Irvin Irving, Chief of Police

Volume I, Issue 1

August 2020

BARRICADED SUSPECTS

Incidents involving a barricaded suspect present significantly safety concerns to first responders, the barricaded individual and the community.

This Bulletin will help the Incident Commander (IC) identity the actions that may be necessary to manage an incident that involves a barricaded suspect.

What is a Barricaded Suspect?

Not all suspects who refuse to surrender are considered barricaded suspects necessitating a SWAT response. A barricaded suspect incident prompting a SWAT response may include, but is not limited to, the following criteria:

• The suspect is probably armed; and,

• Probable cause exists to believe that the suspect has been involved in a criminal act, or is a threat to the community and/or police; and,

• Is in a position of advantage, affording cover and/or concealment; or is contained in an open area and the presence or approach of officers could cause an adverse reaction by the suspect; and,

• The suspect refuses to submit to a lawful arrest.

SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS TEAM

Handling barricaded suspects in one of the SWAT team’s specific assignments. The SWAT team has two roles at a barricaded suspect incident:

▪ Gather information to provide tactical recommendations and solutions to the IC; and,

▪ Employ a tactical plan to capture the barricaded suspect at the IC’s request.

Requesting SWAT

If the IC believes the incident meets the criteria for a barricaded suspect, the IC shall request SWAT. The IC needs to be able to justify the need for SWAT.

• Number of suspect(s) and/or hostage(s)

• Physical descriptors

• Clothing

• Ages

• Drug/Alcohol use

• Criminal history

• Mental state of the suspect

• Floor plan of location

• Additional pertinent facts

Crisis Negotiations Team

SWAT includes a Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT). CNT uses tactical, verbal and psychological knowledge and skills to negotiate the safe surrender of barricaded suspect(s) and any victims who may be held against their will.

First responders should avoid making any promises to family members or loved ones that would suggest a special relationship has been created.

Elevated Platforms

When a person has expressed the desire to harm themselves, avoid underestimating the danger posed solely by the person’s location. A person on an elevated platform may still be capable of causing serious injury or death to themselves or others. First responder actions should be limited to evacuating the area, establishing communication, and de-escalating the situation as much as possible.

Note: Fire Department (FD) personnel will likely respond to these types of incidents; however, the situation remains a police-driven incident.

ROLE OF THE INITIAL COMMUNICATOR

Establishing communication with either the suspect/subject is essential.

It is recommended that at least 2 officers are a part of this process:

• One officer establishes communication with the suspect/subject; and,

• One officer relays information to the IC regarding progress.

Supervisors should avoid becoming involved in the role of negotiator to maintain command and control of the situation.

The following points are suggested for the initial communicator:

• Find out who, what, when, where and why before making contact with the suspect/subject to determine their state of mind;

• Do jeopardise officer safety to approach or converse with the suspect/subject;

• Calm down before initiating communication; and,

• Be prepared to remain as the communicator until relieved by CNT.

The initial conversation with the suspect/subject is important. The following guidelines will assist the communicator in establishing useful dialogue:

• Introduce yourself by first name and as a representative of the Department. Avoid using your rank or title;

• If the suspect/subject does not give their name, or refuses to respond, continue to communicate;

• Allow the suspect/subject to vent;

• Listen to the suspect/subject. Do not rush them;

• Avoid a critical, uncaring tone;

• Avoid rushing to solve the problem; and,

• Build rapport and establish trust.

General Negotiation Guidelines

• Avoid face-to-face negotiations when possible;

• Avoid thirty-party negotiators until properly vetted;

• Do not officer transportation or hostage exchange;

• Demands for weapons, drugs or alcohol cannot be met;

• Generally, suspects and hostages should not be allowed to go mobile;

• Communicate in English when possible;

• Discourage the use of cell phones by persons on-scene; and,

• Do not have the suspect/subject surrender until officers on-scene are prepared to receive them.

Face-to-face negotiations are sometimes unavoidable; however, it is important that the communicator stay a safe distance from the suspect/subject. Grabbing/grappling with a suspect/subject on an elevated platform puts the officer(s) at risk.

CONCLUSION

The negotiation process is the blending of verbal and physical tactics that can facilitate the release of hostages, apprehension of suspects and peaceful surrender of a suicidal subject.