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

What is the 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

Answer 3

control and contain the scene. Unless there is immediate danger to life, first responders SHALL not enter the scene. Police officers SHALL exercise caution when approaching the scene, particularly if weapons are present.

Question 4

The role of the Incident Commander is to coordinate and manage the police response at an incident, with the exception of ETF tactical operations. When at the scene of an incident, the Supervisory Officer – ETF will assume the role of

Answer 4

ETF Tactical Commander and is responsible for all aspects of the tactical response, unless relieved of these duties by the Unit Commander – ETF upon arrival at the scene.

Question 5

The operational section of the ETF consists of Special Weapons Teams (SWT), and trained crisis negotiators. In addition, the ETF can initiate

Answer 5

tactical paramedic and psychiatric support when necessary.

Question 6

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
• arresting persons armed with firearms and/or offensive weapons, and known to be violent
• incidents involving persons in crisis, including suicide intervention
• crisis negotiation
• high risk prisoner escort/witness protection
• incidents involving explosive substances
• acts of terrorism
• Security Offences Act incidents
• 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

Police Officers

1. When responding to an incident potentially requiring the attendance of the ETF SHALL

Answer 7

• refrain from using the siren near the scene, if appropriate
• position the vehicle a safe distance from the scene
• When interviewing a complainant in a multi–unit residential or commercial building, officers SHALL be cognizant of available cover.

Question 8

First Police Officer

2. In addition to the foregoing, the first police officer on scene SHALL

Answer 8

attempt to verify the situation.

Question 9

First Police Officer

3. Upon confirming that the incident does not require the attendance of the ETF SHALL

Answer 9

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

Question 10

First Police Officer

4. Upon confirming that the incident requires the attendance of the ETF SHALL

Answer 10

• notify the Communications Operator – Communications Services of
  o number of suspects
  o number of hostages
  o 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
• assume the role of Incident Commander and implement the Incident Management System (IMS) as required until relieved of these duties

Question 11

First Police Officer

5. Upon arrival of additional officers SHALL maintain control and containment of the scene and

Answer 11

• 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
  o suspect
   location
   identity and/or physical description
   mental and physical condition
   previous history
   reason barricaded
   demands made
   any weapons
  o 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
  o hostage or other persons requiring assisted evacuation
   location
   identity and/or physical description
   mental and physical condition
   relationship to suspect, if any
  o 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 12

Supervisory Officer

6. Upon arrival at the scene of an incident requiring the attendance of the ETF SHALL

Answer 12

• 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

7. Upon becoming aware of an incident requiring the attendance of the ETF SHALL

Answer 13

ensure the particulars are recorded in the Unit Commanders Morning Report (UCMR), as required.

Question 14

Incident Commander

8. Upon arrival at the scene of an incident requiring the attendance of the ETF SHALL

Answer 14

• 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

9. Upon arriving at an incident SHALL

Answer 15

• obtain all relevant information from the first officer at the scene or supervisory officer
• ensure priority 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

Question 16

Definitions 10-05

ETF Tactical Commander means

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Scene means

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Terrorism means

Answer 18

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