USE OF FORCE REVIEW DIVISION. VOLUME 6 NO. 4 TacOps NEWSLETTER Quarterly

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1 LAPD TACOPS OPS Newsletter USE OF FORCE REVIEW DIVISION VOLUME 6 NO. 4 TacOps NEWSLETTER Quarterly OCTOBER 2011 Planning for a Multi-Assault Counter Terrorism Action Capabilities (MACTAC) Incident In recent months there have been several incidents of terrorism which have shocked the world. In these post 9/11 times we must constantly prepare for potential terrorist attacks. The City of Los Angeles has long been a target for terrorists. There are many targets of opportunity spread about the approximately 468 square miles that make up the City of Los Angeles. How can we prepare for a terrorist attack? What actions are necessary to stop such an attack? Are we ready to respond to this type of major incident? The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has developed in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, the Multi-Assault Counter Terrorism Action Capabilities (MACTAC) concept to combat terrorist actions. MACTAC is a regional and national concept allowing multi- ple agencies to work together to handle a MACTAC incident. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 INSIDE THIS ISSUE. Planning for a MACTAC Incident.. Maintaining Your Equipment... Are Your Magazines Loaded?. MACTAC (continued)... Roll Call Briefing... MACTAC (continued)... Equipment (continued)... Remember Our Fallen Heroes.. In the Line of Duty... Check out the new Use of Force Review Division Website at: UOFRD/index.html Maintaining Your Equipment How many times have you reached for your handcuffs and when you attempted to open them, they did not move. Upon closer inspection of your handcuffs, you observe rust build-up where the handcuffs pivot causing the handcuffs to remain inoperable. Whether your police equipment is used daily, or possibly not for months at a time. You should routinely inspect and maintain your equipment. Here are some tips in maintaining your equipment. Your life may depend on it. Pistol Your pistol should be cleaned and oiled every time you qualify. The amount of oil required depends on the type of pistol you carry. The Glock pistol has specific locations for oil and requires very little as opposed to other pistols, such as the Beretta and Smith & Wesson pistols which also have specific locations but require a bit more oil. Stainless Steel pistols require constant attention as they have the tendency to dry out due to weather conditions and CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

2 Are Your Primary Weapon Magazines Fully Loaded? As a police officer, you never know when you will be involved in an Officer Involved Shooting. As in any situation, preparation is a critical component to your success. Do you have LAPD authorized ammunition? Are your magazines fully loaded? Do you have enough ammunition to sustain an extensive shooting situation? The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) requires both uniformed and plainclothes officers to carry fully loaded magazines in their primary weapons. Uniformed Officers According to LAPD Manual (3/611.30), each uniformed officer shall carry their primary weapon (Revolver or Semi-Automatic Pistol) fully loaded at all times when assigned to field duty. In addition, uniformed officers who have semi-automatic pistols shall carry two fully loaded reserve magazines in their magazine pouch on their Police Equipment Belt. Officers who carry revolvers shall carry a minimum of 12 rounds in their cartridge case on their Police Equipment Belt. Exception: Uniformed Personnel who carry a semi-automatic pistol as a primary weapon in an assignment that does not involve physical contact with the public, or does not require the wearing of the Police Equipment Belt, shall carry at least one fully loaded magazine in a magazine pouch on their belt. Plainclothes Officers Each plainclothes officer shall carry their primary weapon (Revolver or Semi-Automatic Pistol) fully loaded at all times when assigned to field duty. In addition, plainclothes officers shall carry at least one fully loaded magazine in their magazine pouch on their belt if they have a semi-auto pistol or 6 additional rounds in a cartridge carrier if they have a revolver [Los Angeles Police Department Manual (3/611.40)]. Exception: At the discretion of their commanding officer, undercover officers and Special Duties officers may be exempt from the Department Manual provision pertaining to handguns, ammunition and related equipment [(Manual Section 3/610.6)]. Additional Ammunition Officers are encouraged to carry extra ammunition on their person. When worn on the Police Equipment Belt, the ammunition pouch/case generally should be worn on the back of the Sam Browne police belt next to the handcuff case. Additional fully loaded magazines can be carried concealed. Officers should consider having additional ammunition in their equipment bag while on-duty and carry extra ammunition on their person when they are off-duty. LAPD Department Approved Ammunition.380 cal., Hornady, Critical Defense, 90 gr. Hollowpoint.38 cal., Speer Gold Dot, 38 Special +P, 135 gr., GDHP, mm cal., Winchester, Ranger, 14 gr. SXT, RA9T.40 S&W cal., Winchester, Ranger, 180 gr. SXT, RA40T.45 cal., Federal Premium, 45 Auto, 230 gr. HST, P45HST2 (Non +P) 12 Guage, Federal Premium, 12 Gauge, 2 3/4 00 Buck, 9 Pellet, LE Gauge Slug, Winchester Ranger, 12 Gauge, 2 3/4, Low Recoil, 1 oz, RA12RS Rifle, Winchester, 5.56, 55 gr. Full Metal Jacket, Q3131A Less Lethal, LAPD Super-Sock, 12 Gauge, 2 3/4, CTS Model

