10-05 Incidents Requiring the Emergency Task Force

Question 1

What is the Rationale?

Answer 1

A controlled response to an incident requiring the attendance of the Specialized Emergency Response – Emergency Task Force (ETF) will help eliminate or reduce the risk of injury and death to members and other persons at the scene, and conclude the incident safely.

Question 2

Supervision

Answer 2

 Supervisory Officer attendance mandatory upon confirming a situation requires the attendance of the ETF

Question 3

Procedure - The role of first responders at an incident requiring the ETF is to______. Unless there is immediate danger to life, first responders SHALL not____ the scene. Police officers SHALL exercise caution when approaching the scene, particularly if_____ are present.

Answer 3

control and contain the scene

enter

weapons

Question 4

Procedure - The role of the Incident Commander is to coordinate and manage the police response at an incident, with the exception of_____. When at the scene of an incident, the ____ and is responsible for all aspects of the tactical response, unless relieved of these duties by the _____ upon arrival at the scene.

Answer 4

ETF tactical operations

Supervisory Officer – ETF will assume the role of ETF Tactical Commander

Unit Commander – ETF

Question 5

Procedure - The operational section of the ETF consists of ____, and trained crisis negotiators. In addition, the ETF can initiate ______ support when necessary.

Answer 5

Special Weapons Teams (SWT)

tactical paramedic and psychiatric

Question 6

Procedure - The ETF SHALL be notified for, but is not limited to, the following scenarios:

Answer 6

 barricaded persons and hostage situations
 executing high risk search or arrest warrants where violent or armed resistance is anticipated (see Procedure 02–18)
 arresting persons armed with firearms and/or offensive weapons, and known to be violent
 incidents involving persons in crisis, including suicide intervention (see Procedure 06–04)
 crisis negotiation
 high risk prisoner escort/witness protection (see Procedure 12–11)
 incidents involving explosive substances (see Procedure 10–03)
 acts of terrorism (see Procedure 10–12)
 Security Offences Act incidents (see Procedure 04–26)
 any other violent situations involving weapons or explosive substances or violent persons
 any other incidents as determined by the Unit Commander – ETF
 All requests for crisis negotiators and/or a Forensic Psychiatrist SHALL be made through the ETF.

Question 7

First Police Officer - In addition to the foregoing, the first police officer on scene SHALL attempt to

Answer 7

verify the situation.

Question 8

First Police Officer - Upon confirming that the incident does not require the attendance of the ETF SHALL

Answer 8

 notify the Communications Operator – Communications Services
 cancel response of any unnecessary units or other resources

Question 9

First Police Officer - Upon confirming that the incident requires the attendance of the ETF SHALL

Answer 9

 notify the Communications Operator – Communications Services of
 number of suspects
 number of hostages
 if suspecting or confirming an act of terrorism
 There may be some situations where broadcasting some of the above information may jeopardize the safety of officers or members of the public at the scene, or may complicate the quick resolution of the incident. Discretion must be exercised in these situations.
 disengage, remain a safe distance away from the suspect’s location and maintain surveillance, unless REASONABLE GROUNDS exist making it necessary to protect against the loss of life or serious bodily harm
Police Officers
 assume the role of Incident Commander and implement the Incident Management System (IMS) as required until relieved of these duties and in compliance with Chapter 10, Appendix A

Question 10

First Police Officer - Upon arrival of additional officers SHALL

Answer 10

 maintain control and containment of the scene
 designate officers to IMS roles
 interview complainants and witnesses
 cover traffic points
 obtain as much of the following information as possible pending the arrival of the ETF
a) suspect
‒ location
‒ identity and/or physical description
‒ mental and physical condition
‒ previous history
‒ reason barricaded
‒ demands made
‒ any weapons
b) police officers and other emergency service personnel
‒ number and location of uniform officers on scene
‒ number and location of plain clothes officers on scene
‒ number and location of other emergency service personnel on scene
c) hostage or other persons requiring assisted evacuation
‒ location
‒ identity and/or physical description
‒ mental and physical condition
‒ relationship to suspect, if any
d) scene
‒ interior and exterior description
‒ obtain a floor plan and pass key if possible
‒ obtain the number and the location of any telephone on the premises
‒ locations of service connections to the building (hydro, water, gas)
‒ secure elevators if applicable

Question 11

Additional Police Officers - When responding to an incident requiring the attendance of the ETF SHALL

Answer 11

 comply with item 1
 report to the command post for briefing, assignment and when relieved
 In situations involving hostages where negotiations are under way, police officers in the vicinity SHALL remain in their assigned areas, unless otherwise directed.

