the Commandpost Volume 31 Summer/Fall Edition

THE NEWSLETTER FOR NEGOTIATORS, INCIDENT COMMANDERS, SCRIBES AND TACTICAL LEADERS Canadian Critical PROJECT LIFESAVER Incident Inc.

946 Lawrence Ave. E.. “BRINGING LOVED ONES HOME” P.O. Box 47679 person in the program has their own unique Don Mills ON The call came in at 18:30 one August M3C 3S7 night in 2008 – a missing person, an elderly radio frequency and the transmitter emits a Phone: 289-387-3250 signal once every second, twenty-four hours Email: [email protected] woman with Alzheimer’s disease, already www.commandpost.tv gone for over two hours before the call a day. Batteries do require replacement EXECUTIVE was made. It was a situation that could go every 30 to 45 days. President either way – she might be easily located Det. Tom Hart When a caregiver notifies our police Durham Police Service (retired) wandering a few blocks from home…or not. Phone: 289-387-3250 In this case, an exhaustive search ensued, service that a client has gone missing, Email: [email protected] specially trained police officers use Past President involving multiple police agencies, several S/Sgt. Barney McNeilly canine units, a helicopter, as well as a large portable directional antennae to search for Police (retired) and locate the missing person. Phone: 416-274-2345 crowd of volunteers, friends and family, all Vice President united in the task of finding her before it S/Sgt. Lynne Turnbull Some people ask, why radio and not G.P.S. Police Service was too late. Twenty-six hours into the call Phone: 613-236-1222 ext. 2775 she was located in a forested area adjacent or cellular tracking? Executive Manager to a sports field - cold and dehydrated, but Gregory J. Lamport G.P.S. requires an unobstructed view of the Inspector, Strategic and Tactical alive. Services Division sky to operate properly. In fact, anything Waterloo Regional Police Serv. Phone: 519-650-8500 ext. 8395 Although the search was successful, the cost capable of blocking sunlight can potentially ADVISORY BOARD financially to our service, and physically block a G.P.S. signal, so G.P.S. is primarily S/Sgt. Dean Streefkerk and emotionally to everyone involved, was used only outdoors and they often do not perform well within forested areas or near Phone: 519-661-5509 high. S/Sgt. Krista Miller tall buildings. O.P.P. Phone: 705-329-6396 When that search ended, we began another. Cellular tracking still has many drawbacks. Dr. Jean-Guy Gagnon We were searching for that extra “tool” to Forensic Psychiatrist have at our disposal, in case an incident Remember, these systems operate over the 705-669-9881 cellular networks. You can have problems Dr. Peter Collins like this ever took place again. In 2009, we Forensic Psychiatrist found it in the form of Project Lifesaver. with system failure, dropped calls or the O.P.P. Duty Desk system is just too busy. 705-329-6950

Dr. Mini Mamak Project Lifesaver originated in Virginia Forensic Psychologist in 1999 as a response to an increase in The rugged FM radio transmitter has the 416-230-2612 proven ability to transmit through obstacles, Dr. Jim Cairns missing persons who had wandered due to Deputy Regional Coroner (Ret) including concrete, buildings and heavy 416-706-1286 Alzheimer’s or other cognitive impairments. There are now over 1,200 participating forest. Think about anytime you have pulled ASSOCIATES & PROV. REPS into a parking garage, your G.P.S. loses its Wendy Thompson agencies across the U.S., Canada, and Scribe Liaison Australia. These agencies have performed signal, but your FM radio continues to work. 519-767-0805 2,520 searches in the last 13 years with no S/Sgt. Lindsay Herndel To become certified as “Electronic Search Halifax Police Service serious injuries or fatalities ever reported. Specialists”, our members underwent Email: [email protected] two days of training, including classroom Peter Degan Corrections Participants of the program wear a bracelet lectures and hands-on field instruction. 905-548-5005 that is a battery operated transmitter. Each ...cont. on page 4 Volume 31 – Summer/Fall 2012 1 President’s Message I hope everyone had a safe and fun summer. The weather has been great and you can’t beat Ontario in the summer. I have experienced my first summer as a retired person. For me retirement is somewhat misleading. I left Durham Regional Police Service on March 31, 2012 and immediately started my transition into the role of President of the Canadian Critical Incident Inc. It has been a learning experience for me, but with Barney’s unconditional support as Past President he has made himself available for numerous emails and phone calls, along with the occasional breakfast or late lunch. The sharing of his time and wisdom is greatly appreciated. Barney will be remaining as the Past President as he still holds a keen interest in the business. I want to thank the Executive Members and the Advisory Board. I want to personally thank the Advisory Board members who continue to support CCII over the years. I am excited to announce the two recent additions to the CCII team; they are Greg Lamport Waterloo Regional Police Inspector, Strategic and Tactical Services Division and Dean Streefkerk S/Sgt. London Police Service Emergency Support Section. They have an incredible amount of knowledge, experience and leadership in tactical operations. You can read more about them in this newsletter. The CCII Executive and Advisory Board are comprised of experts in tactical operations, leadership, forensic psychologist and forensic psychiatrist. This dynamic, experienced and diverse group of professionals brings an extraordinary wealth of knowledge to CCII and its members. The Executive and Advisory Board members are a true reflection of the commitment CCII has to holding the highest standards in education and training it delivers. CCII recognizes the need to deliver current, accredited and court defendable courses in Crisis Negotiation, Incident Command and Incident Command Scribe. This is why there are ongoing enhancements to the course material to continue to deliver the highest standards by experts in the area of tactical command and crisis negotiations. This year the CCII Fall Conference will be held on October 29, 30 and 31, 2012 at the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford. There will be a Registration and a hospitality suit held on Sunday October 28, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. It will be co-hosted by the Stratford Police Service. They did an amazing job last year and I am excited about building on last year’s success. The theme this year will be Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It will be discussed at different levels, as it relates to crisis negotiations and the unique tactical and command challenges it presents. Tactical members, crisis negotiators, incident commanders and first responders are at a higher risk to PTSD. Understanding PTSD, earlier detection, coping and treating can reduce PTSD and enhance the member’s health. Sgt. Gerry Foster of the Stratford Police Service and I are working on the agenda and we are excited with the list of dynamic guest speakers so far. We are happy to announce that the registration cost will remain the same as last year! One of my priorities was to personally introduce myself to the dedicated members, by either in person or by email. I have had the opportunity to meet many and I am looking forward to personally meeting everyone soon. Canadian Critical Incident Inc. has a new logo with the very resourceful and talented help of our Media Design Manager. The digital lines represent a call and the caption “make the call count” reflects the company’s mission, vision and values. It relates to the need for ongoing current and accredited education in the area of Incident Command, Crisis Negotiation, Tactical Scribe courses and equipment to make the call count. I welcome Ryan Kent as our Media Designer Manager. He is the president of Interpased and has been updating the web site as needed. He is working on enhancements to the site to allow a simple and cleaner way of getting the necessary information and exchanging information in a safe and reliable way. Please email me any feedback or comments you may have about the website. Thank you, take care and be safe. Tom Hart President

