Policy Text
POLICE
VA
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
CHMOND
Subject: ACTIVE SHOOTINGS, ACTIVE THREATS, HOSTAGE
AND/OR BARRICADED SUBJECT SITUATIONS
References:
CALEA Standards: 46.1.1, 46.1.10a-e, 46.2.1a-e
Chief of Police:
POLICE
TATE
CHMOND
VA
Chapter
Number
13
# Pages
14
Related Orders: 01-05, 02-
06 & 07-12
Effective Date: 07/14/2025
Revised By: Review
Prv. Rev. Date: 07/18/2023
If any provision of this General Order conflicts with any collective bargaining article,
the collective bargaining agreement shall govern.
R.
I.
PURPOSE
II.
III.
IV.
This directive aims to establish the policy and procedure for the Department's response to
situations involving active shootings, active threats, hostage(s), and/or barricaded subject(s)
situations when lives are in imminent danger. It is the responsibility of the Department to
protect lives, property and apprehend law violators.
[CALEA 46.1.10c]
SUMMARY OF CHANGE
This General Order is due for annual review. It pertains to procedures for responding to
situations involving active threats of a serious nature. Please note that all updates have
been clearly marked in bold and italicized text for easy identification.
POLICY
It is the policy of the Department to deploy the SWAT Team and Negotiation Team utilizing
the least stringent means consistent with the incident to any verified active threat, active
shooting, or Hostage/Barricaded suspect incident as defined by this policy. The Richmond
Police Department will properly respond to these situations to minimize casualties and stop
using deadly physical force as quickly as possible.
[CALEA 46.2.1b]
ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines outlined in this
general order. Responsibility rests with the Division Commander to ensure that any violations
of policy are investigated and appropriate training, counseling and/or disciplinary action is
initiated.
This directive is for internal use only and does not enlarge an employee's civil liability in any
way. It should not be construed as creating a higher standard of safety or care in an evidentiary
sense concerning third-party claims. Violation of this directive, if proven, can only form the
basis this Department's complaint and only in a non-judicial administrative setting.
Page 1 of 14 - General Order 7-13 (07/14/25)
ACTIVE SHOOTERS, ACTIVE THREATS, HOSTAGE AND/OR BARRICADED SUBJECT
SITUATIONS
V.
DEFINITIONS
A.
B.
ACTIVE SHOOTER - An armed person or persons who have used deadly force on
another person(s) and aggressively continue to do so while they have unrestricted access
to additional victims.
An
active shooter incident requires immediate action and rapid deployment and does not
incorporate Hostage/Barricaded Suspect tactics.
ACTIVE THREAT - Any incident that deliberately creates an immediate danger to the
community. An active threat may involve the community. An active threat may involve
firearms (active shooter) or other types of weapons.
C.
D.
BARRICADED SUBJECT - An individual probably armed, believed to have been
involved in a criminal act or is a significant threat to the lives and safety of citizens, or
themselves, and or police; and is in a position of advantage, affording cover and
concealment; or is contained in an open area and the presence or approach of police
officers could precipitate an adverse reaction by the suspect, and the suspect refuses to
submit to arrest. These situations have a high potential for serious injury or death and
result in unsafe conditions for the officers on the scene.
CASUALTY COLLECTION POINTS (CCP) - A specific secure location inside of the
structure where casualties are assembled, triaged, medically stabilized, and evacuated to
a medical treatment facility.
[CALEA 46.1.10d]
E. CONTACT TEAM (CT)
―
Initial officers,
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
prioritizing locating and neutralizing the threat.
HOSTAGE
―
A person held against their will by a perpetrator who intends to use the
safety of the person to their advantage.
CRISIS NEGOTIATIONS TEAM (CNT) - A team composed of police personnel who
are specially trained and equipped to intervene in high-risk situations.
INCIDENT COMMANDER - The individual responsible for the overall command and
control of the situation, including management of personnel and resources, establishing
liaison with outside agencies, and establishing the Incident Command System. The
Incident Commander is the Chief of Police or designee. The first supervisor on the scene
will assume incident command until they are properly relieved. [CALEA 46.1.1]
INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS) - The ICS is built around five functional
areas: Command, Planning, Operations, Logistics and Finance/Administration. The
Department will utilize the ICS model to provide a means to coordinate response efforts
of individual units and agencies to stabilize and resolve critical incidents.
INVESTIGATIVE COMMANDER The individual responsible for developing
information on the principals involved in the incident, securing evidence for the
Page 2 of 14 - General Order 7-13 (07/14/25)
ACTIVE SHOOTERS, ACTIVE THREATS, HOSTAGE AND/OR BARRICADED SUBJECT
SITUATIONS
VI.
prosecution of suspect(s), overseeing search