Question 12

Supervisory Officer - Upon arrival at the scene of an incident requiring the attendance of the ETF SHALL

Answer 12

 comply with item 1
 obtain all relevant information from the first police officer on scene
 assess the situation and assume the role of Incident Commander and expand the IMS, if required
 assess and consider the safety of civilians and officers throughout the incident

Question 13

Officer in Charge - Upon becoming aware of an incident requiring the attendance of the ETF SHALL ensure the particulars are recorded in the

Answer 13

Unit Commanders Morning Report (UCMR), as required.

Question 14

Incident Commander - Upon arrival at the scene of an incident requiring the attendance of the ETF SHALL

Answer 14

 comply with item 1
 coordinate and manage the police response, excluding ETF tactical operationS
 When at the scene of an incident, the Supervisory Officer – ETF will assume the role of ETF Tactical Commander and is responsible for all aspects of the tactical response, unless relieved of these duties by the Unit Commander – ETF upon their arrival at the scene.
 ensure the suspect is isolated and contained
 ensure detective office personnel attend
 consider requesting that the Communications Operator – Communications Services assign a separate radio frequency for the use of police personnel

Question 15

Supervisory Officer – Specialized Emergency Response – Emergency Task Force - Upon arriving at an incident SHALL

Answer 15

 comply with unit–specific guidelines
 comply with item 1
 obtain all relevant information from the first officer at the scene or supervisory officer
 ensure primary response members are notified that ETF officers are on scene
 assume the role of ETF Tactical Commander, including coordinating and managing all aspects of the tactical
response, unless relieved of these duties by the Unit Commander – ETF upon their arrival at the scene of an
incident
 ensure a police officer is assigned to the command post and provided with an ETF radio to act as communication liaison between the tactical team and the Incident Commander
 assess and consider the safety of civilians and officers throughout the incident
 in situations involving a bomb threat and/or explosion, SHALL immediately notify Emergency Management & Public Order – Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) and comply with Procedure 10–03
 comply with Procedures 10–03 and/or 10–08 when chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive
(CBRNE) materials are suspected or confirmed
 consult with EDU if the use of respiratory equipment is required
 ensure the command post is apprised of the situation on an ongoing basis
 ensure the Toronto Police Operations Centre (TPOC), the Communications Centre and Intelligence Services are updated on the situation

Question 16

Supervisory Officer – Specialized Emergency Response – Emergency Task Force - If the possibility exists that the Special Investigation Unit mandate will be invoked SHALL

Answer 16

 ensure the scene is properly protected
 comply with Procedure 13–16, if applicable

Question 17

Definitions - ETF Tactical Commander

Answer 17

means a member of Specialized Emergency Response – Emergency Task Force (ETF) who has completed an Incident Commanders Hostage/Barricaded Persons course at the Canadian Police College, or other recognized Police training agency.
 Although the Incident Commander has control over all police response at an incident, the Supervisor – ETF will have control of all aspects of ETF tactical operations.
In relation to a bomb threat and/or explosion, the Supervisor–Emergency Management & Public Order – Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) will have control of all aspects of EDU operations

Question 18

Definitions - Incident Commander

Answer 18

means the police officer who has taken charge of the incident and who is in charge at the Command Post and, in conjunction with other emergency services commanders, is responsible for coordinating and managing police response at an incident.

Question 19

Definitions - Scene

Answer 19

means the entire area of the incident, including both the inner and outer perimeters.

Question 20

Definitions - Terrorism

Answer 20

means the criminal use of violence, intimidation or coercion, or the threat of such violence to influence the behaviour of others by a terrorist activity.