Policy Text
DEPARTMENTAL
Rev.
Ref. CALEA Standards 33.6.2;
46.2.1; 46.2.2; 46.2.4
GENERAL
ORDER K-5 25 Feb 00
Index as: Barricaded Suspects Entry Team Hostage Negotiation Team Hostage Situations Sniper Team
Tactical Operations Team
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TACTICAL OPERATIONS TEAM
The purpose of this order is to set forth Departmental policy regarding the Tactical Operations Team, consisting of Tactical Commanders, the Entry Team, Sniper Team
and Hostage Negotiation Team, and to es tablish policy for deployment during high
risk operations. I. POLICY
A. Recognizing that the use of specially trained and equipped police tactical operations teams during cr itical incidents has been shown to
substantially reduce the risk of injury or loss of life to citizens, law enforcement personnel and suspects; and recognizing that a well managed team response usually results in the successful resolution of
such incidents, the Department will utilize the Tactical Operations Team
as a resource for the handling of appropriate critical incidents as
described in this order.
B. To ensure that team members have the opportunity to practice their special skills and develop their abilities to function effectively, all personnel assigned to the Tactical Operations Team shall engage in training and readiness exercises on a regular basis.
C. Members of the Tactical Operations Team are specially trained and equipped, but they are most effectiv e when deployed in team elements
with proper support and command structure. Therefore, while it is appropriate for Incident Commanders to utilize individual Tactical Operations Team members for containment and/or response to exigent circumstances pending the arrival of the Tactical Operations Team, they
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT K-5 Rev.
25 Feb 00
shall not build ad hoc teams to handle critical incidents or use Team
specialized firearms or equipment in lieu of calling out the Tactical Operations Team.
D. Upon the arrival of the Tactical Co mmander and team leaders, Tactical
Operations Team members shall report to, and receive orders only from, the Tactical Operations Team chain of command, which is; team
member, Team Leader, Tactical Commander, Incident Commander.
II. ORGANIZATION
A. During Normal Operations (When Not Deployed)
The Tactical Operations Team is under the operational control of the Special Operations Section (SOS) of the Special Operations Division
(SOD). The Special Operations Section Commander is the coordinator for pre-deployment operations to include: training, equipment, record keeping, operational planning, procedures, personnel staffing, and other functions as necessary to ensure the team’s operational readiness. Tactical Operations Team membership is an auxiliary assignment, but
when the Tactical Operations Team is activated, tactical operations take priority over all other assignments for team members.
B. Upon Deployment
1. When tactical teams are deployed, they shall be under the command and control of a Tactical Commander. The primary Tactical Commander shall be the SOS Commander. Additional Tactical Commanders shall be desi gnated by the Chief of Police
to serve in the absence of the primary Tactical Commander, or to serve as Assistant Tactical Commanders during operations.
2. In all cases, the Tactical Commander shall be subordinate to the overall Incident Commander in terms of when and if tactical options will be initiated, not how they will be performed. The decision to deploy the Tactical Te am on a course of action rests
with the Incident Commander. Once deployed, the Tactical Commander is directly responsible for the methods and tactics
used to accomplish the mission.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT K-5 Rev.
25 Feb 00
III. DEPLOYMENT
A. The following types of incidents may warrant activation of the Tactical
Team: 1. Hostage Situations: the holding of any person(s) against his or
her will by an armed or potentially armed suspect.
2. Barricade Situations: the standoff created by an armed or
potentially armed suspect, who is refusing to comply with police
demands for surrender, in any location, whether fortified or not.
3. Sniper Situations: the firing upon citizens and/or police by an
armed suspect, whether stationary or mobile.
4. High-Risk Warrant Service: the service of search or arrest
warrants where the risk analysis recommends or requires the use
of a tactical team.
5. Suicidal Persons: the threatened suicide of a person who has
placed himself and/or others in immediate risk of death or serious injury if specialized crisis negotiation techniques or tactics are not employed.
6. As Directed: any circumstances as directed by the Chief of
Police or a Deputy Chief of Police.
B. Activation of the Tactical Operations Team in the City of Oakland
1. The Tactical Operations Team may be activated at the discretion of the Patrol Division Watch Commander, or an Area
Commander who is on the scene and assumes Incident
Command.
2. The Watch Commander/Incident Commander activates the Team for critical incidents by notifying a Communications Division supervisor, who initiates the call-out procedure. Unit
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT K-5 Rev.
25 Feb 00
Commanders may request activation of the Team for planned operations, such as high-risk warrant service, by notifying the SOS Commander, or if he/she is unavailable, an Assistant Tactical Commander.
3. The Tactical Operations Team, when deployed on a planned operation will normally be task organized, consisting of only
those elements and members required to perform the specific
operation. Deployment of the Tactical Team for planned operations requires the approval of a Deputy Chief of Police.
4. A Risk Assessment