go-86.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\n\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY The Department shall establish procedures for selecting, training, equipping, and deploying the Special Response Team, and team members are responsible for adhering to the established protocols of this written directive in the fulfillment of their assigned duties. DEFINITIONS High-Risk Incident: Any situation involving an act of violence or potential act of violence in which officers, in the course of their official duties, may be at a tactical disadvantage and are subject to extreme danger. These incidents include, but are not limited to, hostage takings, armed barricaded felony suspects, armed barricaded suicidal persons who are a threat to others, bombings or explosions due to criminal act, sniper incidents, active shootings and other active threats, certain crowd control incidents, high-risk search warrants and certain pre-planned arrest/surveillance operations. A high- risk incident does not necessarily result in an SRT activation. Incident Commander: The highest-ranking officer who has assumed command at the scene of a high-risk incident. Special Response Team (SRT): A group of officers (ideally between 80 and 100) who have received specialized training in tactics which address volatile civil disturbances using organized team techniques, small squads, or other mobile responses. Included within the Special Response Team during activations are the Community Oriented Problem Policing Squads and officers of the Prisoner Transport Unit. (SRT) Activation: Whenever the SRT Commander, or designee, authorizes a complete or limited deployment of team members to assist in the resolution of a crowd control situation or similar high-risk incident. Activations can be for either planned events or unplanned situations with crowd control concerns. Utilization of only on-duty SRT members to resolve a spontaneous and/or rapidly developing event is not considered an SRT activation. PROCEDURES I. GENERAL INFORMATION A. The Special Response Team (SRT) provides a rapid and organized response to incidents to restore order, control crowds, rescue victims, conduct investigative field searches, or to assist in similar situations, GENERAL ORDER 86 PAGE 2 of 25 SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM NOVEMBER 26,2024\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT and this written directive establishes procedures for utilization of the SRT. B. The keys to successful use of the SRT are pre-planning, training, discipline and leadership, with an emphasis on group, rather than individual, action. C. Assignment on the Special Response Team (SRT) is at the direction of the Chief of Police or designee. D. Team members are chosen by an established selection process and serve at the discretion of the Chief of Police and the SRT Commander. E. The SRT Commander is selected by and serves at the discretion of the Chief of Police, and reports to a designated Major for matters pertaining to the SRT (i.e., SRT Major). F. The SRT Major is selected by and serves at the discretion of the Chief of Police, and reports to the Deputy Chief for matters pertaining to the SRT. G. In the absence of the SRT Commander, members who normally direct report to the SRT Commander shall report to the Executive Officer. H. Members whose leader/supervisor is absent shall report up the chain of command in a manner as depicted in the SRT Organizational Structure graphic in Appendix One. I. Except as noted in section II below (for the Medic Function), the SRT consists of only sworn members. II. TEAM COMPONENTS AND MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES A. Commander – The SRT Commander is a lieutenant (or other sworn member as designated by the Chief of Police or designee) responsible for the administrative and operational aspects of SRT activities, which include: 1. Preparing requisitions for SRT supplies and equipment, 2. Maintaining files and records on all SRT related incidents, 3. Maintaining current SRT mobilization rosters, GENERAL ORDER 86 PAGE 3 of 25 SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM NOVEMBER 26,2024\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT 4. Mobilizing off-duty team members for SRT activations, and 5. Supervising and deploying of SRT members. B. Executive Officer – The SRT Executive Officer is a sergeant or lieutenant (or another member appointed by the SRT Commander) who assists the SRT Commander with a variety of operational and administrative duties of the team, to include: 1. Commanding the SRT in the absence of the SRT Commander, 2. Assisting the SRT Commander during team activations, 3. Maintaining activity logs to be utilized for the after-action report, 4. Assisting with team training and general team management, and 5. Completing other tasks as assigned. C. Training Coordinator – 1. The SRT Training Coordinator is a sergeant (or another member who is appointed by and reports to the SRT Commander) responsible for maintaining the team training schedule and ensuring training topics enhance response capabilities and address deficiencies. 2. The SRT Training Coordinator is responsible for: a. Providing oversight for the medic function and videographers during team activations, b. Identifying training needs and scheduling SRT training, c. Ensuring training methods are consistent throughout the SRT, d. Maintaining SRT training records for individual member and team training/exercises, e. Forwarding appropriate training documentation to the Training Section, GENERAL ORDER 86 PAGE 4 of 25 SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM NOVEMBER 26,2024\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT f. Maintaining SRT after-action reports, g. Ensuring medics have assigned equipment and it is in a state of operational readiness, h. Conducting bi-annual training with medics to ensure operational proficiency, and D. Logistics Function – 1. The SRT logistics function is comprised of one sergeant (or another member appointed by the SRT Commander) and three to five officers designated to manage the logistical needs of the team. 2. The logistics officers report to the logistics sergeant, who reports to the SRT Commander. 3. The logistics function is responsible for: a. Maintaining accurate inventories of team equipment and supplies, b. Coordinating maintenance and repair of team equipment, c. Coordinating inspections, maintenance and repair of each SRT vehicle to ensure it is in a state of operational readiness, d. Conducting quarterly inspections of team equipment to ensure it is in a state of operational readiness, e. During mass arrests incidents, assisting with prisoner transport processes and being the point of contact with the Leon County Detention Facility, f. Coordinating the deployment of non-SRT members assigned to prisoner processing duties, and g. Ensuring adherence to established arrest procedures. E. Medic Function – 1. The SRT medic function is comprised of members trained in advanced first aid. GENERAL ORDER 86 PAGE 5 of 25 SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM NOVEMBER 26,2024\n\n--- Page 6 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT 2. Medics may be fulltime practicing paramedics who are reserve officers, or fulltime officers who maintain the required state certification and training requirements. 3. At the discretion of the Chief of Police, SRT Medics may be non- sworn persons certified as paramedics or emergency medical technicians. 4. Members of the medic function report to the Training Coordinator, and are responsible for: a. Rendering first aid to injured team members and citizens, and (if necessary) ensuring safe removal of injured persons from the field of operations, and b. Monitoring team member wellness for the effects of fatigue, dehydration and other illnesses. F. Platoon – 1. The SRT consists of one platoon with a sergeant serving as the platoon leader., 2. The platoon is made up of four squads, the arrest team, and the grenadier team. (typically between 38 and 48 total officers). The platoon leader reports to the SRT Commander, and is responsible for providing oversight, d