Mission Statement Objectives timely manner. • To provide effective working relationships Dedicated to the promotion of Officer and • To provide meaningful, educational, and information sharing by providing public safety by bringing together services relevant opportunities for participating opportunities for meetings on a regular and agencies to form effective relationships, members to meet together and address basis with a Canada-wide structure broken identify trends, address issues, share issues of mutual concern, seeking into Provincial Chapters. information, experiences and knowledge, opportunities for continual improvement. • To ensure that major trends and issues and provide educational opportunities for • To promote public safety by ensuring regarding safety and knowledge are participants, thereby inherently building the that all Services are following the best identified, discussed and acted in a public’s confidence in our ability to provide practices and procedures and that relevant coordinated manner including a tri-annual a service. information goes to individual Services in a news publication. 2 The Command Post THE LURE OF

People come from all over the world to see the beauty of Niagara Falls, some 14 million visitors a year. Others come for a different reason – to commit suicide. Statistics show that in the past 166 years, 3100 people have committed suicide at Niagara Falls. This translates to approximately 20-25 a year. Niagara Falls is thought to be the number one location in the world for the total number of suicides and a leader each year in for its location. I am a Crisis Negotiator with the Niagara Regional Service, one of a six member team and a 28 year Gorge, which is 188 feet deep. The for a long time). He had no pain veteran to policing as a Detective male was standing on a small patch medication and had no place to live. of grass, which was 15 feet wide and Sergeant. Recently, I have had to It was evident from my training deal with more face to face style he was standing 12 feet from the railing. and experience that the male of negotiations with Emotionally was exhibiting “Expressive Disturbed Persons (EDP), which is Negotiators were briefed by A/ Characteristics”. My tactics a twist from my training some years Sgt. Giannico, who had begun included buying time, projecting ago at the Canadian Police College. negotiations with the male along with understanding, be non-judgmental During that training, it was stressed another uniform officer. Information and non-threatening to the male. I that face to face negotiation was not was received that the male was talked to him to lower his emotions a preferred method when dealing upset and emotional, stating that he and to encourage him return with a subject. I believe that I am wanted to end his life. Threatening to to rational thinking. Through a seeing a trend in Niagara, as four of jump, the male subject had placed continued dialogue, I was able to my last eight callouts have been of his wallet on the railing, for police build his trust and rapport, in a non- face to face type of negotiation. to retrieve in the event he jumped to violent problem solving model. I On Monday May 14, 2012 I was at his death. did this by breaking down each of home on my day off, when I was his problems one at a time. It was I was designated as the Primary evident that he was overwhelmed paged at 11:10 pm to attend to a Negotiator, with D/ Sgt. Kraushar suicidal male that was threatening which drove him to believe suicide being my Secondary. We moved was his only option. to jump at Niagara Falls. As I live in slowly into the “Police Taped” area the city, I was at the scene within 30 and were introduced to the subject I spoke to him regarding housing minutes. I was met there by fellow by A/ Sgt. Giannico. I struck up a and stated that the police and negotiator D/ Sgt. Scott Kraushar. conversation with the male, who social agencies could assist him. I Onscene were Uniform Officers with wanted to end his life due to the explained that police could take him The Niagara Regional Police Service, amount of stress he was under. I to the hospital to have him assessed including the Patrol Sergeant and learned that the male had recently and acquire pain medications. I Duty Inspector. Also onscene were separated from his common-law reminded him that his two young the Niagara Parks Police, with their wife, with whom he had two young boys would miss their dad. I stressed High Rescue Team and Paramedics. children. The male had difficulty in he should fight for his rights in family Negotiations had begun with a 40 accepting the separation and missed court and be there to take his boys year old male who had climbed his children. He was unemployed fishing and watch them grow in life. over the retaining wall at Niagara and was having financial issues. He My secondary kept me on track, Falls. The wall is a barrier to protect had also been suffering from chronic reminding me of critical hooks I people from falling into the Niagara pain as a result of a workplace should use and triggers, (such as injury, (being on pain medications ...cont. on page 6 Volume 31 – Summer/Fall 2012 3 PROJECT LIFESAVER “BRINGING LOVED ONES HOME”... (Cont.)

