Rapid Response to Active Rapid Response to Active ShootersShooters

Rapid ResponseRapid ResponseLearning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Discuss History of Mass KillingsDiscuss History of Mass Killings Mental and Physical Conditioning of OfficersMental and Physical Conditioning of Officers Sequence of Events at an Active ShooterSequence of Events at an Active Shooter Response to Active Shooter vs. Hostage/BarricadeResponse to Active Shooter vs. Hostage/Barricade Dangers faced by First RespondersDangers faced by First Responders Initial Actions of First RespondersInitial Actions of First Responders Proactive Measures to face a lethal threatProactive Measures to face a lethal threat Contact Team responsibilities/tacticsContact Team responsibilities/tactics Rescue Team responsibilities/tacticsRescue Team responsibilities/tactics Deliberate Searching TechniquesDeliberate Searching Techniques Dynamic Room Entry TechniquesDynamic Room Entry Techniques Low Light TechniquesLow Light Techniques

Course GoalCourse Goal The purpose of this course of instruction is The purpose of this course of instruction is

to aid police officers, specifically the true to aid police officers, specifically the true first responderfirst responder, in their ability to safely & , in their ability to safely & effectively respond to and active shooting effectively respond to and active shooting situationsituation

To improve our initial actions, therefore To improve our initial actions, therefore increasing the level of effectiveness of the increasing the level of effectiveness of the overall operationoverall operation

TO SAVE AS MANY LIVES AS TO SAVE AS MANY LIVES AS POSSIBLE!!POSSIBLE!!

Motivating StatementMotivating Statement

As police officers, we will respond to many crises As police officers, we will respond to many crises situations throughout our careers. None will be situations throughout our careers. None will be more physically or mentally challenging than more physically or mentally challenging than responding to a “homicide in progress” where life responding to a “homicide in progress” where life hangs in the balance. Our hangs in the balance. Our immediate actionsimmediate actions will dictate who lives and who dies. will dictate who lives and who dies.

We have seen many incidents throughout America We have seen many incidents throughout America that the immediate actions taken by the first that the immediate actions taken by the first responder, or lack thereof, made a difference. responder, or lack thereof, made a difference. These reactionary skills are not inherited. They These reactionary skills are not inherited. They must be learned and practiced to ensure a correct must be learned and practiced to ensure a correct response.response.

Active Shooter-Active Shooter-DefinedDefined

One or more subjects who participate in a One or more subjects who participate in a random or systematic shooting spree, random or systematic shooting spree, demonstrating their intent to continuously demonstrating their intent to continuously harm others. Their overriding object harm others. Their overriding object appears to be that of mass murder, rather appears to be that of mass murder, rather than other criminal conduct, such as than other criminal conduct, such as robbery, hostage taking, etc.robbery, hostage taking, etc.

Includes assault with any deadly weaponIncludes assault with any deadly weapon

Historical EventsHistorical Events

Use of Force Policy ConsiderationsUse of Force Policy Considerations

AnyAny use of force must be consistent use of force must be consistent with State Law (Chapter 9, Texas with State Law (Chapter 9, Texas Penal Code) and Departmental PolicyPenal Code) and Departmental Policy

Officers must be intimately familiar Officers must be intimately familiar with their agency’s use of force with their agency’s use of force policy, State Law, and applicable policy, State Law, and applicable case lawcase law

This is critically important when This is critically important when addressing an Active Shooter addressing an Active Shooter situationsituation

ACTIVE SHOOTERACTIVE SHOOTER Vs.Vs.

BARRICADED BARRICADED SUSPECT/HOSTAGE SUSPECT/HOSTAGE

SITUATIONSITUATION

Active Shooter Vs. Barricade/HostageActive Shooter Vs. Barricade/Hostage

• It is critical to know the It is critical to know the differencedifference in these two types of deployments in these two types of deployments and to respond appropriately.and to respond appropriately.

• LIVES ARE DEPENDING ON LIVES ARE DEPENDING ON IT!IT!

