GO 580.1820 - Deployment of Armored Vehicles

SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS GO 580.18 Page 1 of 3 580.18 DEPLOYMENT OF ARMORED VEHICLES 02-02-2024 PURPOSE The purpose of this order is to establish guidelines for the deployment and use of Sacramento Police Department (SPD) armored vehicles during critical incidents. POLICY It shall be the policy of the Sacramento Police Department to deploy and use armored vehicles solely for official law enforcement purposes and in accordance with federal and California state laws regarding the use of motor vehicles. Armored vehicles may be used in response to critical incidents to enhance officer and community safety, improve scene containment and stabilization, and lead ultimately to the successful conclusion of a critical incident. PROCEDURE A. DEFINITIONS 1. ARMORED VEHICLE – Commercially produced vehicles equipped with armor plating and bullet resistant glass utilized for law enforcement purposes. 2. ARMORED PERSONNEL VEHICLES (BEARCAT) – Wheeled, armored vehicles designed primarily to transport personnel and equipment. The armored personnel vehicles can be used by trained patrol and tactical team officers for the movement and protection of officers and civilians and provide greater protection beyond that of ballistic shields and personal body armor. 3. ARMORED CATERPILLAR MULTI -TERRAIN LOADER (ROOK) – A tracked armored vehicle built on the chassis of a Caterpillar bulldozer designed primarily to be used by trained tactical officers to operate in high- threat environments. The Rook is equipped with mission -specific attachments that can be used in response to threats or hazards including explosives and ballistic threats. B. GENERAL 1. Patrol officers are the first responders to all unplanned critical incidents and should have access to Bearcat armored vehicles to provide ballistic protection during these incidents. 2. Drivers shall have completed a formalized course of instruction in the operation of Bearcat armored vehicles. 3. The Rook armored vehicle shall only be operated by Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team members who have completed the appropriate training. 4. The Metro Division SWAT commander will be responsible for the security and maintenance of all armored vehicles. C. DEPLOYMENT 1. General: a. Armored vehicles shall only be driven by officers trained in their deployment and in a manner consistent with department policy and training. b. The use of armored vehicles shall only be authorized by a watch commander based on specific circumstances, such as critical incidents involving actual, threatened, or suspected violence related to loss of life or serious bodily injury. 2. Bearcat: a. The watch commander shall ensure that the SWAT commander is notified regarding the deployment of Bearcat armored vehicles by patrol officers as soon as is practical. b. Bearcat armored vehicles shall not be used in lieu of using SWAT, as detailed in General SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS GO 580.18 Page 2 of 3 Order 580.15 (Special Weapons and Tactics Team). c. Dispatch shall note on the call whenever patrol officers are deploying Bearcat armored vehicles. d. Bearcat armored vehicles may be used for community events and events displaying SPD personnel and equipment with authorization from the SWAT commander. 3. Rook: a. Deployment of the Rook armored vehicle shall only be authorized by the SWAT commander, or their designee. The Rook shall not be authorized as a matter of routine, but rather after a careful evaluation of the specific facts and circumstances of the incident, and that its use is likely to be required. b. The Rook armored vehicle shall only be used for: (1) Ballistic protection for officers and members o f the public, including first, second, or third story coverage. (2) Rough terrain environments where the use of other equipment would be limited. (3) Providing rescue platforms for elevated structure rescues or evacuations. (4) Removal of unoccupied vehicles blocking officer access. (5) Removal of fortifications blocking officer access. (6) Porthole breaching for Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) access or gas deployment when it is unsafe or impractical to use other equipment. (7) Door breaching when it is unsafe or impractical to use other equipment. (8) Other unspecified emergency situations where preservation of life is paramount, and the use of other equipment is unsafe, impossible, or infeasible. D. LIMITATIONS ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF ARMORED VEHICLES 1. General: a. Armored vehicles shall only be deployed for critical incidents involving actual, threatened, or suspected violence related to loss of life or serious bodily injury. b. Armored vehicles shall not be used for routine patrol or day -to-day operations. c. The use of armored vehicles will comply with the authorizations and prohibitions on the use of armored vehicles solely for official law enforcement purposes as set forth in the Department’s policies, and pursuant to state and federal law. 2. Bearcat: a. Bearcat armored veh icles shall not be used for crowd control situations unless articulable facts dictate the need to deploy the equipment. 3. Rook: a. The Rook shall not be used for any crowd control purposes. b. The Rook shall not be used to move any items related to homeless encampment cleanup. c. The Rook shall not be used for any community events without approval by the Chief of Police (COP). E. ARMORED VEHICLE DEPLOYMENT NOTIFICATION 1. All Deployments of any SPD or outside agency armored vehicles, including armored personnel vehicles and armored caterpillar multi- terrain loaders will require the following notification process: a. For Preplanned High- Risk Search or Arrest Warrants: (