...cont. from page 1 Initially, the Tactical Response Unit notified the police. Shifts that were Lifesaver Wellington: was trained, with several members to be going off duty were held over, vswguelph.on.ca and click on “Our being certified as Instructors. They officers were called out, the media Services” then trained additional members was notified and all our resources from the Uniform branch. were put into play to locate this Written by Cst. Gord Woods and male. Three and a half hours later, Tammy Smits All searches begin with the Officers he is found. He required medical attending at the point where the treatment, but was alright. missing person was last seen. They Biographies use a handheld directional antenna This scenario had the potential to st Gord Woods started with the attached to the receiver and slowly end very differently and realizing C Owen Sound Police Service in 1983. turn in a 360 degree circle in an this, his family enrolled him in He moved to the Guelph Police attempt to pick up a signal. If a Project Lifesaver Guelph Wellington Service in 1999, and has served in signal is located, officers proceed and a Personal Locator Unit (PLU) the Uniform, Traffic and Detective in that direction, always scanning was placed on his wrist. branches. He is currently the Guelph and adjusting the range switch on Police Service’s Project Lifesaver On an even colder night in January the receiver until the missing person Co-ordinator, and is responsible 2012, the same gentleman went is located. If, at the point last seen, for liaising with Victim Services a signal is not detected, then the missing again. This time, we had the Wellington regarding program officer will attach the receiver to advantage. He had only been gone administrative matters; ensuring an omni-directional antenna that for two hours and, he was wearing all participant data is complete is mounted on the roof of a police his PLU. and accurate for both police vehicle, and begin driving an ever From the time Officers arrived at the administrative and search purposes; servicing equipment and training expanding grid search pattern until point where he was last seen, until a signal is acquired, at which time, Search Specialists as required, and the time he was safely located, was liaising with participants and their they will exit the vehicle with the 15 minutes. handheld directional antenna, and families. locate the person. The difference in the financial costs to our service for officer’s Being able to search for and locate a salaries between the November and ammy Smits has a BA in Honours missing person is only one small part January incidents is significant. In T Psychology and Applied Studies, of what Project Lifesaver is all about. November, the approximate cost and is a Certified Administrative We were very fortunate to be joined was over $4,000.00, in January, in this endeavour by the members of Professional. She has been with the under $400.00. The difference both since 1999 Victim Services Wellington and the physically and emotionally, can in a variety of civilian support roles Wellington Detachment of the O.P.P. never be measured. including CPIC, Transcription and Together we have become Project most recently the Administrative Is Project Lifesaver a worthwhile Lifesaver Guelph Wellington. Assistant supporting the Inspectors program to be involved with? In of both Neighbourhood and With a Board in place and volunteers our opinion, yes. It has proven itself to help, Victim Services took the Neighbourhood Support Services. to save time, resources and most Tammy has been involved with lead and are responsible for the importantly, lives. Project Lifesaver Guelph-Wellington administration and coordination of The motto of Project Lifesaver since its inception and played a large the program. They act as a liaison for role in bringing the various agencies International is “Bringing Loved families, perform the essential battery together that eventually formed this Ones Home”. changes, manage the documentation chapter. and administer funds for Project At the end of the day, is there Lifesaver Guelph Wellington. anything better than knowing that Fast-forward from that August night you have done just that? in 2008 to a cold day in November For more information on Project 2011. An elderly male suffering Lifesaver International: www. from Alzheimer’s had been missing projectlifesaver.org for four hours before his family For more information. on Project 4 The Command Post OPP GRASSY NARROW CALL OUT February 2012 - Cst. Adam Nash

