Atlanta Police Department Standard Operating Policy Manual Procedure
APD.SOP.5142 Effective Date: Atlanta Proactive Enforcement August 13, 2020 and Interdiction Unit (APEX)
Applicable To: All sworn employees Review Due: 2024
Approval Authority: Chief Rodney Bryant
Signature by: RB Date Signed: 8/13/2020
Table of Content 4.5 Warrant Service Program 3 1. PURPOSE 1 4.6 Coordination and De-confliction 4 2. POLICY 1 4.7 Gun Recovery Actions 4 4.8 APEX Unit Training Requirements 4 3. RESPONSIBILITIES 1 4.9 Community Liaison 5 4. ACTION 2 5. DEFINITIONS 5 4.1 APEX Components 2 4.2 Method of Operation 2 6. CANCELLATIONS 5 4.3 Crowd Control and Management 3 7. REFERENCES 5 4.4 Tactical Coordination 3
1. PURPOSE
This written directive establishes the guidelines and operating procedures for the Atlanta Proactive Enforcement and Interdiction Unit (APEX), with the aim of reducing the occurrence of violent crime through proactive enforcement and by utilizing technology and modern police tactics.
2. POLICY
The APEX Unit will provide proactive interdiction in areas of the City experiencing a high number of violent gun related crimes and street level narcotics crimes. The function of the APEX Unit is to identify these crime patterns, deploy necessary resources, identify and arrest criminal perpetrators.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 The APEX Unit commander will report directly to the Field Operations Division (FOD) Deputy Chief.
3.2 The APEX Unit Commander and supervisor(s) are responsible for developing tactical plans of action and tactical operations plans as crime trends require. In addition, the APEX Unit Commander or his or her designee shall set clear operational goals and measurable performance objectives.
3.3 Supervisors shall ensure that officers assigned to the operation understand their operational responsibility.
3.4 The APEX Unit Commander and supervisor(s) are responsible for identifying real time crime patterns with the assistance of the crime analyst and statistical officer assigned to the APEX
Atlanta Police Department Policy Manual
APD.SOP.5142 Atlanta Proactive Enforcement and Interdiction Unit (APEX)
Unit. All tactical plans and deployments shall be based on the intelligence provided by the unit’s crime analyst and/or statistical officer.
3.5 The Public Affairs Unit Director or his or her designee shall publicize the success stories related to the APEX Unit.
3.6 All employees assigned to the APEX Unit are responsible for adhering to the guidelines set forth in this directive.
3.7 The APEX Unit consists of the following squads:
1. APEX Squad;
2. APEX Investigation Squad; and
3. APEX-K9 Squad;
4. ACTION
4.1 APEX Components
4.1.1 Supervisors and officers assigned to the APEX Unit shall be trained and assigned to one of the two components within the APEX Unit:
1. Operational/Tactical function;
2. Investigation function; and
3. K-9 function (APD.SOP.5141 “Narcotics & Tracking Canines”).
4.2 Method of Operation
4.2.1 Utilizing intelligence assets, the APEX Unit shall identify and target repeat crime offenders by conducting proactive street enforcement in identified hot spots.
4.2.2 The APEX Unit shall deploy their resources during peak hours of targeted criminal activity and maintain a fluid and dynamic approach.
4.2.3 The APEX Unit shall compile and analyze crime statistics and trends in identified hot spots.
4.2.4 Once crime trends and operational areas have been identified, supervisor(s) shall develop specific plans of action that must address and include:
1. Location of operation;
2. Crime being interdicted;
3. Technology and equipment to be utilized;
4. Number of unit members required;
5. Operational method;
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APD.SOP.5142 Atlanta Proactive Enforcement and Interdiction Unit (APEX)
6. Officers in charge of case management;
7. Hours of operation (determined by intelligence gathered);
8. Tactical Coordination; and
9. Operational security shall be maintained until investigation and prosecution are adjudicated.
4.2.5 Operations require a minimum of eight officers and appropriate supervisors according to department policy and regulations (APD.SOP.5110 “Undercover Operations”).
4.3 Crowd Control and Management
4.3.1 The APEX Unit shall respond to crowd control and management situations as requested.
4.3.2 When the APEX Unit is deployed to respond to a crowd control/management situation, its primary function will be to:
1. Establish a perimeter and reactionary team as needed; and
2. Contain, stabilize, and de-escalate the situation.
4.3.3 The APEX Unit may provide a uniformed police presence at large events that require crowd control or management measures.