CharacteristicsCharacteristics of a of a Hostage/Barricade SituationHostage/Barricade Situation

Patrol officers are 1st on the scenePatrol officers are 1st on the scene Emotionally chargedEmotionally charged Very volatileVery volatile Somewhat stableSomewhat stable No victims are No victims are CURRENTLYCURRENTLY being being

killed or attackedkilled or attacked

Patrol Patrol ResponseResponse to a to a Barricade/Hostage SituationBarricade/Hostage Situation

• Patrol response: 4 “C’s”-Patrol response: 4 “C’s”-CContain, ontain, CControl, ontrol, CCommunicate, ommunicate, CCall SWATall SWAT• Set inner/outer perimeterSet inner/outer perimeter• Gather intelligenceGather intelligence• Prepare for smooth transition to Prepare for smooth transition to

traditional tactical operation traditional tactical operation • Establish Patrol REACT TeamEstablish Patrol REACT Team

Characteristics of an Characteristics of an Active Active ShooterShooter

Patrol officers are 1st on the scenePatrol officers are 1st on the scene Emotionally chargedEmotionally charged Very volatileVery volatile Extremely unstableExtremely unstable Victims are Victims are CURRENTLYCURRENTLY being killed being killed

or attacked!or attacked!

Patrol Response to an Patrol Response to an Active ShooterActive Shooter

• SEARCHSEARCH• FINDFIND• CONFRONTCONFRONT• STOP THE KILLING!STOP THE KILLING!

Rapid Response PlanRapid Response Plan Rapid Response Rapid Response trainingtraining and and planningplanning offers offers

several advantages:several advantages:• By overwhelming the suspect with By overwhelming the suspect with

intimidating aggression using intimidating aggression using proper proper tacticstactics, we can:, we can:

IsolateIsolate the suspect from additional victims, and the suspect from additional victims, and DistractDistract suspect’s attention away from targets suspect’s attention away from targets NeutralizeNeutralize the threat. the threat.

You may You may notnot save everyone, but the save everyone, but the goal is to…..goal is to…..save save asas many lives as many lives as possible!possible!

Command and Control:Command and Control: 1st Officer on Scene is 1st Officer on Scene is

Incident CommanderIncident Commander• Take Command and Take Command and

ControlControl• The uniform will draw a The uniform will draw a

reactionreaction Expect everyone to key Expect everyone to key

on on youryour actions actions TAKE COMMAND AND DO TAKE COMMAND AND DO

SOMETHING!SOMETHING!

• Someone should stay Someone should stay outside and direct other outside and direct other responding officersresponding officers

Gather Intelligence:Gather Intelligence:

Question witnesses/victims when Question witnesses/victims when time/situation allowstime/situation allows• Who, What, When, Where, HowWho, What, When, Where, How

If accurate information is obtained, If accurate information is obtained, ACT ON IT!ACT ON IT!

Evaluate collateral damageEvaluate collateral damage• (size of bullet holes, explosive damage)(size of bullet holes, explosive damage)

Evaluate the sounds of weaponsEvaluate the sounds of weapons

Locate the ThreatLocate the Threat LOOK!-LOOK!-Observe signs of destruction Observe signs of destruction

that may yield informationthat may yield information LISTEN!-LISTEN!-Sounds of gunfire, screamingSounds of gunfire, screaming MOVE!-MOVE!-You are an You are an easyeasy target while target while

standing still (and you can’t stop the standing still (and you can’t stop the killing if you don’t ACT!)killing if you don’t ACT!)

COMMUNICATE!-COMMUNICATE!-Tell other Tell other responders what you know and what responders what you know and what you seeyou see

Communications ProblemsCommunications Problems

Compatibility with Compatibility with other responding other responding agenciesagencies

Signal interference Signal interference and overloadand overload

Personnel without Personnel without radiosradios

Noise!Noise!

Evaluate the Need to Close DistanceEvaluate the Need to Close Distance Can you Can you eliminateeliminate the threat? the threat? Can you Can you restrictrestrict and and isolateisolate the the

suspect’s movements?suspect’s movements? Can you take resources away from the Can you take resources away from the

suspect (weapons, escape routes)?suspect (weapons, escape routes)? IF ANSWER IS IF ANSWER IS YESYES TO ANY OR ALL OF TO ANY OR ALL OF

THESE, THEN YOU THESE, THEN YOU MUSTMUST CLOSE CLOSE DISTANCE AND ENGAGE THE DISTANCE AND ENGAGE THE SUSPECT!SUSPECT!

CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLESCONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES

Stay together as much as possibleStay together as much as possible 540 degrees of coverage around 540 degrees of coverage around

teamteam Communication with team/I.C.Communication with team/I.C. Work the AnglesWork the Angles Threshold EvaluationThreshold Evaluation Move only as fast as you can shoot Move only as fast as you can shoot

accuratelyaccurately and think and think

Officer SafetyOfficer Safety

Don’t leave safety/cover if there is no Don’t leave safety/cover if there is no reason to do so (reason to do so (Threshold EvaluationThreshold Evaluation))• Call suspect to youCall suspect to you• Take shot from hallway Take shot from hallway insteadinstead of entering of entering

danger area/roomdanger area/room• Points of COVERPoints of COVER

Action Action isis faster than reaction faster than reaction• Be prepared for deadly encounterBe prepared for deadly encounter• Remember “Totality of Circumstances”Remember “Totality of Circumstances”• Use Quick Scanning TechniqueUse Quick Scanning Technique

Use of Deadly ForceUse of Deadly ForceEngaging a KNOWN Armed ThreatEngaging a KNOWN Armed Threat

Has the suspect already harmed, or Has the suspect already harmed, or is threatening to harm, someone with is threatening to harm, someone with the use of deadly force?the use of deadly force?

Does the suspect have the means Does the suspect have the means (weapon) to carry out or continue (weapon) to carry out or continue carrying out the threat?carrying out the threat?

Are there still persons or peace Are there still persons or peace officers the suspect can carry out the officers the suspect can carry out the threats upon?threats upon?

Searching for Suspect(s)-Searching for Suspect(s)-Unknown Threat AreaUnknown Threat Area

Systematic Clearing of BuildingSystematic Clearing of Building Time and Manpower IntensiveTime and Manpower Intensive Patrol best used to supplement SWATPatrol best used to supplement SWAT Search every room (open and closed Search every room (open and closed

doors)doors)• Minimum of 2 officers per room (small Minimum of 2 officers per room (small

room exception, i.e. bathroom, closet, room exception, i.e. bathroom, closet, etc.)etc.)

Searching for Suspect(s)-Searching for Suspect(s)-Known Threat AreaKnown Threat Area

Move Move quicklyquickly to the sounds of gunfire, to the sounds of gunfire, yelling or commotionyelling or commotion

Maintain 540° coverage while moving Maintain 540° coverage while moving to threat areato threat area

Quickly, but tactically, clear corners Quickly, but tactically, clear corners and intersecting hallways (Don’t bog and intersecting hallways (Don’t bog down)down)

Communicate with witnesses for Communicate with witnesses for updated informationupdated information

Engaging Suspect(s)Engaging Suspect(s) Verbal CommandsVerbal Commands Maintain Cover!Maintain Cover! Dominate with:Dominate with:

• SpeedSpeed• SurpriseSurprise• Violence of ActionViolence of Action

Quick Scan Quick Scan Don’t forget other force Don’t forget other force

optionsoptions• Impact weaponsImpact weapons• TaserTaser• OCOC

Contact Team PrincipalsContact Team Principals Team of first officers on Team of first officers on

scene (ideal 4/5)scene (ideal 4/5) Goal:Goal:

• SearchSearch• FindFind• Eliminate or Contain Eliminate or Contain

Threat!Threat! Must bypass woundedMust bypass wounded Direct victims to safetyDirect victims to safety Direct Rescue Team Direct Rescue Team

towards victimstowards victims

Multiple Contact TeamsMultiple Contact Teams

Communications Communications with IC is with IC is CRITICAL!CRITICAL!