When my Staff Sergeant asked During the training and scenarios one situation where it was believed me to write an article outlining with the OPP, I found a number the subject had run into the forest the differences between being a of differences—both major and with a firearm. (It turned out that the municipal and provincial negotiator minor—as compared to my male was still in his farmhouse and and my experiences during my first experiences with the municipal he peacefully surrendered without Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) negotiator team. For one thing, the Negotiator intervention.) All other negotiator call out, I was a little OPP negotiator equipment has to incidents in which I participated apprehensive. I have never written be extremely mobile so that it can occurred in the city. be transported anywhere in West an article for any kind of publication On February 17, 2012, at 0300 hrs, region (or Ontario, for that matter), before, so bear with me. I was contacted by our team leader. as I was quickly to find out. Our I was instructed to be at the London I started my career as a police negotiator cell could be the police airport for 0500 hrs, as we were flying constable with the London Police cruiser, command centre, Tactics to Grassy Narrow for a barricaded Service and was selected as a and Rescue Unit (TRU) van, or the male armed with a knife. Groggy, negotiator in 2004. London, Ontario TRU armoured car, depending on still half asleep, I did not ask any is a city that is large enough to keep what the situation called for. Our further questions; I simply got up and a negotiator team experienced and communications are non-encrypted went to my laptop. I keyed “Grassy current, and as a result I was able and sometimes we are relegated Narrow” into a Google search and to take part in many calls over the to using cell phones and/or text was surprised to find that the reserve years. To this day, I find being a messages to communicate with was located about an hour and a crisis negotiator both challenging our team members. In London, we half north of Kenora, Ontario. I also and rewarding. had a Sprinter Van with all of our briefly scanned over some of the top equipment set up inside. It was ready In May 2011, I was hired by the news stories of the past few decades to be deployed anywhere in the city. OPP and posted to the relating to the area and found that We had quick connect features on Detachment. During my direct an OPP Sgt was shot and killed on the side of the van where we easily hire training in Orillia, Ontario, the reserve in 1991. I also learned linked up with any of the Emergency I approached the Staff Sgt of the that the reserve has been devastated Response Section (ERS) London Provincial Negotiator Team and by the river being contaminated by equipment. There was ample cover provided her with my C. V. I was mercury from the nearby paper mill. in the city, therefore our van worked hopeful that I could continue as a This has strained relations in terms of for us. It was always a separate negotiator with the OPP, so you can the community’s interaction with the negotiator cell that would be set up imagine my excitement when I was police and government. I wished I in close proximity to the command advised in November of that same had more time to research, but I had centre, and communication back year that there was an opening on the to go. and forth was by encrypted radio. West region team and that they were This was the benefit of being in a looking at me to fill the position. I I met up with one of my teammates smaller, more contained area, such attended the West region training around 0400 hrs at the Elgin as a city. days and shortly thereafter became a Detachment and we set off for the London airport, grabbing some member of the team. I was provided Potential conflict locations for the much needed coffee on the way. a cell phone and patiently (well, OPP also dictate a difference in My teammate advised he had never eagerly) waited for my first call out. the type of gear needed. The OPP been flown anywhere in the 12 or provided me with some equipment so years that he has been on the that I never had to wear in the city— team. We were both excited about green and white camouflage gear. the opportunity. We arrived at the Due to the vast areas of bush and London airport and met up with forest, it was likely that we would a third negotiator. Shortly after, a be called upon to “go to ground” large contingent of TRU members with TRU/ERT and negotiate in a rolled in. There were two small twin forest, the bush, a cornfield, and so engine planes waiting for us on the on. This reaffirmed to me that our tarmac. The TRU team started to communication equipment had to load their gear be portable. In London, I only had ...cont. on page 7 Volume 31 – Summer/Fall 2012 5 THE LURE OF NIAGARA FALLS... (Cont.)

...cont. from page 3 staying away from the subject of his up to his relevant issues. Tactical Team. wife). I continued on these same This negotiation was challenging In 2008, he became a member to points over and over again, breaking due to the noise from Niagara Falls in the six-person negotiator team with down each of his problems until he the background making conversing the Niagara Regional Police Service. agreed with me. I asked him to take with the male difficult. Due to good He has been involved in a number of himself back to past difficulties and training and a team approach, this high-risk situations and has attended use the same strategies that worked incident ended successfully for all a number of negotiator conferences then, to solve them now. It was involved. in Canada and the . evident that I was making an impact on the male and getting him back to Submitted by D/ Sgt. Wayne He is presently assigned to the a rational state. Genders Central Region Detective Office as a Central Region Criminal Detective Sergeant. After 26 minutes of negotiations, the Investigation Branch male agreed with me that the decision Niagara Regional Police Service to end his life was not a reasonable one and he climbed back over the Biography railing to police. He was taken into custody, while I walked and talked Wayne Genders is a 28-year veteran to him. He was transported to the of the Niagara Regional Police Niagara Falls hospital where he was Service. He has a varied background admitted for treatment. He was also with assignments in Uniform Patrol, referred to social agencies for follow- Criminal Investigations and the

WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE, INSPECTOR GREG LAMPORT JOINS CANADIAN CRITICAL INCIDENT INC. Critical Incident Inc. and the has led to his expertise being membership will benefit greatly requested for instructional purposes having this exciting addition to the at the Canadian Police College and team. Ontario Police College. In 2011 he travelled to Indonesia where Biography he taught Incident Command to Inspector Greg Lamport has been members of the Indonesian National a police officer with the Waterloo Police Service. Regional Police Service for 24 Greg spent 15 years volunteering years. His career has spanned many with Waterloo Minor Hockey facets of policing including; Patrol, coaching competitive boy’s hockey Detectives, Human Resources, teams. He stepped down from Special Response, Planning and coaching in September of 2010 to Research and Media Relations. He anadian Critical Incident Inc. is focus on obtaining his Bachelor of C is presently assigned as the second delighted to have Inspector Greg Arts Degree in Justice Studies from in command of the Strategic and Lamport join the team. He has kindly the Humber. Tactical Services Division. This accepted the position of Executive Greg is presently on the Board of Division encompasses the Drug Manager. Directors for Women’s Crisis Services Branch, Intelligence Branch and Greg brings a great deal of knowledge, of Waterloo Region. Special Response Branch. leadership and experience in the Greg has had a longstanding interest area of Crisis Negotiations and Greg has 14 years of experience in in the CCII program since first Incident Command. specialized policing areas such as meeting Barney McNeilly many He has an outstanding reputation canine, explosive disposal, public years ago and is looking forward to throughout the policing community order, tactical operations and working with the many excellent and is a proven leader. The Canadian incident command. This experience partners of the agency.

