NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

C. The responding Sergeant shall take immediate control of the scene to begin preliminary
planning toward the proper and safe application of law enforcement resources to the
event. Precautions include, but are not limited to, the following:
Tactical Responsibility
Strengthening of the perimeter by establishing an inner and outer perimeter
Evaluating first aid or casualty needs and potential rescue of persons in
immediate danger from the suspect(s)
Notification of the Chief of Police
Notification of SWAT or other law enforcement resources from outside agencies
Wholesale evacuation of all bystanders
Isolation of potential witnesses for future interview
Protection of physical evidence relative to the criminal acts committed
A. Responding officers must recognize the limitations of Police Department resources and
understand that generally, the role of the Police Department is scene containment and
public safety. The Police Department enjoys mutual aid agreements with the Franklin
County Sheriff’s Office and Columbus Division of Police, all of which have special
response or SWAT Teams for rescue and hostage negotiation processes. Upon request,
these agencies will provide rapid response to any situation with personnel who are
specially trained in unusual occurrences.
B. Unfortunately, not all unusual occurrences will be stable enough to allow for the first
responding officers to set up perimeters and evacuate bystanders. In a situation like a
gunman shooting other individuals in a building or isolated area, officers may have no
other choice but to make a tactical entry. If the first responding officers reasonably
believe that by not making an entry into a building or area to search out and neutralize a
threat that innocent people will either be killed or will be seriously harmed, they may
make a tactical entry. The tactical entry is a last resort and should only be done when
serious physical harm and/or death is in progress. It is important to note that the fact that
an armed individual threatens force that is likely to cause death or serious physical harm
is not enough justification for a tactical entry. It is preferred that a SWAT team that has
received extensive training in unusual occurrences handle hostage type situations. The
officers making the tactical entry are responsible for the following:
The entry should be made by at least three officers (four preferred) who have
completed tactical training.
No one else, including other officers, shall be permitted to enter the building or
area once the tactical team has made its entry.
The tactical team’s objective is to stop any person who is killing and/or causing
serious physical harm. It is important for the tactical team to remain focused and
not be distracted. It could be very easy for the team to turn their focus to
evacuation and rescuing injured individuals. In a situation that justifies a tactical
entry, any delay may put other lives in jeopardy.
C. The on-duty supervisor is responsible for the coordination and deployment of all
resources at the scene of a barricaded suspect or hostage taking. The responsibilities of
the on duty supervisor include, but are not limited to, the following:
The establishment of a safe location for a command post near the incident scene
(see Item J below)
To facilitate data collection about the suspect and scenario for distribution to
responding SWAT/negotiation units
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