Beware of other Beware of other Contact TeamsContact Teams

Work/Search by:Work/Search by:• FloorsFloors• WingsWings• BuildingsBuildings

Rescue TeamsRescue Teams Secondary RespondersSecondary Responders Minimum 4 OfficersMinimum 4 Officers Follow Follow behindbehind Contact Team Contact Team

• Work at direction of/in coordination with Work at direction of/in coordination with Contact TeamContact Team

Use Contact Team tactics, however Use Contact Team tactics, however responsible for evacuating injured/non-responsible for evacuating injured/non-injuredinjured

Be prepared to Be prepared to IMMEDIATELYIMMEDIATELY become become Contact Team!Contact Team!

The The FutureFuture??

Al Qaeda Training Tape Al Qaeda Training Tape AssessmentAssessment

Tom Rudd, I Corps and Ft Lewis ATOTom Rudd, I Corps and Ft Lewis ATO

Al Qaeda Training Tape Al Qaeda Training Tape AssessmentAssessment

Weapons ManipulationWeapons Manipulation

Handguns are carried Handguns are carried in the “High Ready”in the “High Ready”

Long Guns (AK Long Guns (AK Variants) Carried and Variants) Carried and fired rotated 90 fired rotated 90 degrees (ejection port degrees (ejection port up)up)

Specific ScenariosSpecific Scenarios

Targeting of law enforcement officers Targeting of law enforcement officers in ambush/assassinations.in ambush/assassinations.

Residential Assassination.Residential Assassination. Assassination on golf course.Assassination on golf course. 2 and 4 man live-fire room entry with 2 and 4 man live-fire room entry with

target discrimination (shoot/ no target discrimination (shoot/ no shoot).shoot).

Raid on compound with Kidnapping.Raid on compound with Kidnapping. Drive up kidnapping. Drive up kidnapping.

Specific ScenariosSpecific Scenarios

Use of tunnels/storm drains/ sewer Use of tunnels/storm drains/ sewer systems for infiltration and exfiltration systems for infiltration and exfiltration during raids.during raids.

Rappelling from roof of building to make Rappelling from roof of building to make entry on upper floors was shown on more entry on upper floors was shown on more than one occasion.than one occasion.

Motorcycle drive-by target practice.Motorcycle drive-by target practice. Numerous assaults on large structures Numerous assaults on large structures

with large number of occupants. (School or with large number of occupants. (School or Office Buildings).Office Buildings).

ConclusionsConclusions

If you find yourself in the middle of one of If you find yourself in the middle of one of these attacks, there will not be time for the these attacks, there will not be time for the SWAT team to intervene on your behalf. SWAT team to intervene on your behalf. Compliance will buy you only very little Compliance will buy you only very little time*.time*.

If, by feigned compliance, you make it If, by feigned compliance, you make it through the first cut you will be restrained, through the first cut you will be restrained, searched, and controlled with threats to the searched, and controlled with threats to the rest of your group or other groups. “We will rest of your group or other groups. “We will blow up the women and children in the next blow up the women and children in the next room if you do not do what we say.” room if you do not do what we say.”

RecommendationsRecommendations

The best time to act is most likely to The best time to act is most likely to be at the initiation of the attack.be at the initiation of the attack.

You must plan on providing effective You must plan on providing effective resistance at the first opportunity.resistance at the first opportunity.

Attempt to acquire a better weapons Attempt to acquire a better weapons system at the first opportunity!system at the first opportunity!

Detect the terrorist conducting pre-Detect the terrorist conducting pre-mission activities. mission activities.

““The Perfect Day”The Perfect Day”

Combination of attacks designed to Combination of attacks designed to produce the maximum number of produce the maximum number of casualties (WMD) with attacks that casualties (WMD) with attacks that would give them the opportunity to would give them the opportunity to get “face time” on the news channels get “face time” on the news channels to deliver their rhetoric.to deliver their rhetoric.

SUMMARY:SUMMARY:

We have addressed but a few of the considerations when responding to active shooting scenarios. These types of scenes are extremely dynamic and the appropriate response will change drastically from scene to scene.

Officers must continue to train on those fundamental skills that will adapt to any type of scenario. These skills will provide the individual officer with a tactical advantage. This “tactical advantage” may make the difference.

One point is clear: a swift and effective response by law a swift and effective response by law enforcement many times will serve to minimize the damage and save enforcement many times will serve to minimize the damage and save the lives of potential victims.the lives of potential victims.

Question and AnswerQuestion and Answer