3 MACTAC continued from page 1 Specifically the MACTAC doctrine provides officers with additional tactics to use during a terrorist incident. By utilizing MACTAC tactics, it is LAPD s intent to stop or interrupt the deadly actions of the assailants. If a MACTAC incident were to occur, the LAPD would immediately send the necessary resources to the incident. All LAPD personnel would cease their police work that is not of major importance. A MACTAC incident may be as single occurrence or multiple occurrences that are related. Officers are encouraged to have additional ammunition, water, etc., should they be deployed for long periods of time. Terrorist Attack: A surprise attack involving the deliberate use of violence against civilians in the hope of attaining political or other aims. The 4 A The momentum of a MACTAC event can be significantly reduced within the first 30 minutes of the incident. The first officers on scene must quickly assess the situation. The first responders to a MACTAC incident should utilize the 4 A s concept in response to the threat. The 4 A s concept consists of: Assess, Announce, Assemble, and Act. Officers should Assess the situation and determine the threat and what can be done to stop or control it. After the assessment of the threat, officers must Announce what they are observing by broadcasting to Communications a Help Call, the nature of the incident, the resources needed, and other pertinent information. Next officers must quickly Assemble a contact team and prepare to respond to the threat. Finally, officers must Act upon the threat by making contact with the attackers and restricting their ability to continue their deadly behavior, movement, and escape. As information is received and updated, officers will be deployed as contact teams, squads and mobile field forces. Four to seven officers make up a contact team. Three contact teams make up a squad and four squads make up a mobile field force. Contact teams may be involved in assault, rescue, support or protection based missions. If the incident should continue to develop, LAPD will send additional resources to combat the threat. The MACTAC incident(s) will be monitored by LAPD Counter Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau (CTSOB), Communication Division (CD) and Real-time Analysis and Critical Response Division (RACR). These entities will analyze activities in the city and region for multiple deadly force incidents that are occurring simultaneously. The first officers responding to a MACTAC incident have the responsibility to: 1. Assess the situation, 2. Announce to Communications Division what is occurring, 3. Assemble Contact Teams, and finally 4. Act based on their assessment of the incident. Officers are required to stay in their own Area until deployed by either their watch commander or Communications Division, based on the best available information at the time. Use of Force-Tactics Directive No. 12 (June 2011) Tactical Concept to Assault an Armed Suspect Cover, Contact, and Support is the concept behind neutralizing an active shooter. In its simplest format, squads generally are comprised of a squad leader and three teams. When assaulting a location or person, the squad should be broken into three assignments; Cover Team, Contact Team, and Support Team, with the squad leader directing/overseeing the movements. Cover Team, utilizing cover and cover fire, engages the suspect in an effort to control the suspects movements. Contact Team uses flanking movements to get into a position to further isolate/neutralize the threat. Suspect movement is extremely restricted. Any suspect movement to avoid one team should put the suspect in jeopardy from the other team. Support Team secures the operation (rear guard) and supports as needed. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 3