6 The Command Post OPP GRASSY NARROW CALL OUT... (Cont.)

...cont. from page 5 (weighing thousands of pounds) Three Police. Cold and tired, he surrounded by trees with wilderness onto the planes. They had also was operating on pure adrenalin. stretching for miles and miles. The brought our equipment, and we He advised that the subject was not area is a picture you would see in a were advised that another smaller going to take kindly to Caucasian magazine. third plane was on its way to negotiators. He believed that transport us (the negotiators) and our he could continue on and, given equipment. The TRU team took off his assessment of the subject, en route for to refuel we thought this was the sensible before continuing on to Kenora. option. The other two negotiators Shortly after this, our single engine left and went home for some well plane arrived. The three of us loaded deserved sleep. It was decided that our equipment on and boarded the if the remaining (primary) negotiator plane. My teammate asked, “Did needed to switch off to another you ever do this in London?” My negotiator we would then step in. answer was obviously no. I tried to The negotiator equipment was sitting Having reached a satisfying get some sleep on the three hour on the passenger seat of a fully outcome, we helped pack up the plane ride to Kenora, but I was too marked Treaty Three police Chevy equipment and were transported excited. 1500 pickup truck. It was cold out, back to Treaty Three Detachment but the primary negotiator did not where we awaited news of whether At approximately 1200 hrs, we want to get into the warm truck. He a plane was available to fly us home arrived in Kenora where a school continued to loudly hail the subject. that night or in the morning. At bus was waiting to take us to Grassy It was believed the subject was 1800 hrs, we received word that Narrow. We arrived ahead of the TRU sleeping. A throw phone was placed there was a plane available to fly us team and waited until they arrived, onto the stairs leading into his trailer/ home that evening. We made the then we loaded our equipment onto mobile home. trek back to Kenora on the school the bus and departed for Grassy bus and by 2100 hrs we were on a Narrow. There is only one road to The subject eventually awoke and plane back to London. I returned Grassy Narrow, and it is indeed after hearing the calls from the to my detachment at 0200 hrs–23 narrow and full of curves. An hour negotiator to grab the phone from the hours later. later, we arrived at the Treaty Three stairs, he agreed to do so. The primary Detachment that serves the Grassy spoke to him on and off the phone. Thinking back to being on the Narrow reserve. Treaty Three is an At times during the conversation we London negotiator team, the biggest old OPP detachment, looking very thought we were getting somewhere, difference between municipal and similar to all the other detachments only to be let down when the subject OPP negotiating teams is the sheer in the province. Kenora OPP and would go into a rage and hang up scope of the geography of Ontario, Treaty Three officers then transported the phone. It became clear that he the vast areas that OPP cover, us to the command post that was set was not going anywhere as long as including First Nations reserves. A up just outside the village of Grassy he was comfortable in his home municipal team can be on scene Narrow. We were briefed that and had enough to eat; and so, at within minutes of an incident. OPP the actual occurrence had started approximately 1500 hrs, TRU made teams can take hours to get to an around 16 hours prior to our arrival. the decision to enter the trailer. The incident. Also, there are different A team of negotiators had been subject made no attempt to resist and situations to consider. To effectively attempting to communicate with the was taken peacefully into custody. negotiate with certain cultures, barricaded man all night. We found you really need to know about At this time I had a chance to have out there was no phone line into the their history and beliefs. Shortly a look around the small reserve. residence. after this event, I was sent to OPP I observed a large number of Native awareness training. We Another negotiator and I were tasked dilapidated buildings, trailers, and were able to participate in First with relieving the team already at shacks; there was refuse everywhere. Nations ceremonies and learn about the scene. We were escorted by Stray dogs numbering in the hundreds native beliefs and history, including Emergency Response Team (ERT) roamed about looking for food. residential schools. It is one of the members, and once on scene I met However, the area itself was quite best courses I have been on, creating the primary negotiator from Treaty beautiful. The village is on a river in me a deeper understanding and ...cont. on page 9 Volume 31 – Summer/Fall 2012 7 CCII FALL ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Arden Park Hotel Stratford, Ontario October 29, 30, 31, 2012

co-hosted by the Stratford Police Service

Registration and hospitality suite held on Sunday October 28, 2012 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Registration Fee: Members $310.75 (incl. HST) Non-Members $367.25 (incl. HST)

Please register on-line at: www.commandpost.tv/conferences

Upcoming Courses

Thunder Bay Police Services are Niagara Regional Police Service in considering hosting an Incident considering hosting an Incident Commanders refresher course. Commanders Scribe course this fall. The date is tentatively set for October 22 ’12. Department of National Defence, Military Police Unit at Base Borden have expressed an interest in the Durham Regional Police Service Incident Commanders Course. They is considering hosting a Crisis recently went through a change Negotiators refresher course this fall. of command and more details will follow.

