412_-_Critical_Incident_Response

Policy 412Mountain View Police Department Mountain View PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Mountain View Police DepartmentCritical Incident Response - 1Critical Incident Response 412.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE Critical incidents typically require a tactical response to unplanned events, such as hostage situations, barricaded subjects, and active shooter incidents. This policy is intended to enhance this agency's readiness capability for critical incidents in order to protect life and safeguard property. When possible, avoid confrontation in favor of containing and isolating the incident until adequate and appropriate resources are available. 412.2 FIRST RESPONDER RESPONSIBILITIES The primary responsibility is to eliminate any immediate threat. This may require bypassing injured victims in order to address an active threat. The supervisor and responding officers must be alert for crossfire situations. Officers presented with a threat shall respond in accordance with the Use of Force policy. Consider the deployment of less-lethal weapon alternatives. Additional responsibilities include establishing on-scene command, formulating and broadcasting incident information (situation assessments), requesting necessary resources, and providing a Staging Area for responding personnel and equipment. The first officer at the scene of an emergency should broadcast a basic situation assessment that is updated as events change. The initial situation assessment should include: •Type of emergency •Location of emergency •Size of area involved •Number of additional officers required •Incident Command Post location •Staging Area location •Access routes for emergency vehicles •Assistance requested (fire, SWAT, mutual aid) •Number and type of casualties/injuries The first responder (or field supervisor) should utilize the Incident Command System in order to assume command responsibility, appoint others to control activities, assign missions, gather intelligence, and delegate other tasks as necessary until relieved by an officer of higher rank. 412.2.1 FIRST RESPONDER GUIDELINES These guidelines assists the first responder and field supervisors in establishing command, control, and initial operations for a critical incident. The guidelines are flexible and can be modified to deal with specific field situations. Mountain View Police Department Mountain View PD Policy Manual Critical Incident Response Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Mountain View Police DepartmentCritical Incident Response - 2(a)Establish a Command Post that is strategically and safely located (b)Maintain centralized communications (c)Logistically monitor and regulate personnel and equipment (d)Acquire, analyze and properly distribute intelligence and other relevant information (e)Coordinate activities, such as: 1.Initial Containment (a)Establish an inner perimeter to contain the incident location. Be aware of cover and concealment. Consider staffing an arrest team. (b)Establish an outer perimeter to control unauthorized access to the scene, to prevent harm to bystanders, and to protect the inner perimeter. 2.Evacuation: If appropriate, evacuate bystanders and injured persons. Involved parties should be sequestered in a location where they can be debriefed. Be aware of suspects attempting to escape by taking part in the evacuation. Document evacuations and refusals. 3.Staging Area: Request additional resources stage near the inner perimeter. This may include Fire/EMS personnel. Also consider the potential for additional equipment, such as surveillance equipment, less lethal options, shields, and helmets. 4.Traffic Control Plan: Detour traffic to keep pedestrians and vehicles from entering the outer perimeter containment. Consider provisions for media staging and public information. 5.Mobile Incidents: All reasonable attempts should be made to prevent a critical incident from becoming mobile. In the event an incident is mobile, deploy personnel to pursue the vehicle in accordance with Policy Manual § 314 Pursuit Policy. Consider maintaining surveillance, controlling travel routes and notifying other jurisdictions. 6.Negotiations: Whenever possible, Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) members should coordinate negotiations. Avoid confrontation in favor of controlling and containing the situation until the arrival of SWAT and CNT personnel.