Kern County Sheriff’s Office Active Shooter Response -1990 The purpose of this course is to develop the student’s skills to a proficient level that will enable the student to immediately respond to an active shooter situation. I. Course Overview A. Introduction 1. Instructors 2. Student registration 3. Student Bingo B. Learning Goal 1. Student will learn appropriate response to an “Active Shooter” situation a. Students will have a clear understanding of the Immediate Action/Rapid Deployment concept and initial responder responsibilities. b. Students will have a clear understanding of team formation, individual roles, and team tactics c. Students will understand the difference between “static” and “dynamic” situations, and appropriate response to each. d. Students will have a clear understanding of basic room clearing techniques. II. Lecture A. History 1. SWAT response history/philosophy 2. Las Vegas Route 91 3. Gilroy Garlic Fest 4. Orlando Pulse Night Club 5. El Paso Texas Walmart 6. Thousand Oaks California B. Lessons Learned 1. Active shooter incidents are spontaneous in their victims 2. Suspect behavior is unpredictable 3. Pre-incident signs often existed 4. Incidents occur in target rich environment 5. First responders outgunned and/or didn’t have the training to respond to an active shooter situation 6. A tactical intervention was too late 7. Multi-jurisdictional response issues were present. C. Definitions 1. Immediate Action Rapid Deployment (IARD) a. The swift and immediate deployment of law enforcement resources to on-going, life threatening situations where delayed deployment could otherwise 1 | P a g e Kern County Sheriff’s Office Active Shooter Response -1990 result in death or great bodily injury to innocent persons. 2. Active Shooter a. Suspect(s) activity is immediately causing death and serious bodily injury. The activity is not contained and there is immediate risk of death or serious bodily injury to potential victims. 3. Dynamic Situation a. The situation is evolving very rapidly along with the suspect’s action (ex. shooting and moving) 4. Static Situation a. The situation is not evolving or in motion, the suspect(s) actions appear to be contained. Example, suspect is barricaded in a room. 5. Time Line of Violence a. The period of time from the suspects first violent action until his action is stopped or he/she transitions to another activity. 6. Incident Transition a. That point in the incident where the “active shooter” stops his violent actions and tries to escape or barricades himself. 7. Barricade Suspect a. Suspect is in a position of advantage, usually barricaded in a room or building b. Suspect is armed and has displayed violence c. May or may not be holding a hostage(s) d. There is no indication that the suspect(s) activity is immediately causing death or serious bodily injury. The event is not dynamic but rather static. 8. Contact Team a. A team of officers who are attempting to contact the suspect and stop deadly behavior. 9. Rescue Team a. A team of officers whose priority is to rescue victims. D. What officers may encounter relative to Lock Down Procedures 1. Signal/code 2. Locked Doors 3. Safe Area 4. Account for personnel/students 5. Do not open door until all police arrive 6. Communications E. Resolution of an “Active Shooter” Situation 1. Most likely by Patrol 2. Non-traditional response 2 | P a g e Kern County Sheriff’s Office Active Shooter Response -1990 3. Minimum number of officers. a. Ideally three or four person teams, but there is no minimum officer(s) required if suspect(s) activities are immediately causing death and serious bodily injury. 1) Contact 2) Rescue 4. Properly equipped officers 5. Properly trained officers 6. Able to transition to a barricade situation F. Law Enforcement Priorities during an “Active Shooter” Situation 1. The capture or neutralization of the suspect, as soon as possible 2. The lives of those in proximity of the shooter 3. The lives and safety of citizens in the area 4. The safety of law enforcement officers 5. Containment 6. After event investigation and a return to normalcy G. Law Enforcement Response to Dynamic Active Shooter Incident 1. Quick Assessment a. Obtain as much information as possible en route b. Position yourself in the best possible location c. Determine if you have an active shooter or possible barricade situation 2. Communicate Assessment a. Collect information en route and upon arrival at the location. Communicate this information quickly and concisely to dispatch and responding units. 