8 The Command Post WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE MAJOR INCIDENT COMMANDER WORKSHOP

I had the pleasure of attending The photograph is members of the the Major Incident Commander S/Sgt. Stu Bets of the York Regional WRPS Emergency Response Unit, Workshop, on the 9th of May 2012, Police Services Air Support Unit from left; Cst. Brent Gerber, S/Sgt. hosted by the Waterloo Regional attended with their helicopter “Air Dave Obermeyer, Sgt. Rob Sauve Police Service (WRPS), Emergency 2”. This provided a great opportunity and Cst. Chris Ebel Response Unit. The workshop was for the attendees to check out the helicopter’s airborne surveillance The WRPS Emergency Response their annual Incident Commander Unit has 17 members and all are Refresher Training Workshop, which and advanced thermal imaging system. qualified crisis negotiators. Last was held at the Waterloo Region year the Emergency Response Unit Emergency Services Training and I want to thank Greg and Dave for responded to 129 calls. The majority Research Complex (WRESTRC). This inviting me to attend their Incident of their calls consisted of high-risk modern complex is an excellent Commander Workshop. It was a warrant entries, barricaded persons training facility for both academic great opportunity for me to meet and searches for lost persons or and practical training for all police, the members of their Emergency evidence. fire and paramedic services. Response Unit and the Tactical Det. Tom Hart This year the WRPS opened it up Commanders from the surrounding area. Durham Police Service (retired) and invited Incident Commanders President CCII from their neighbouring police The Canadian Critical Incident Inc. agencies that they have shared recognizes service agreements with. Those the need and police services included; the value Police Service, Stratford Police of ongoing Service, Woodstock Police Service training. and Guelph Police Service. Workshops Inspector Greg Lamport and S/ like this are Sgt. Dave Obermeyer provided an a meaningful Incident Command review. Members and first- of the Emergency Response Unit rate example provided updates and reviews of sharing relating to Comprehensive Ground knowledge, Searches, Canine Unit, Explosive experience Disposal Unit and the Parrot AR and recourses. Drone.

OPP GRASSY NARROW CALL OUT... (Cont.) ...cont. from page 7 appreciation for our First Nation that I am able to respond effectively Biography Peoples, and different cultures in to the needs of any community I’m Constable Adam Nash started his general. I recommend this course fortunate enough to serve. policing career in 1998 with the London to any frontline police officer, Provincial Constable Adam Nash Police Service. In 2004 Constable whether you are policing the Adam Nash was selected for the Crisis reserves or working with large First Negotiator Unit and spent the next 7 Nations populations living in cities. years as a negotiator for the LPS. During Regardless of whether you are a his career with LPS he spent time in the provincial or municipal negotiator, Robbery, and Auto theft/Arson Units the rewards of the job are the same— as a Detective Constable. In 2011 rich and endless. It is a challenging Constable Nash left the LPS and started position, and will develop you in his career with the Ontario Provincial ways you simply can’t anticipate. I Police and the Provincial Negotiator hope that the experiences that I have Unit. Constable Nash is currently working as a patrol Constable with Elgin obtained from both postings ensure County OPP. Volume 31 – Summer/Fall 2012 9 SECURING CANADA’S LARGEST NUCLEAR POWER FACILITY

Sitting on the shores of beautiful in a single day, it went from a classified material, procedures in South Western relatively benign group of unarmed for entry into sensitive areas now Ontario Bruce Power with its six protesters to a number of armed included an alarm free passage of a operating nuclear reactors is the and committed individual’s intent series of explosive detectors, metal largest nuclear power generation on doing us harm or acquiring detectors, x ray machines, and facility in Canada. With the eminent nuclear material. The events of biometric identification devices. completion of one of Canada’s that day prompted a total rethink Other changes included enhanced most ambitious and technically of our security requirements and screening and vetting procedures complicated infrastructure the initiation of a period of rapid involving background, police, and rehabilitation programs it is poised and continuous expansion and security checks, for all employees to become the largest facility of its improvement of our facilities, and contractors working on site. equipment and personnel. kind in the world providing more Upgrades to the physical protection than 25% of Ontario’s energy In the immediate aftermath of the of sensitive areas included the requirements. With such notoriety 9/11, attacks the Canadian Nuclear installation of new state of the art and importance comes the heavy Safety Commission ordered us delay, detection, and assessment, responsibility of protecting the to initiate a number of interim equipment. New vehicle barriers generating units, and the thousands security enhancements while they provided protection against forced of people charged with operating completed a comprehensive review vehicle penetration. However the them safely as well as preventing of Canada’s Nuclear Security most notable and obvious change unauthorized access to radioactive material. That duty falls primarily on the very capable shoulders of the young men and women of the Emergency and Protective Services Security Division Nuclear Response Team. Everything in the nuclear security world changed on September 11, 2001. That morning started out the same as any other for Bruce Power’s small, unarmed security force. The three site entry points were wide open and the single unarmed officer staffing each location as usual tried to get the employees to slow down as they breezed past the guard post. In those days, all that was required to gain admittance to the site was a windshield decal Regulations. These interim measures was the establishment of a large and it was relatively common to entailed severely restricting access heavily armed Nuclear Response find vehicles for sale on local used to the facility, identity checks, Team. car lots with the decals still in and vehicle searches for anyone place. The mandate for security at entering the site. Gone also were The Nuclear Response Team that time was to “Observe, record, the days of daily public tours of resulted from the new regulatory report” and wait for response from the powerhouse. The next five requirement for nuclear utilities to the local detachment of the OPP, years was a time of hectic activity deploy an “Armed force capable of which was considered effective if resulting in a fundamental change immediate and effective response” it arrived at the front gate within in our security capabilities and to an armed adversary. At the 17 minutes. Although we cannot posture designed specifically to time of 9/11, Bruce Power was discuss the actual “Design Basis deal with the new security realities just 4 months old but already had Threat”, it is safe to say that post 9/11. Without getting into ...cont. on page 11 10 The Command Post SECURING CANADA’S LARGEST NUCLEAR POWER FACILITY ... (Cont.)