4 FUTURE TACOPS NEWSLETTERS WILL INCLUDE RECENT COPIES OF ROLL CALL BRIEFING SHEETS, WHICH ARE DISSEMINATED DEPARTMENT-WIDE WITH CRITICAL OFFICER SAFETY AND TACTICAL INFORMATION RELATIVE TO RECENT INCIDENTS OR TRENDS. Roll Call Briefing Sheet August 31, 2011 The Roll Call Briefing Sheet is designed as a method to disseminate tactical trends quickly to field personnel. The information represents current tactical trends identified locally, nationally or through our Use of Force adjudication process. It is critical that commands ensure the information is disseminated as soon as possible. Ambush -- Roll Call Discussion Points Officers should know the signs of a possible ambush and have a PLAN to defeat it and...survive. There are three types of ambushes; Deliberate: Suspects are prepared with a well-planned ambush at a predetermined location Spontaneous: An unplanned attack Opportunity: Executed only if circumstances benefit the attacker Signs of a possible ambush may include: blocked alleys/roadways anonymous calls to odd or unpopulated locations lights out as you approach (alley, hallway etc) manufactured kill zones - cars blocking egress points leaving no way out drawing you down long driveways/entryways or any place you are vulnerable no call back number, B/O number, or a call back number not local streets are unusually quiet or absent of activity Precautions include: Talk with your partners about ambushes Talk about possible tactical responses When your gut tells you to STOP AND REASSESS; trust your instincts Consider scouting locations; either drive by first look with binoculars when appropriate or have a plain car drive by when that is reasonable NEVER PARK IN FRONT OF A LOCATION! Avoid kill zones! And have a plan to get out of them Should an ambush occur, officers should have a plan to defeat the attack, escape the kill zone and survive. Watch Commanders please discuss these points with your personnel. Stay safe! 4

5 MACTAC continued from page 3 1 At the Rally Point Tactically Park Cars Don Ballistic Vests and Helmets Make all Firearms Patrol Ready Check Communication Equipment Configure into Four Officer Contact Teams Await Instructions for Deployment 2 Identify Teams It is necessary to identify the contact teams during their deployment to the MACTAC incident. Prior to their deployment, each contact team will receive a designation. The first contact team will be designated Team 11. With the given name of the incident preceding the name Team 11. For example: If the incident is named PAB, Team 11 will be known as PAB11, and so on, for contact teams PAB12, and PAB13. Additional contact teams deployed would receive their designation PAB21, PAB22 and PAB23 etc. PAB Incident (Example) 4 Multiple Targets Terrorist tactics often times incorporate multiple targets, a protracted operational time period and mass casualties. MACTAC tactics are designed to enable the Departments resources to respond to multiple threats, more quickly neutralize the incident and help limit the number of casualties. The first 30 minutes and our associated response will be critical. 5 MACTAC Tactics MACTAC tactics are not a substitute for conventional tactics for a barricaded suspect. Platoon Leader PAB Alpha 6 IARD Tactics Squad Leader PAB1 PAB 2 PAB3 Contact Teams PAB11 PAB21 PAB31 PAB12 PAB22 PAB32 PAB13 PAB23 PAB33 3 Avoid Over Deployment It is important for the LAPD to avoid the over deployment of resources to one incident. The possibility of attacks on other locations could occur. The control of resources should be monitored as the incident progresses. IARD tactics are tactical techniques that may be used separately or in conjunction with MACTAC tactics as directed by the event. MACTAC Use MACTAC tactics can be used in a variety of tactical situations and may provide superior maneuverability during a tactical encounter. Use of Force-Tactics Directive No. 12 MACTAC (June 2011) Directive_12_MACTAC.pdf 5

