Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
411 Delano PD Policy Manual
Rapid Response and Deployment
411.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Violence that is committed in schools, workplaces and other locations by individuals or a group of
individuals who are determined to target and kill persons and to create mass casualties presents
a difficult situation for law enforcement. The purpose of this policy is to identify guidelines and
factors that will assist responding officers in situations that call for rapid response and deployment.
411.2 POLICY
The Delano Police Department will endeavor to plan for rapid response to crisis situations, and
to coordinate response planning with other emergency services as well as with those that are
responsible for operating sites that may be the target of a critical incident.
Nothing in this policy shall preclude the use of reasonable force, deadly or otherwise, by members
of the Department in protecting themselves or others from death or serious injury.
411.3 FIRST RESPONSE
If there is a reasonable belief that acts or threats by a suspect are placing lives in imminent danger,
first responding officers should consider reasonable options to reduce, prevent or eliminate the
threat. Officers must decide, often under a multitude of difficult and rapidly evolving circumstances,
whether to advance on the suspect, take other actions to deal with the threat or wait for additional
resources.
If a suspect is actively engaged in the infliction of serious bodily harm or other life-threatening
activity toward others, officers should take immediate action, if reasonably possible, while
requesting additional assistance.
Officers should remain aware of the possibility that an incident may be part of a coordinated multi-
location attack that may require some capacity to respond to other incidents at other locations.
When deciding on a course of action officers should consider:
(a) Whether to advance on or engage a suspect who is still a possible or perceived threat
to others. Any advance or engagement should be based on information known or
received at the time.
(b) Whether to wait for additional resources or personnel. This does not preclude an
individual officer from taking immediate action.
(c) Whether individuals who are under imminent threat can be moved or evacuated with
reasonable safety.
(d) Whether the suspect can be contained or denied access to victims.
(e) Whether the officers have the ability to effectively communicate with other personnel
or resources.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. Rapid Response and Deployment - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department