Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish definitions and protocol relating to special events and incidents, including appropriate response by MPD.
Patrol Response to Special Events/Incidents
- The responsibility for precinct situational awareness lies with the on-duty precinct supervisor (may be lieutenant or sergeant).
- The affected precinct supervisor will notify the on-duty Watch Commander or Precinct Commander as appropriate.
- The affected precinct supervisor will assume the incident command, assess the situation and plan for an appropriate operational response using Precinct Response Teams. (The composition of Precinct Response Team is listed below).
- The Incident Commander will contact an on-duty SOD Patrol Supervisor or the 1280 supervisor to determine availability of SWAT personnel to assist.
- Watch Commanders will continue to maintain their city-wide responsibilities and assist the Incident Commander with issues requiring their authority. Watch Commanders will also notify the police administration as necessary. (For additional details, see section 7-200, Watch Commanders).
- The Incident Commander will direct the other precinct supervisors to put together a Response Team from their precinct personnel. The Response Team will either stand by at their precinct or be deployed as instructed by the Incident Commander.
- If time permits, a staging area will be designated and the Precinct Response Teams will respond there for briefing and assignments by the Incident Commander. If adequate time is not available, Precinct Response Teams may be assigned via radio enroute.
- Normally, the Incident Commander will assign Precinct Response Teams specific duties and allow the response team sergeants freedom to implement them.
- At the conclusion of any short notice incident, an After Action Report should be completed by the Incident Commander and forwarded up the chain-of-command.
Precinct Response Teams
Upon request of the Incident Commander, the precinct supervisor(s) charged with the formation of a Precinct Response Team will ensure the that following is completed:
- A group of available members is gathered at the precinct (from any shift currently on duty).
- Group size will depend upon the request of the Incident Commander.
- One sergeant will be included (if no sergeant is available, a senior member may be designated to be in-charge of the team.
- Names and badge numbers of the team are recorded.
- The Response Team has any special equipment requested by the Incident Commander, in addition to all other necessary equipment (e.g. helmets, riot batons, gas masks, 8-point hats, prepared for weather).
- The Response Team is transported to the scene using as few vehicles as possible. Booking vans should be utilized as part of the response if available.
- Incidents involving multiple arrests shall have a supervisor designated to oversee arrest reports and statements. The Booking Team should document each arrestee with an on-scene photograph.
Definitions
Refer to the Commonly Used Terms page for general definitions.
- Baton: A handheld, rigid, stick-like intermediate weapon. Batons are typically made of materials such as wood and metal, and come in various lengths and styles. (See the specifications section in P&P 5-310 for authorized types)
- Incident Commander:
The Incident Commander (IC) is the first officer or supervisor to arrive on the scene of a call for service where multiple units, scenes, or assisting agencies are dispatched. The Incident Commander has overall command of the incident, until properly relieved by a supervisor of higher rank if necessary, and will be based at the incident command post. The priorities of the Incident Commander include:
- Assess incident priorities.
- Determine strategic goals and tactical objectives, not related to the operations of SWAT or ESU personnel.
- Identify a staging area, if needed.
- Develop and implement incident action plan.
- Develop appropriate incident management structure.
- Assess resource needs.
- Coordinate overall on-scene emergency activities.
- Authorize information to be released to the media.
- Reports and Statements: Police Report: A report or statement in a report that sets forth the officer's account of an incident and is entered into the MPD's Records Management System.
Public Safety Statement: A mandatory statement from the Involved Officers which provides information necessary to ensure public safety. This may include questions about the direction in which the Involved Officer fired their firearm, injured people, location of dangerous weapons or information on any suspects still at large and any other information necessary to facilitate the commencement of the investigation.
Voluntary Statement: A statement given by Involved or Witness Officers to Investigations Bureau Investigators which is voluntary and outlines details associated with the Critical Incident. Voluntary statements from officers are essential for bringing criminal charges against suspects, defending officers, and maintaining community trust by providing the Chief of Police with sufficient information to appropriately address community concerns. Voluntary statements will be taken in question and answer (Q&A) format.
- Short Notice Incident: Incidents requiring a large-scale commitment of officers on typically 1 to 2 hour notice. These incidents are characterized by a short planning window and arise from events occurring which have just become known.
- Special Weapons and Tactics Team: A specialized police unit trained and equipped to handle high-risk situations beyond the scope of regular patrol, such as armed barricades, hostage rescues, and high-risk warrant service.