4.3.4 To ensure maximum safety, the APEX Unit shall deploy as a unit to incidents of crowd control/management.
4.4 Tactical Coordination
Officers trained and assigned to the Tactical Operation Component of the APEX Unit will deploy to assist the SWAT Unit when tactical operations require additional officers.
4.5 Warrant Service Program
4.5.1 The tactical component of the APEX Unit shall assist other units within the Department with the execution of search warrants.
4.5.2 Department units requiring assistance from the APEX Unit shall complete the Request for Warrant Service/Tactical Assistance form (APD Form 386) and submit the form at least twenty- four (24) hours prior to the scheduled execution of the search warrant unless special circumstances exist.
4.5.3 The APEX Unit Commander shall review all Request for Warrant Service/Tactical Assistance forms (APD Form 386) and intelligence to determine if the APEX Unit will execute the warrant.
4.6 APEX Investigations Squad
4.6.1 The APEX Investigations Squad shall investigate all types of crimes resulting from the manufacturing, buying, selling, and trafficking of illegal narcotics within the City of Atlanta.
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APD.SOP.5142 Atlanta Proactive Enforcement and Interdiction Unit (APEX)
4.6.2 Coordination and De-confliction
1. APEX Investigation Squad supervisor(s) shall inform Zone and Watch commanders of affected zones of operations prior to commencing operation. Operations will be de- conflicted with High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) operations as soon as the operational location is determined.
2. Anytime the APEX Investigation Squad is conducting and/or supporting undercover operations or any operations utilizing confidential funds and/or sources, the corresponding SOP shall be followed. (APD.SOP.5110 “Undercover Operations”, APD.SOP.5150 “Confidential Funds”, and APD.SOP.5160 “Confidential Sources”).
3. The APEX Unit crime analyst will disseminate a weekly activity report detailing a daily account of unit activity to the APEX Unit Commander and FOD Deputy Chief.
4.7 Gun Recovery Actions (APD.SOP.3032 “Felons in Possession of Firearms”)
4.7.1 The officer shall document specific information regarding the location of a firearm, whether it was located on a person, in a vehicle or elsewhere.
4.7.2 In the documentation, the officer shall provide specifics on proximity to suspect and physical status of firearm when located.
4.7.3 Officers shall preserve integrity of crime scene until a Crime Scene Technician is able to process the scene and print the firearm. If ID is not available to come to the scene, a supervisor shall be notified.
4.7.4 When handling a firearm, wear gloves and render the weapon safe. Make sure to document this information.
4.7.5 Make note of all parties involved, co-habitants, and vehicle passengers that may have also had access to the weapon.
4.7.6 Thoroughly document details of the incident in the report.
4.8 APEX Unit Training Requirements
4.8.1 Sworn personnel assigned to APEX shall receive a minimum of eight (8) hours of monthly training.
4.8.2 Training of specialized skills shall necessitate additional hours of individual training beyond the eight hours of monthly training. This training shall consist of any of the following:
1. Undercover Training;
2. Investigative Training;
3. Tactical Training (SWAT); and/or
4. Weapons Training (SWAT).
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APD.SOP.5142 Atlanta Proactive Enforcement and Interdiction Unit (APEX)
4.8.3 The APEX Unit Commander or his or her designee shall ensure that a minimum of two (2) APEX Unit sworn personnel have received Instructor Training. Members of the APEX Unit shall conduct inter-unit training when necessary.
4.8.4 All training scheduling and record keeping shall be maintained by the APEX Units Tactical Sergeant in the unit filing room.
4.9 Community Liaison
4.9.1 APEX Unit supervisor(s) shall attend neighborhood meetings upon request by Zone Commanders. APEX Unit supervisor(s) shall document those meetings in a memorandum to the APEX Commander and FOD Deputy Chief. The following meetings may also be attended by APEX supervision:
1. Violent Repeat Offender (VRO) meeting;
2. Repeat Offender Commission work group meeting; or
3. Neighborhood Planning Unit.
5. DEFINITIONS
N/A
6. CANCELLATIONS
APD.SOP.5142 Atlanta Proactive Enforcement and Interdiction Unit (APEX); effective March 15, 2018.
7. REFERENCES
APD.SOP.3032 Felons in Possession of Firearms APD.SOP.5110 Undercover Operations APD.SOP.5141 Narcotics and Tracking Canine (K-9) APD.SOP.5150 Confidential Funds APD.SOP.5160 Confidential Sources
APD Form 386 Request for Warrant Service/Tactical Assistance
8. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
Addition of responsibilities and duties of the APEX Investigation Squad throughout the entire policy.
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