Riverhead Police Department

Training DivisionTitle: Officer Down/Citizen Rescue PPT Version: Windows 2002/XP Created: April 14th, 2003 by Information & Technologies Section - Version: 2.0Latest Mod: 08/28/03

Riverhead PoliceDepartment

CRITICAL INCIDENT:

Officer Down / Citizen Rescue

2003

“Leave No Man Behind!”

Maj. Gen. William F. Garrison

Battle of Mogadishu 1993

Officer Down / Citizen Rescue Overview

Introduction

Definitions

Positions & Responsibilities

ODCR Traffic Stop Incident

ODCR Standard Police Response Incident

Conclusion

Introduction

Shooting Incidents unfortunately are nothing new in our society and appear to be on the rise.

An average of 163 Police Officers are killed in the line of duty each year. Approximately 60,000 Officers are assaulted each year resulting in 19,000 injuries.

There may come a time when one of your fellow Officers or a citizen has been immobilized and a Dynamic Emergency Rescue is required to extract the wounded individual to a safe area.

This block of instruction provides the Officer with a foundation regarding Dynamic Emergency

Rescues from which they can use to formulate a rescue plan according to the given situation.

Important Definitions!

Dynamic Emergency Rescue

Safe Zone

Danger Zone

Reactionary Gap

Point of No Return

Dynamic Emergency Rescue

DER is a high risk patrol operation that if required, involves allocating a team of Officers to make a rapid tactical insertion into a potentially hostile outdoor environment, locate, recover, and secure a wounded subject(s), then evacuate from that area in an expeditious manner.

Keep in Mind!

This block of training deals with a Dynamic Emergency Rescue – A rescue attempt into a potentially hostile area. This training does not deal with a Tactical Emergency Rescue (TER), a rescue that requires a trained Tactical Team utilizing appropriate equipment, ballistic shields or blankets, and diversionary devices entering a confirmed active hostile environment.

Safe Zone

A high risk area that has been temporarily secured by the Rescue Team providing adequate cover and concealment. It acts as a staging platform from which the rescue mission is executed.

Danger Zone

A high risk area that has not been secured by the Rescue Team. The longer an Officer is exposed in this area, the higher the probability of encountering a threat. Technically, it is any area that is not a Safe Zone.

Reactionary Gap

The reactionary gap is the time you have between identifying an attack and time you have to react to it.

Point of No Return

A point in the Rescue Operation where all of the resources allocated (Manpower, Vehicles, etc.) have been committed to their fullest extent. At this moment they have entered the highest level of vulnerability regardless of whether they continue on or retreat.

February 27th, 1997.

Occurred in North Hollywood, California.

Suspects – Larry Phillips and Emil Mosuranyo.

Wounded 16 People.

One Suspect commits suicide and the other is killed by S.W.A.T.

North Hollywood Bank Robbery

North Hollywood Bank Robbery

Wounded 16 People – 11 Officers, 5 Civilians.

10 Police Vehicles Destroyed.

4 separate Rescue Operations take place during the incident which lasted approximately 45

minutes.

Officers utilized Police Vehicles during the rescues and even commandeered an armored truck to assist in the recovery operation.

Positions and Responsibilities

Components of the DER

Rescue Team Members will consist of -

1. Cover Officers

2. Rescue Officers

Depending upon the number of Officers available, if less than the recommended number of personnel are utilized for a team, certain team members may have the responsibility of performing dual roles.

What should be done prior to performing the rescue?

Obtain as much information possible enroute to the location.

Asses the situation. Request appropriate resources - Additional Patrol Units, Medical Personnel, Aviation, and E.S.U.

Is a DER necessary? – Decision should be made by a Supervisor.

Advise responding units of the situation.

Quickly assemble the Emergency Rescue Team and deploy as soon as possible.

Cover Officer Responsibilities

Priority is to secure the perimeter of the rescue area. Maintain the integrity of the safe zone.

- Protect Rescue Officers and victim.

- Scan assigned area of responsibility – Individual Area of Operation (Individual AO) – 90 Degrees, 180 Degrees, or even 270 Degrees.

- Stop any immediate threat.

- Limit movement of suspect(s).

- Apprehend suspect(s).

Rescue Officer Responsibilities

Priority is to recover the injured Officer/Citizen.

- Make contact with the injured subject as quickly as possible and assess all injuries.

- Move them to the safe zone providing they can be moved.

- Secure the victim in the appropriate rescue vehicle as quickly as you can.

- Notify Cover Officers that the victim is secure and ready for evacuation (Bang on the roof of the vehicle).

Remember the 4 Tactical Firearms Safety Rules

Always scan with your weapon.

Muzzle Discipline – never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to shoot.

TFTG – Keep you finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target and you are

going to shoot.

Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

Use of Deadly Force

Based on IDOL (Immediate Defense of Life) – Use of Force Continuum.

Individual Officer makes the decision.

Does not require approval from higher authority.

Utilized to stop the immediate threat.

The Law – “Reasonably Justified”.

No exception to LAW or POLICY!

Suppressive Fire

A worst case scenario – should only be employed when other options are not reasonable.

Directed at a “Target Specific” threat. Always be cognizant of your background.

Utilized to stop or prevent deadly behavior caused by the suspect(s) when entering an exposed area to gain a tactical advantage.

All personnel must be aware of intended deployment.

DER Support

As additional units arrive at the scene they should assist with –

- Setting up an overall outer perimeter.

- Establishing a Medi-Vac center.

- Establishing a landing zone for Aviation.

- Manning traffic details if necessary.

- Setting up an Incident Command Post.

ODCR Traffic Stop Incident

Pre Rescue Line Up ODCR Traffic Stop Incident

4 Man Rescue Team

2 Cover Officers

2 Rescue OfficersR1 R2

C C

R R

Vehicle Positioning Park the vehicle on a 45 Degree Angle

Away from the presumed threat.

Attempt to get as close to the victim’s vehicle as you can.

Allow enough room so that doors can easily be opened.

Drivers must remember to open the door for rear passengers when exiting vehicles.

The Victim should be secured in the Rescue Vehicle furthest from the potential threat.

Visual Scanning Responsibilities

4 Man Rescue Team

R1

C

R

R2

C

R

Rescue 1 Scans Left Side

R1

C

R

R2

C

R

Rescue 2 Scans Right Side

R1

C

R

R2

C

R

Cover Officers Scan to the Outside looking for Victims /

Suspects

R1

C

R

R2

C

R

Rescue Officers Scan to the Inside looking for Victims /

Suspects

R1

C

R

R2

C

R

V

Visual Scanning Responsibilities during the Rescue Approach.

R1

R2

ODCR Traffic Stop Incident

4 Man Rescue Team deployed utilizing DER

Tactics

Standard V&T Stop.The Officer is confronted by the suspect.

V

The Suspect’s vehicle has been damaged during the gunfight. The suspect flees on foot but may still be in

the area posing a threat.

VR2

R1

The Officer has been wounded and requires immediate rescue.

A DER Team has been approved and deployed.

V

Vehicle #1 takes the point flanking position.

R2

R1

R2

V

Vehicle #2 takes the rear flanking position.

R1

V

A barrier is created with the vehicle’s engine blocks providing cover.

R1

R2

Safe Zone

V

R1

R2

This creates a temporary Safe Zone.

V

R1

R2

CR

Rescue Team Members take their positions.

CR

Cover Officers provide cover.

V

R1

R2

CR

CR

V

R1

R2

CR

CR

If a Diversionary Device is available it should be utilized.

V

R1

R2

CR

CR

Rescue Officers perform the recovery portion of the operation.

R1

R2

C

C

The victim is removed to the appropriate Rescue Vehicle.

VRR

V

R1

R2

C

C

RR

Once the victim is secured the Team can begin the evacuation procedure.

V

R1

R2

C

C

R

R

Rescuers will bang on the vehicle’s roof letting their teammates know that they are ready for evacuation.

Bang! Bang!

Bang! Bang!

When all members are accounted for, the vehicles can evacuate the area.

R2

R1

R2

The vehicle without the victim should be the last to leave the area.

R1R1

The Traffic Stop Officer Down Rescue Operation is finished.

The vehicle formation that is utilized in the Traffic Stop Rescue Operation is simple

and flexible enough to handle an array of rescue situations in

this setting.

V

R1

R2

CR

CR

Officer wounded on the roadway.

V

R1

R2

CR

CR

Officer wounded off the roadway.

V

R1

R2

CR

CR

Officer wounded and still inside the Police vehicle.

V

R1

R2

CR

CR

Officer wounded on the roadway and the suspect’s vehicle is gone.

V

R1

R2

CR

CR

Civilian wounded and still inside the their vehicle.

ODCR Standard Police Response Incident

Pre Rescue Line Up ODCR Standard Police Response Incident

4 Man Rescue Team

2 Cover Officers

2 Rescue OfficersR1 R2

C C

R R

ODCR Standard Police Response Incident

4 Man Rescue Team deployed utilizing DER

Tactics

Domestic Disturbance Call.

V

The Officer is wounded and requires immediate rescue.

V

R1

R2

A DER Team has been approved and deployed.

Vehicle #1 takes the point flanking position.

V

R2

R1

Vehicle #2 takes the rear flanking position.

V

R2

R1

V

A barrier is created with the vehicle’s engine

blocks providing cover.

R1

R2

Safe Zone

V

R1

R2

This creates a temporary Safe

Zone.

