Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nSEMINOLE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NUMBER:
G - 75
GENERAL ORDER
RESCINDS: E-12 (Effective 10/10/17)
SUBJECT: Tactical Teams & Patrol Responsibilities at High-Risk Incidents
EFFECTIVE: April 14, 1995
REVISED: March 31, 2025
Table of Contents:
I. Purpose
II. Scope
III. Definitions
IV. First Deputy on the Scene (Duties and Responsibilities)
V First Supervisor on the Scene (Duties and Responsibilities)
VI. Duties of Support Personnel
VII. High Risk Incident and Tactical Team Commander (Duties and Responsibilities)
VIII. Jurisdictional Responsibility
IX. SWAT & HDT Team Duties and Responsibilities (General)
X. Periodic Review
I. PURPOSE:
This directive establishes general duties and responsibilities of Enforcement/SWAT/CNT/HDT personnel
when responding to situations involving high-risk incidents. It is used in conjunction with Enforcement
Policy 13.
II. SCOPE:
High-risk incidents, such as barricaded subjects, crises, suspicious or hazardous devices, or violent felony
offender searches that present a threat to human life will potentially require the activation of specialized
resources such as the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), or the
Hazardous Device Team (HDT) for incident resolution.
III. DEFINITIONS:
A. Specialized Response Team Activation:
The authority to call a Specialized Response Team to a situation rests with an on-scene supervisor or
higher authority.
B. Specialized Response or Tactical Team Commander:
An Administrative Supervisor is designated as the SWAT, HDT or CNT Team Commander over all
GENERAL ORDER
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C. SWAT Team:
Personnel assigned to the SWAT Team are responsible for high-risk incidents to include acts of
terrorism, overwatch, hostage rescue, barricaded subjects, suicidal subjects, high-risk search and
arrest warrants, high-risk vehicle takedowns, armed fugitive tracking, counter-sniper incidents,
suspicious or hazardous devices, or other events that specialized training is required. Other functions
of the SWAT Team include surveillance, rural search/rescue, and/or a quick reactionary force
(QRF). Tactical personnel answer directly to specified Team Leaders or Assistant Team Leaders.
D. Crisis Negotiation Team:
Personnel assigned to the Crisis Negotiation Team, under the direction of the Crisis Negotiation
Team Commander, communicate with persons in crisis, barricaded suspects, or other persons who
disregard law enforcement direction.
E. Hazardous Device Team
Personnel assigned to the HDT are responsible for high-risk incidents to include acts of terrorism,
barricaded subjects, high-risk search and arrest warrants, suspicious or hazardous devices, rendering
safe and/or removing suspected improvised explosive devices, incendiary devices, explosives,
chemicals, pyrotechnics, and ammunition.
F. High-Risk Incident Commander:
The High Risk Incident Commander is the principal advisor to the Sheriff in regard to overseeing or
planning for a response to high-risk incidents. High-Risk Incident Commanders will serve as the
agency’s Incident Commander in all SWAT, CNT and HDT deployments, riots or other civil
disorders, active shooter situations, natural or man-made disasters, hostage taking, barricaded
subjects, high-risk warrant service, and high profile incidents.
IV. FIRST DEPUTY ON THE SCENE (DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES):
A. Direct the Communications Division to place the primary radio frequency on "emergency traffic."
B. Confirm, if possible, that an actual life-threatening situation exists.
C. Verify the response of a Supervisor.
D. If possible based on the situation, attempt to contact the subject via phone and determine intentions
and resistance level. Personnel should be placed in a position where they can evaluate threats and
not be without cover or concealment.
E. If the situation is stabilized, the subject is not considered an active assailant, and no life is in
immediate danger, attempt to avoid confrontation with the suspect in favor of controlling and
containing the situation until the arrival of trained tactical personnel.
V. FIRST SUPERVISOR ON THE SCENE (DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES):
A. Assess the situation and confirm that all duties of the first Deputy on the scene have been carried
out.
B. Assume command of the scene and maintain command until relieved by a higher authority or
GENERAL ORDER
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C. Establish a central command post at an appropriate distance away from the scene. This is generally
more than a block away, unless an explosive device is identified. Command posts with a suspected
explosive device should be at least a thousand feet away.
D. Identify an adequate staging area large enough to park vehicles of responding personnel away from
the command post.
E. Based on the situation, evacuate or shelter in place citizens in harm’s way. This should be evaluated
based on the immediate threat, probability of injury, scope of the evacuation, and manpower to
evacuate. If time permits, contact the responding High-Risk Incident Commander prior to any non-
life threatening evacuations.
F. Direct Communications to request fire and medical personnel at the command post (even if there are
no injured persons present).
G. Request all persons having pertinent information regarding the incident to remain at the command
post. Interviews, written statements, debriefing, and prosecution affidavits should be taken by a
designated Deputy or Detective.
H. Constant situational awareness should be broadcast via radio by the initial responding deputy or on-
scene supervisor. This should include threats, weapons, movement, and communication so that
responding deputies have the current information on the event.
I. Follow the eight critical steps of incident management:
1. Assess the situation
2. Establish the danger zone
3. Establish and inner perimeter
4. Establish an outer perimeter
5. Establish command
6. Establish a staging area
7. Identify additional resources
8. Keep personnel accountability
J. Notify the Watch or Region Commander depending on time of day. The Watch or Region
Commander or, in his/her absence, the first responding supervisor, will contact the High-Risk
Incident Commander and/or the appropriate Specialized Response Team Commander and ensure
they are responding. This may also be done through the Communications Division.
K. Direct all responding personnel to the staging area for assignment and briefing. Ensure a deputy
or supervisor has been designated to respond to and manage resources at the staging location. If
applicable, designate an alternate radio channel for staging operations.
L. Strengthen and reinforce the inner perimeter. Establish an Immediate Action Team if necessary,
for containment, emergency entry or subject surrender. The Immediate Action Team should be
comprised of at-least four persons, and include breaching equipment, ballistic shields, active
shooter kits (including bleeding control medical items), and both lethal and non-lethal coverage.
They should be positioned to gain access to the structure within a reasonable amount time, without
exposing themselves to undo risks.
M. Assign personnel to cover exits and possible escape routes, being careful to station personnel so
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G-75 Page 3 OF 10\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nthey are not susceptible to cross-fire. If resources allow, personnel should be in pairs, at a distance,
and behind cover.
N. Strengthen the outer perimeter and utilize both enforcement and non-enforcement personnel (Field
Service Officers) to handle traffic and pedestrian control. The public should be properly informed
of the situation.
O. Verify intelligence information fr