a collateral-duty.

E. A special tactical response team may include police officers from a single law enforcement agency or police officers from multiple law enforcement agencies.

F. Each regional or multi-agency special tactical response team shall develop the appropriate agreements, protocols, and procedures for interagency cooperation that:

(1) Delineate, establish, and specify a law enforcement chain of command, operational control, duties and responsibilities of supporting units, and joint training requirements; and

(2) Specify which agency is charged with jurisdiction in the event of a criminal investigation involving the actions of a team member, such as an officer-involved shooting.