Policy Text
West County SWAT
Policy Manual
Updated: January 17, 2019
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WEST COUNTY S WAT
Policy Manual
Table of Contents
PAGE
1. Introduction ............................... ................................ ................................ .............. 3
2. Mission Statemen t............................................................... ................................ .... 3
3. Call-Out Response Procedures/Request to Utilize SWAT………………………….. 4
4. Use of Force……………………………………………………………………………… 5
5. Administrative Investigations and Responsibilities…………………………………... 6
6. Tactical Dispatch …………………………………………….…………………………... 8
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1. Intro duction
West County SWAT is the result of a regionalized effort combining the resources of the
participating agencies’ Special Weapon s and Tactics Teams. West Co unty SWAT
provides the participating agencies with improved police services to high-risk, critical
incidents.
West County SWAT enhan ces critical response by combining tactical operators
(SWAT), Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), Crisis Ne gotiation Teams
(CNT) and Tactical Dispatch Teams (TDT).
The West County SWAT Team is trained to respond to critical incidents, high- risk
warrant service and dignitary s uppo rt/protection that require specialized traini ng
and equipment. West Co unty SWAT utilizes tactics t hat may res olve hazardous
operations with an empha sis on safety to citizens, officers and suspects.
Officers assigned to West County SWAT are re quired to meet rigorous standa rds in t he
areas of physical fitness, mental discipline and weapon s use. Membe rs must be able
to successfully carry out a tactical operation plan unde r highly stress ful and adverse
conditions.
West County SWAT personnel operate in accordance with their own agency’s policies
and procedures and in accordance with guidelines and manda tes offered through state
and federal laws. This includes use of force issues pertaini ng to less than lethal
and firearms applications.
West County SWAT operates unde r a joint Memorandum of Understanding and is
governed by the Chiefs of Police representing the involved law enforcement agencies.
The participating law enforcement agencies in West County SWAT are:
Cypress Police Department
Fountain Valley Police Department
Los Alamitos Police Department
Seal Beach Police Department
Westminster Police Department
2. Mission Statem ent
The primary goal of the West County SWAT Team is risk reduction while protecting life
and property. West County SWAT shall safely execute high-risk missions and resolve
hazardous tactical field operations in a manne r that minimizes the likelihood of injury or
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death to citizens, officers and suspects. This will be accomplished through extensive
and continuou s traini ng of personnel, through the application of established policies
and through the implementation of sound tactics and operational procedures.
3. Call-Out R esponse Procedures
In order to facilitate a timely response, the following procedures will be utilized when a
West County SWAT call-out has been initiated:
A. Immediate Action Operation by West County SWAT
Criteria for Immediate Action Operation by West County S WAT:
Immediate action operations are spontaneous criminal events that may require the
SWAT Team’s specialized training and resources to resolve the incident in a manner that
reduces risk to persons and property. Four elements should exist before immediate
action operation activation of West County SWAT:
1. The suspect(s) are armed, or there is a reason to believe they are.
2. The suspect(s) are believed to have been involved in a criminal act or pose a
significant thr eat to the lives and safety of the public and/or police.
3. The suspect(s) are in a position of advantage, affording cover and concealment or
are contained in an open area and the presence or approach of police officers
could precipitate an adverse reaction by the suspect.
4. The suspect(s) refuse to surrender.
Procedures to Requ est an Immediate Action Operation by West County SWAT:
The Incident Commande r (or his/her designee) of the requesting agency should contact
the West County SWAT Commande r to request activation of the West County SWAT
Team. If the Incident Commande r is not available, Dispatch or any SWAT membe r on
scene will contact the West County SWAT Co mmande r to make the request .
An outside agency, not affiliated with West County SWAT, may request services of the
Team by contacting either the West County SWAT Commande r or any of the Police
Chiefs of the involved West County agencies. In either instance, the West Co unty
SWAT Commande r will approve or deny activation of the Team unde r this condition.
The SWAT Commande r (or his/her designee) will implement the Team call-out through
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the efforts of West Cities Communications. Upon confirmation of receiving the call-out,
Team membe rs will be briefly notified of the type of incident, told where to respond and
the assigned tactical radio frequency.
B. Planned Tactical or Staged Operation by West County SWAT
Criteria for Planned Tactical or Staged Operation by West County S WAT:
A planned tactical deployment of West County SWAT is a pre-planned event in which a
dedicated unit with specialized training and resources may be required to reduce risk and
enhance the protection of life and property. These events include, but are not limited to:
high risk search or arrest warrant service or dignitary protecti on. Staged operations are
unfolding events such as civil unrest, riots, demonstrations, or other significant events of