...cont. from page 10 a reputation for dynamism and As noted earlier the establishment innovation. It quickly became of a heavily armed highly apparent that if we were to meet trained Nuclear Response Team this regulatory requirement we at Bruce Power was at the time could not rely on an external unprecedented in Canada and response force. It was also clear that all involved were very cognisant conventional private security even of the need to do it right the if armed under the existing laws first time. Program recognition was not capable of meeting the and credibility within the Police new requirements. Consultations team had recently conducted a community and particularly with with senior representatives of the threat and risk assessment on Bruce our offsite response force the Ontario Provincial Police, the force Power. This in conjunction with his OPP TRU was very important. of jurisdiction, soon established background as the commander of Recruiting, selection, and training that the new force was not a good the TRU team assigned as primary of NRT officers is a very serious fit for either the standard or tactical response to the site, gave him a function and typically, we process police operations models. At the current and intimate knowledge many hundred applications over end of the day, it was recognized of our site as well as the issues a 4-6 month period in order to that the Nuclear Response Team involved in securing a site such staff a 12-week basic training officers were a new form of heavily as ours against armed intruders,. course with 15-20 candidates. armed highly trained corporate In addition, his role in the Selection standards for NRT are security officers combining many development of Course Training the same and in some instances of the skills and abilities associated Standards and training manual for higher than for police officers in with police tactical teams or the the TRU team as well as instructing Ontario. NRT basic training is military while not fitting well into on all phases of TRU training gave both comprehensive and rigorous. either category. However creating him a sound understanding into and In the initial 12 weeks, each officer such a force as this in a non- the requirements to recruit, test, receives extensive training on their governmental private corporation train, and deploy a highly skilled legal authorities and limits, the was and still is a unique situation and professional armed response use of force continuum, firearms within Canada and was not at all team. He also had the respect in handling, tactics, and public order easy to accomplish. The eventual the police tactical community and unit drills. In addition, each officer solution was to make our officers professional contacts so necessary receives an additional 5 weeks of “Public Agents” of the Canadian to succeed in the role. Wade hit individual and team maintenance Nuclear Safety Commission under the ground running, his first task training per year and must re- the Federal Firearms Act. This was to recruit, train, and deploy qualify on their firearms and fitness process in turn involved the officers the armed response force and by standards twice a year. We also meeting or in some cases exceeding April of 2003, we deployed our routinely send officers on advanced the physical, psychological, and first armed officers. ...cont. on page 12 training requirements for a standard police service. Once the basic requirements for the force were established, it became clear that that success in this mission would require a leader with a skill set not readily found in the civilian market. Once again, Bruce power approached the OPP for assistance. Bruce Power management was aware of Inspector Wade Lacroix through his position as the OPP Emergency Response Coordinator for South Western Ontario as he and his Volume 31 – Summer/Fall 2012 11 SECURING CANADA’S LARGEST NUCLEAR POWER FACILITY ... (Cont.)

...cont. from page 10 training with the Canadian Nuclear of Directors. To date the Bruce be reckoned with in the future” Safety Commission, the United Power security management team steady improvement over the next States Department of Energy, and have prepared and delivered four several years has resulted in our the OPP, including TRU. Initially “Best Practice” guidelines to WINS team winning the competition for Wade reached out to his contacts on the following subjects: Effective the last four years in a row. In in the OPP and Ontario Police Management and Deployment 2006, we looked for a competition College to establish a highly of Armed Guard Forces, Nuclear more in line with our role of professional and respected training Security Guard Recruitment and protecting nuclear material and cadre to develop and deliver the Selection, Working Effectively facilities and entered the United initial curriculum. In addition, with External Response Forces, States Department of Energy (DOE) they mentored our internal training Nuclear Security Guard Force Security Protection Officer Team staff preparing for the day when Training and Motivation. We are Competition (SPOTC). we would be self-sufficient. Today also participating members in a we not only train our own staff number of Canadian professional This competition consists of but officers from other Canadian organizations such as the Canadian two categories; the DOE teams facilities as well. Critical Incident Inc. (CCII), compete together as one of their Ontario Tactical Advisory Body competitions involves knowledge Over the past 10 years, Bruce Power (OTAB), and both the Ontario and of sensitive material, and the non- Security Division and the Nuclear Canadian Association of Chiefs of DOE competition open to other Response Team have gained a Police. Recognizing early on that Police SWAT and Military teams. solid reputation for professional training without validation cannot Since 2006, Bruce Power has won competency and innovative be effective Bruce Power actively its category every year defeating excellence throughout the nuclear seeks opportunities to test its teams from the US Department of industry worldwide. Bruce Power NRT in national and international Energy Office of Strategic Transport, was one of the early members of the competitions to very good effect. The US Marine corps Close World Institute of Nuclear Security Placing fifth out of 17 teams in its Quarters Battle Team, Germany’s (WINS) which currently consists initial appearance on the world GSG 9, Dallas, and LAPD SWAT. of more than 1100 members from stage at the 2005 Original SWAT What is important to note is that our 62 countries in addition our CEO World Challenge Bruce Power was force compliment is much smaller Duncan Hawthorn sits on its Board noted prophetically as “A team to than most of our competitors and the competition team is not a full time entity. The team members are all volunteers and form as required for the various competitions and when finished, the members return to normal duties. Given the operational experience of the past ten years the Bruce Power Emergency and Protective Services and the Nuclear Response Team look forward with confidence to meeting the challenges in the post 9/11 era. C.C.I.I. Website Please visit our new website at www.commandpost.tv for upcoming courses and conference registration. 12 The Command Post STAFF SERGEANT DEAN STREEFKERK M.B. LONDON POLICE SERVICE