V

R1

R2

Rescue Team Members take their positions.

CR

CR

V

R1

R2

CR

CR

Cover Officers provide cover.

V

R1

R2

CR

CR

If a Diversionary Device is available it should be utilized.

V

R1

R2

CR

CR

Rescue Officers perform the

recovery portion of the operation.

R1

R2

C

C

V

RR

The victim is removed to the

appropriate Rescue Vehicle.

R2

C

C

V

RR

Once the victim is secured the Team

can begin the evacuation procedure.R1

R

R1

R2

CR

CR

Rescuers will bang on the vehicle’s

roof letting their teammates know

that they are ready for

evacuation.

Bang! Bang!

Bang! Bang!

When all members are accounted for, the vehicles

can evacuate the area.

R1

R2

R1

The vehicle without the victim should be the last to leave the area.

R2

R2

The Standard Police Response Officer Down Rescue Operation is finished.

The vehicle formation that is utilized in the Standard Police Response Rescue Operation is simple and flexible enough to

handle an array of rescue situations in this setting.

V

R1

R2

CR

CR

Officer wounded off the roadway.

V

R1

R2

CR

CR

Officer wounded on the roadway.

V

R1

R2

CR

CR

Officer wounded and still inside the Police vehicle.

R2

R1

C

C

R

R

Improvised formation for police vehicle parked in

the driveway.

V

Improvised formation for NO additional vehicle.

V

R2

R1

C

C

R

R

Parameters to Consider!

Suspect Contact and Apprehension

Cover Officers are responsible for suspect apprehension: If a suspect is confronted -

- Stop suspects deadly behavior.

- Take suspect into custody.

Remain in a position of cover, bring the suspect to you.

One Officer should give clear and concise orders to the suspect.

R2

R1

R

R

Cover Officers are engaged in suspect contact while Rescue Officers continue with the rescue operation.

V

C

C

S

Nighttime

Nighttime Dynamic Emergency Rescue

Darkness adds an additional element to be concerned about.

Provides suspect(s) with enhanced concealment.

Visibility is decreased.

Increased responsibilities of Rescue Team Members.

Nighttime Procedures

Utilize all available lighting – Headlights (Bright Mode), Takedown Lights, etc.

All team members must focus on visual scanning during the vehicle approach .

Cover Officers should scan with vehicle’s search light if available.

Team members should have personal flashlights readily available.

Nighttime Approach.

Vehicle is on wrong side of the road as

you approach?

Options Setting up the vehicle formation is the

priority of Rescue Vehicle #1

Regroup and approach from correct direction.

If the setting does NOT allow for this then use an improvised formation.

Drive past the location, turn around, and then perform the rescue operation.

Team Leader should make this decision.

R2

R1

The victim’s vehicle is parked on wrong side of the road as you approach.

V

S

R1

C

R

R2

CR

V

Use an improvised formation set up by Rescue #1.

Rescue Team is threatened by a

rear attack ?

V

CR

CR

Rescue Team is threatened by a rear attack.

R2

R1

S

Options

Move quickly to available cover and engage the threat.

Reposition the rescue vehicles in order to provide adequate cover.

Abort the rescue operation and regroup.

Decision should be made by Team Leader.

Victim cannot be moved ?

Options Victim may have to be moved

under exigent circumstances.

Call for additional support and begin to make preparations for securing the area.

Abort the rescue operation and regroup.

Decision should be made by Team Leader.

Multiple Victims ?

Options

4 Man DER Team with 2 Vehicles has the resources to transport 2 Victims.

One Victim for each vehicle.

If there are more than 2 Victims then additional vehicles may have to be deployed or the area may have to be secured.

Conclusion

Key Factors for a Successful Operation

Be Prepared – Gather as much intelligence as time permits.

Maximum use of Cover.

Numeric Superiority – Show of Force.

Firepower Superiority.

Speed – Surprise – Shock Action.

Accuracy – the operation must not only be fast, it must also be effective.

Safety – Must be a formal part of planning.

We in the Law Enforcement profession tend to confuse Good Luck with Good Tactics, and therefore continue to employ unsound tactics because they have “worked before”. In reality, many of our tactics have worked because of the simple fact that the arrestee choose not to resist arrest or to kill an Officer on the day he confronted him. We must always be open to new ideas and maintain a certain flexibility in our approach to tactical operations, especially when the life of a fellow Officer is counting on our actions.

Officer Down / Citizen Rescue has been presented to you by the Riverhead Police Department’s Training Division.

Instructors: P.O. Bernard J. BobinskiP.O. Christopher MohlRiverhead Police DepartmentTraining Division210 Howell AvenueRiverhead, New York 11901(631) 727-4500

Safe Today

Alive Tomorrow!