3. Quick Intervention a. Barricade situation – 4C’s 1) Contain, Control, Communicate and if needed Coordinate 2) If a dynamic situation a) Intervene – contact team 4. First responding officer not actively seeking the suspect becomes the IC (Incident Commander) until relieved by a supervisor. H. Incident Commander (IC) 1. Responsibilities a. Collect information b. Direct responding units to a staging area c. Assemble additional rescue and support if needed d. Remain outside, direct additional responding units 3 | P a g e Kern County Sheriff’s Office Active Shooter Response -1990 e. Transition command to a supervisor f. Civilian intervention I. Law Enforcement First Responder Tactics 1. Position yourself in the best possible location a. On one side, front of the building b. Patrol vehicle to act as cover with the best possible field of view 2. Use a target site numbering system for points of reference a. Building’s Side and Opening Designations 1) Sides – clockwise from the front 2) Levels – bottom to top 3) Openings – left to right 3. Assess and communicate situation clearly and concisely J. Proper Equipment for Patrol Officers 1. Weapons a. Shoulder fired weapon with light mounts b. Shotgun with slug 2. Protective Gear a. Ballistic helmet b. Ballistic shields 3. Breaching Equipment a. Hooligan tool b. Sledge Hammer c. Ram d. Bolt Cutters K. Weapons 1. Why a shoulder fired weapon? a. Accurate weapons fire b. Defeat body armor 2. Over penetration a. Not an issue with .223 b. May be a problem with a shotgun L. Considerations 1. Losing contact with the suspect 2. Suspect contact and apprehension 3. Evacuations 4. Encountering explosive devices 5. Use of deadly force 6. Cover Fire 7. What to expect on entry 8. Bounding Over-Watch 9. Color Coded Safety Zones for EMS M. Losing Contact 1. What do you do when the shots and the screaming stops during your entry? 4 | P a g e Kern County Sheriff’s Office Active Shooter Response -1990 a. Has the suspect(s) committed suicide? b. Has he taken hostage and barricaded himself? c. Has the suspect escaped? 2. Have A Plan! N. Suspect Contact and Apprehension 1. Primary goal a. Stop suspect’s deadly behavior b. Take suspect into custody 2. Remain in a position of cover, bring suspect to you 3. One officer gives clear and concise orders to suspect O. Evacuations 1. Evacuations for an active shooter are not like a fire drill 2. Move to a safe distance behind cover 3. Types of evacuations a. Evacuees are escorted by police to a safe area b. Law Enforcement direct evacuees to a safe area 4. When in doubt, have teachers and students secure themselves in a classroom until a police escort can be provided. P. Encountering Explosives 1. Identify and report location 2. Don’t move, don’t touch 3. Visually inspect for potential detonator a. Trip wire, timing device, burning fuse etc. 4. Options a. Alternative route b. Move past, continue to locate suspect and/or victims Q. Use of Deadly Force 1. Based on IDOL (Immediate Defense Of Life) 2. Individual Department Policy governs conduct of individual officers a. Policy knowledge and application is essential 3. INDIVIDUAL OFFICER makes decision. a. Does not require approval from higher authority 4. Utilized to stop the threat 5. The law - “Objectively Reasonable” R. Suppressive (cover) Fire 1. Worst case scenario. Should only be employed when other options are not REASONABLE 2. Used to limit suspects movements or fire 3. Target specific threat/are (no “spray and pray”) 4. Always be cognizant of background 5. Communicate your actions if possible S. What to Expect Upon Entry 1. Noise – alarms, screaming, gun fire, explosions 5 | P a g e Kern County Sheriff’s Office Active Shooter Response -1990 2. Confusion 3. Carnage 4. Fire and sprinkler – wet, slippery surfaces, smoke, limited vision T. Team Tactics 1. Contact Team/Rescue Team a. Number of officers to make a “Team” 1) Ideally three or four person teams, but there is no minimum officer(s) required if suspect(s) activities are immediately causing death and serious bodily injury. 2) More members are desirable, if possible 3) Rescue team may have paramedics with them 4) Why go with three? a) Known lack of availability b) Extended ETA c) Formations differ between 3 and 4 2. Formations a. Diamond formation (4 man team) 1) Assignments / Responsibilities a) Point Officer – sets pace b) Right Guard – covers team’s right flank c) Left Guard – covers team’s left flank d) Rear Guard – hands on, radio, covers team’s rear b. Three Man Bump (3 man team) 1) Assignments / Responsibilities a) Point – sets pace, Point Guard b) Center – assist Point c) Rear guard – hands on, radio, covers team’s rear c. Positions will change during the searching process U. Team Conduct 1. Contact Team a. Priority is to make CONTACT with the suspect and STOP the deadly behavior b. Secondary duties 1) Limit suspect(s) movement 2) Prevent suspect(s) escape 3) Continue past victims 4) Communicate progress to other responders 5) Provide preliminary assessment a) Victim(s) location and medical needs type of wounds, dead vs.