The deployment of armored vehicles, anadian Critical Incident Inc. is 400,000 residents within a 165 C The exchange of gunfire with very pleased to have Staff Sergeant square mile area in London, Ontario. barricaded subjects during officer Dean Streefkerk of the London During his career S/Sgt. Streefkerk rescue situations, Police Service join our team. He has has spent a combined 12 years The suppression of random sniper generously accepted a position on within the Emergency Response activity in a residential area, the Advisory Board. Unit, during which he has carried The response to an active killer Dean brings an incredible amount of out duties as a Tactical - Officer, incident, operational experience, knowledge Sergeant, and Section Commander. The authorized and directed use of and leadership in the area of He has also served within the lethal force in order to resolve an Crisis Negotiations and Incident Criminal Investigation Division as ongoing incident, Command. the Commander of the Guns and Multiple “In-Custody” (self inflicted) His extraordinary operational Drug Section. death investigations, tactical experience has earned him The aftermath and long term effects of a remarkable reputation throughout S/Sgt. Streefkerk received his Basic PTSD within a Tactical Team the policing community as a trainer Tactical Orientation training through and leader. The Canadian Critical the (ETF During his time as a tactical officer, Incident Inc. and the membership - 1999) and Incident Command he has had numerous dealings will benefit greatly having this training from the Canadian Police with the S.I.U. as both a witness exciting addition to the team. College-1999, and the Canadian Critical Incident Inc. (CCII)- 2004, and subject officer and has been 2010, 2011. He has also taken involved with multiple Coroner’s various Incident Command training Inquests including the first TASER courses from; National Tactical related Inquest held in Canada. Officers Association (NTOA)-2002, S/Sgt. Streefkerk is a strong advocate 2006, Tactical Energetic Entry for the development of professional Systems (TEES) -2005, and the Justice partnerships within the policing Institute of (JIBC) community to facilitate the sharing 2010- ICS 100, 200, 300. He has of resources, case studies, tactics, lectured at annual conferences and and information within these quarterly meetings hosted by the fraternal organizations, with a Canadian Critical Incident goal of achieving greater levels of Inc. (CCII)-2010, Ontario Tactical awareness, consistency, safety, and Advisory Board (OTAB)-2001, operational success. Biography 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, NTOA- S/Sgt. Streefkerk is the recipient of: 2002. He has contributed several Staff Sergeant Streefkerk is in his operational debrief articles to the Canadian Medal of Bravery, 24th year of sworn service with CCII “Command Post” and is a long Ontario Medal for Police Bravery, the London Police. He is presently time member of the CCII, OTAB and London Police Service Citation for assigned to the Emergency Support the NTOA. Valor Section which includes the N.T.O.A. Unit Citation for Valor, Emergency Response Unit, Canine During his career S/Sgt. Streefkerk Unit and Light Armored Vehicles has been involved in hundreds of He can be reached at: operational tactical deployments, Unit. His is also active in ongoing Dean Streefkerk M.B. during which he has served as the in-house training with respect to; Staff Sergeant, Tactical Commander, either on Incident Command, Operational Emergency Support Section, ground and or in the Command Post. Planning and Crisis Negotiating. Patrol Operations Branch, These calls have involved; Uniformed Division, The London Police Emergency Prolonged operational deployments, London Police Service. Response Unit is an accredited full The use of Crisis Negotiators and W- 519 661 5509 time Hostage Rescue Tactical Team, Psychiatrists, BB- 519 617 2574 which along with over 600 sworn The delivery of chemical munitions, LPS officers, serves approximately Volume 31 – Summer/Fall 2012 13 Global Reach™ Wireless Global Reach™ Wireless Hailer Throw Phone/Communicator

The world's first wireless U.S. Patent Throw Phone with U.S. Pending Patent Communicator capability Pending that features a virtually unlimited secure wireless operating distance, SMS based remote volume control and is interoperable with cell A powerful high wattage wireless loudspeaker that phones, landlines, and integrates Global System for Mobile (GSM) existing Crisis Response technology to allow an operator to remotely Throw Phone Systems. broadcast commands/messages to an individual or group from virtually any location! Wireless Remote Audio Structural Tactical Acoustic Perimeter Sharing (WRAPS™) Receiver & Sender (STARS™)

Provides team staff with the ability to listen for voices and other sounds taking place from within an A portable, self‐contained, secure wireless environment as well as communicate with inhabitants communications system which allows up to by attaching up to (4) wireless Sensor Nodes to the (8) First Responders/Officers to simultaneously outside surfaces of the environment's entry points talk and listen to one another in real time. (metal/wooden doors, windows, glass, etc..).

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Volume 31 – Summer/Fall 2012 15 Canadian Critical Incident Inc. Individual Membership Application $56.50 HST incl. (no exceptions applicable)

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Volume 31 – Summer/Fall 2012 16