6 Maintaining Your Police Equipment continued from page 1 location where you work. Consult your pistol manual for proper oiling of your pistol and remember to inspect your back-up pistols as well. Magazines Only LAPD approved magazines shall be used for the Department approved semi-auto pistols. Your pistol magazines should be monitored and maintained to properly feed ammunition. The internal springs should be inspected for damage and replaced immediately. There should be tension on the springs so that the ammunition continues to feed. The magazine should be clear of any obstruction. Pistol Ammunition Inspect your ammunition and verify it is LAPD approved. Remember to turn in your old ammunition during the Factory Qualification months and ensure your magazines are fully loaded once you leave the range. Shotgun Whether you carry your own shotguns or use the Department shotguns, be sure to inspect the weapon prior to leaving the station. The barrel should be clear of any obstructions and all parts should be operational. Make sure the sights are installed correctly on the shotgun. For the Remington 80 Shotguns, remember to complete the Six Point Safety Check (BEEFSS - barrel, ejector, extractor, firing pin, safety, shell carrier). Shotgun Ammunition Inspect your shotgun ammunition, making sure that it is Department approved. The shotgun shells should be fully encapsulated. Make note that pieces are not falling out of the crimped part of the shell and there are no punctures in the plastic area of the shell. Defective ammo shall be replaced immediately. Handcuffs Handcuffs should be cleaned periodically and inspected for rust. The rust will build up and cause the cuffs to remain in their current position. You may want to place a little polymer based oil on them to keep them clean and free from rust. Duty Helmet Your duty helmet is a tool that is carried in your gear bag. Proper care should be taken to protect the face shield as it is prone to scratches. Periodically inspect the face shield for cracks and possible scratches which will impair your vision. OC Spray Your OC spray should be operable and tested periodically. You should have an ample amount in the container should you require the use of the spray. Also check the expiration as it degrades over time. The canister is dated and effective for a period of five years from that date. If necessary, replace it by contacting your Training Coordinator. Flashlight Your flashlight is a necessary tool when you have little to no light available. Inspect it for its charge and operation. The buttons both on the top and rear should operate. If your flashlight is not operational, you can take it to Pelican Products and it will be repaired at no cost. Hobble Restraint The hobble restraint is a critical tool for officers. Hobble restraints often become damaged, contaminated or lost. Watch Commanders should consider a Watch Inspection of hobbles, to inspect them for damage. Make sure it moves easily as you adjust it, and check it for contamination. Contact your Training Coordinator for a Hobble replacement. Side Handle /Collapsible Baton Your baton should be operable and ready for use. Check the Yawara handle for tightness to the baton. Inspect the Collapsible Baton integrity when it expands to the open position. 6

7 Remember Our Fallen Heroes According to Webster s Dictionary, a Police Officer is defined as a person whose job is to enforce laws, investigate crimes, and make arrests: a member of the police. As police officers we perform quite a few more functions than what is described above. In performing these functions, we often are placed in dangerous situations which become life threatening at times. The biggest sacrifice that an officer can give is his life in the line of duty. As of today, over 200 LAPD Officers have died in the line of duty. These Officers have performed their duty as Los Angeles Police Officers and are remembered for their sacrifice. The Los Angeles Police Department honors its fallen heroes with the Los Angeles Police Memorial to Fallen Officers. It consists of brass plates mounted to an 11,000 pound brass structure. The monument is open to the public and can be viewed near the east side of the new Police Administration Building. TACOPS Charlie Beck Chief of Police Sandy Jo MacArthur Assistant Chief, Office of Administrative Services Captain Scott L. Sargent Commanding Officer Use of Force Review Division Sergeant Derek O Donnell Managing Editor Tactics Review Section, UOFRD Officer Michael Apodaca Officer Maggie R. Luquin Editors Tactics Review Section, UOFRD TacOps Newsletter is published quarterly by the Los Angeles Police Department, Use of Force Review Division, Tactics Review Section. 100 W First Street, 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA Phone: (213) If you have any suggestions on how to improve our newsletter or the TacOps Resource Guide, please send your comments via to TacOpsNewsletter@lapd.lacity.org or contact Sergeant Derek O Donnell or Officer Michael Apodaca, Use of Force Review Division, Tactics Review Section at Los Angeles Police Department - All Rights Reserved In The Line Of Duty Officer Louis Villalobos Jr. Los Angeles Police Department Age: 52 Tour of Duty: 29 Year End of Watch: March 18, 2000 Officer Louis Villalobos, 52, died March 18, 2000 from injuries he incurred when he slipped and fell off of a 10-foot catwalk during training exercises as a member of the Los Angeles Police Department's Metropolitan Division, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team. Villalobos was taking advanced training at the U.S. Marine Base, Camp Pendleton, observing a live-fire drill at a "shooting house." Officer Villalobos had been with the Los Angeles Police Department for 29 years, and had been a member of the SWAT team for 1 years. Please see the following websites for more information regarding honoring Fallen Officers: Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation: California Peace Officers Memorial: National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund: Check out the UOFRD Website for Use of Force Orders, Directives and the TacOps Resource Guide.