7-904 - Active Shooter Policy - ERU Personnel

Policy

In response to a nationwide increase of active shooter incidents, and incidents where suspects use high-powered, high-capacity assault rifles while committing crimes, qualified MPD Emergency Response Unit (ERU) personnel shall be required to carry with them the following equipment in addition to standard squad equipment.

• ERU assigned tactical weapon
• Ballistic helmet
• Level III tactical vest

This equipment shall be placed in the trunk of the ERU officer’s police vehicle at the start of his/her patrol shift and removed at the end of the shift. If the equipment is needed at a scene, the ERU officer will advise MECC of his/her arrival at the scene with tactical weapons and equipment. If an Operation 100 has been called, the tactical decisions will be made by the on-scene ranking ERU member in concert with incident command. If an Operation 100 has not been called, the highest ranking department member at the scene shall command the incident. The equipment shall not be removed unless at least one of the following circumstances is present:

• The ERU officer is responding to an “active shooter” situation where gunfire is present at the time of the officer’s arrival at the scene. An active shooter situation is defined as an ongoing or continuing act where the perpetrator is actively assaulting others with a firearm or deadly weapon.
• The ERU officer is responding to, or is present at, an Operation 100.
• The ERU officer is requested to participate in a high-risk search warrant entry or high-risk building search during their patrol shift.

MPD personnel shall remain cognizant of the fact that in many active shooter incidents, innocent lives are lost within the first few minutes of the incident. In some situations, this dictates the need to rapidly assess the situation and act quickly in order to save lives.

• Firearms/Ammunition/Firearm Accessories: A device that projects either single or multiple projectiles at high velocity. Ammunition is a term meaning the assembly of a projectile and its propellant. Accessories include but are not limited to holsters, gun cases, firearm optics, suppression devices, cleaning supplies, etc.
• High-Risk Search Warrant: A search warrant in which known or suspected hazards have been identified and likely might be present during the service of the warrant. The identified hazards are of such significant risk to the safety of individuals that the search warrant exceeds the capabilities of normal patrol and investigative functions. These hazards may include, but are not limited to, suspect factors such as weapon possession and use, and location factors such as obstacles and other approach difficulties.
• MECC: Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center is the city's 911 center that answers emergency and non-emergency calls and coordinates the appropriate response by public safety services.
• Operation 100: An Operation 100 is a SWAT callout where on or off-duty SWAT Tactical, Negotiators, and Tech Team members respond to a hostile event, such as an active shooter or a barricaded suspect, which exceeds the capabilities of traditional law enforcement first responders and investigators.
• Search Warrant: A document issued by the Court authorizing the police to enter and search a person, premises, location or vehicle for purposes of evidence recovery.