In progress calls

Dispatch - know before you go

Location

Call type

Suspect description

Prior history

Always assume an incident is ongoing until you confirm it isn’t

Strategic approach considerations

Your ROUTE

Time of day

Arrive quieter

PARK for advantage

OBSERVE before you commit

Final approach is on FOOT

COVER changes outcomes

NOISE tells on you

Your route

Choose routes to avoid alerting the suspect, are efficient, and maintain an element of surprise when needed

Consider: traffic, pedestrians, weather, construction, events/road closures

Time of day

Types of calls may be different

Burglary, alarm calls, robbery

Arrived quieter than expected

Reduce detection before contact

Kill lights and siren early

Stage away from the address

Approach on foot when safe

Park for advantage, not convenience

Never park directly in front of an address

Use natural cover

Angle the vehicle to block escape routes and protect your approach

Kill headlights before arrival

Observed before you commit - Gather intelligence

Identify exits

Occupant positions

Potential threats

Never let urgency override situational awareness

Final approaches on foot

Control speed, sound, and sight lines

Coordinate with assisting units before moving

Establish your angle

Use available cover as you close the distance to the scene

Cover changes outcomes

Reduces exposure

Controls engagement space

Forces suspect to take risks you do not

Priorities on scene

Scene safety

Confirm the crime

Issue a BOLO

Priority # 1: Scene safety

Ensure there is no immediate threat to first responders and victims

You may be required to address on immediate threat with force

Be aware of any secondary suspects, innocence, hazmat, or explosive threats

Look for any fleeing vehicle vehicles or suspects

Priority #2: Confirm the crime

Gather Intel from victims and witnesses on scene

Relay information to other responding units and begin coordinating their arrival

Contact medics or administer first aid if the situation allows

Priority #3: Issue a BOLO

Prioritize suspect vehicles

Give direction of travel

Advise of any weapons used

Unknown suspect location

Contain the perimeter before entry

Assign units to cover all escape routes

Move quietly, use cover, communicate positions

Treat every space as occupied until cleared

Suspect confirmed inside

Established containment before entry

Cover all exits and deny escape routes

Notify dispatch immediately with location, description, and unit positions

Do not rush the door

Coordinate with assisting units

Before making entry, stop and ask:

Is the threat still active?

Are assisting units in position?

Do I have a plan if the situation changes?

What separates a controlled response from a dangerous mistake?

Deliberate action

Suspect Located: Contact Procedures

Announce and command

Identify yourself

Lawful commands

Control the contact zone

Position for crossfire avoidance

Watch the hands

Keep distance

Communicate suspect status to dispatch and assisting units

Threat controlled

Secure the subject

Render aid

Protect the scene

Account for all parties

Communicate status

Maintain situational awareness; additional threats may still be present