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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: January 28, 2022  Amends GO 06.2.08 ( March 10, 2017 ) Number: 6.2.8 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: January Reviewing Authority: OSB / HRIC Subject: High Risk Incidents This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide for an appropriate agency response when high risk incidents occur within Orange County through the use of specia lly trained employees. 2. Policy The agency has established specialty units to provide appropriate responses to high risk incidents. High risk incidents will be coordinated by a command staff member who has the authority and responsibility to direct the incident. 3. Definitions A. Command Post - designated location for command persons during an incident. B. Critical Incident Management Guide ( CIMG ) – an agency guide to manage emergency situatio ns. C. Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) – an agency unit designated to facilitate critical incident command post and emergency operation center functions. It is to also confirm that the concepts and tasks of the Incident Command System, as outlined in agency policy and the ICS Administrator’s Manual, are followed and to assist the Incident Commander as needed to resolve the incident. D. Emergency Response Team (ERT) - an agency unit designated to handle crowd control operations. E. Hazardous Devices Team (HDT) - an agency unit designated to handle situations involving the use of explosive devices. F. High Risk Incident Commander (HRIC) - command staff member designated by the Sheriff who is responsible for on scene control of high risk incidents. G. High Risk Incidents - incidents that require a response over and above the normal patrol response (e.g., hostage situations, armed/barricaded situations, terrorist situations, on -going situations involving armed perpetrators, civil disorder, natural disasters). H. Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) - an agency unit designated to handle situations requiring the use of persons trained in the negotiations process. I. Inner Perimeter - smallest possible area within which suspect/s are isolated during a high risk incident. Thi s perimeter is usually the responsibility of SWAT. J. Outer Perimeter - outside area of a high risk incident which is a patrol responsibility. K. Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) - an agency unit designated to handle special situations requiring special ized weapons or extraordinary tactical operations. L. Tactical Operations Center (TOC) - a special unit command post which may be in addition to the Incident Command Post. M. Uniform Patrol Division (UPD) - an agency division that includes patrol. 4. Procedur es A. High Risk Incident Commander (HRIC) 1. Appointment a. The HRIC is designated by the Sheriff. b. The Sheriff shall appoint alternate HRIC's to be in charge in the event of the absence of the HRIC. 2. The HRIC shall: a. Command, control, and confirm r esponse planning for all high risk incidents. The HRIC shall be responsible for coordinating the plan with all affected agencies. b. Command the SWAT Team, HNT, ERT, HRIC Intelligence Team, and CIMT Commanders while on the scene of high risk incidents. c. Coordinate with the Sector Commander or Watch Commander of the Sector in which the incident occurs. d. Confirm a command post has been established. e. Notify the Sheriff and/or Undersheriff of the status of the incident. f. Confirm supporting resources ha ve been notified. g. Maintain command of, and responsibility for high risk incidents until: 1. The incident is resolved. 2. Is relieved from the scene by his/her relief. 3. Is relieved from the scene by his/her superior. h. Liaison with emergency managemen t authorities. i. Liaison with other law enforcement agencies. j. Annually review all agency special operations plans and update as necessary. 3. Authority a. The HRIC is authorized by the Sheriff to utilize whatever legal actions or agency resources are necessary to resolve incident(s). b. The HRIC is authorized by the Sheriff to deploy chemical weapons as necessary. c. The HRIC may elect not to respond to the following situations: 1. SWAT service of search warrants. 2. On-going surveillance situations. 3. Situations involving the use of the HNT but not SWAT. 4 If the HRIC is not present, the senior ranking deputy on the scene is in charge of the incident. d. The HRIC is authorized by the Sheriff to respond in an emergency mode to high risk incidents as ne cessary. The HRIC may direct units responding to an incident to respond in an emergency mode. B. Specialty Teams Responsibilities 1. Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) a. SWAT will assist agency personnel and outside agencies during high risk inciden ts. b. SWAT response situations include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Barricaded Subjects 2. Sniper Incidents 3. Hostage Situations 4. Special Security Situations 5. Search and Arrest Warrants 6. Hijack Situations (e.g., aircraft, etc.) 7. Other situations of a high risk nature in which specialized response would be beneficial. c. The SWAT Commander shall be appointed by the Sheriff. 2. Emergency Response Team (ERT)