HIGH RISK
WARRANT
SERVICE
INSTRUCTORS
 Captain
Billy Lee:
 Lt. Ed Allen:
 Lt. Tony Fannin:
 Lt. Mike Weippert
402-7769
402-5783
402-9944
402-4911
Course Overview
Warrants and High Risk Criteria
 Team Organization and Selection
 Basic and Specialty Equipment
 Special Skills
 Mission Planning
 Execution
 Critique
 Practical Drills
 Scenario Drills
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History. . .
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1972 - Munich Olympic Games
2 Israeli athletes killed by Black September, PLO
terrorists.
9 other Israelis, 5 terrorists, 1 police officer killed at time
of hostage rescue attempt.
Realized a tactical component missing - Hostage Rescue.
1982 - LAPD conducted joint training with D.O.D., special
operations units in preparation for 1984 Summer Olympic
Games in Los Angeles.
Epidemic of “crack cocaine” in fortified “rock houses” in
American cities
Warrant Types and Scope
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Warrant - a judicial order
authorizing the seizure or search of
a person, place or thing.
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Applicant - any sworn local, state
or federal law enforcement officer.
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Authorization - any circuit/county
judge or federal magistrate.
Application Process
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Affidavit - establishes probable
cause and requests who, what,
where, when, etc. to be searched
or seized. Written by applicant.
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Warrant - order identifying what
action is to be taken. Written by
judge.
Warrant Types
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Inspection warrant - very limited in
scope, normally limited to inventory and
records regarding alcohol and tobacco.
Seizure warrant - to take physical
control of an item or real property.
Arrest warrant - no expiration date,
normally does not limit where or time.
Search Warrant - authorization to enter
and search a dwelling, vehicle,
container, or even a person. Will always
specify items to be searched for and
location.
What to look for in a
warrant:
Read affidavit - possible intel
 Confirm info in affidavit matches
info on warrant.
 Address of target location including directions
 Date warrant signed
 Signature of judge
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Search Warrant will not:
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Authorize the arrest of subjects,
only the detention of.
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Authorize you to bring suspects
back on to property.
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Authorize a “no knock” entry.
Forced Entry into a Dwelling
Wilson v. Arkansas, 514 U.S. 927 (1995)
Before forcing entry into a dwelling based on a warrant or exigent
circumstances, officer must knock and announce their presence and
purpose before such forced entry (such forced entry would include
walking in an unlocked door unannounced) is made unless:
 The officer’s purpose is already known to the occupant
 When the personal safety of the officer or others would be jeopardized by
the announcement
 When the delay caused by the announcement may enable the suspect to
escape
 When a prisoner has escaped and retreated to his home
 When the announcement may cause evidence to be destroyed.
How Long Must Officer Wait
Following a Knock and Announce
United States v. Banks, 540 U.S. 31 (2003).
Following a knock and announce, officers may force
entry in order to prevent the occupants from
destroying evidence. When forcing entry for this
purpose officers need not wait any longer than it
would take for an occupant to begin destroying
evidence. In a drug case the Court found a 15-20
second wait for a response at the door, prior to
forcing entry, to be sufficient.
High Risk Criteria . . .
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Violent crime(s) involved.
Suspect(s) have history of violent behavior.
Suspect(s) inside are known to be armed.
Reasonable belief weapons would be used against law
enforcement.
Location is heavily fortified.
Reasonable belief evidence can and will be destroyed through
delayed entry.
Not feasible to detain/arrest suspect(s) outside Armed
lookouts/guards present.
Community support for on-going, criminal enterprise.
Exigent circumstances.
Hostage Rescue vs. Narcotics . . .
There is a difference!
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Hostage Rescue
– Life hangs in the balance.
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Search/Arrest/Narcotics Raids
– Is there a compelling reason to use
dynamic tactics?
“Hostage rescue will never reach the level
that the tactical commander can guarantee the
outcome of a forcible rescue attempt!”
Bud Graves, Sgt., LAPD retired
“No-Go” Dynamic Entry . . .
When the element of SURPRISE is lost.
 No compelling reason to get inside a
location quickly.
 When risks to other non-involved residents
are increased by potential for confrontation.
 When the risks to law enforcement
outweigh the necessity to recover narcotics
or other evidence.
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Reducing The Risk
In High-Risk Warrant Service . . .
Causal factors officers injured . . .
• Poor weapons handling
and training.
• Failure to identify an
actual threat - reacting
and shooting a partner
officer.
• Inadequate planning and
briefing causing confusion.
• Improper tactics and poor
execution of the warrant(s).
• Too many warrant services
by the same personnel.
• Uncontrolled and reactive fear.
. . . Ron McCarthy, Sgt. LAPD, retired
Risk Assessment . . .
Overall Mission
Analysis
Operations
Security
Community
Safety
Quality
of
Intelligence
Community Perception
“Reasonable”
Personnel
&
Equipment
Risk Management?
The Basics . . .
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Firearms manipulation,
accuracy & safety.
– Move with finger off trigger!
Ability to shoot on the move
– Point weapon in direction you
look.
Well coordinated/practiced team
Multiple entry points
(primary/secondary).
Sufficient number of personnel to do
the job.
Controlled speed . . .don’t run!
continued
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(The Basics)
...
Never chase a suspect inside . . .
– Cover.
– Alert other team members.
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Uncooperative suspect . . .
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Get assistance (“trailers”).
Don’t tie up with weapon exposed.
Control (front kick?)
Weapon retention.
Communication essential - advise team “clear”
when room clear.
continued
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(The Basics)
Distraction Device(s).
– Place carefully.
Clear corners first - then center of room.
– Always move together.
– “First in - first out”.
– Don’t stop in doorways.
Concentrate on threat area.
Suspect contact . . .
– You contact - you control.
– Verbalize.
– Next team member fills vacancy.
– “Prone”/”Kneel” suspects.
...
continued
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(The Basics)
...
If shooting occurs . . .
– Get cover
– Assess situation
– Hold ground
“Officer down” - closest person covers,
next person recovers officer.
 Clear low and high, behind drapes and
small areas.
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Must have . . .
 Surprise
 Speed
(controlled!)
 Aggressive action
 Accuracy
 Distraction/
Diversions
Team Organization
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Team leader
Entry
Breacher
Long cover
Medic
Inner perimeter
Outer Perimeter
Marked
announcement
Team member selection
Experienced Officers
 Dependable No
Shortcuts
 Physical Conditioning
 Practical Skills
 Sound Use of Force
Decisions
 Performs Well under
Stress
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BASIC EQUIPMENT
Uniform Identification
Safety Equipment
Eye Protection
Gloves
Helmet
Elbow Pads
Knee Pads
SPECIALTY EQUIPMENT &
TRAINING
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Battering Ram
Sledge Hammer
Haligan Tool
Pry Bar
Bolt Cutters
Hooks/Straps/Chains
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Ballistic Shields
Distraction Devices
Specialty Munitions
C02 Fire Extinguisher
Catch Poles
Air Purifying Respirators
SPECIALTY VEHICLES
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW
 Preplanning
 Preparation
of the tactical plan
 Rehearsal
 Briefing
 Deployment
 Post
Operational Activities/ Debriefing
PREPLANNING
 Meeting
with Team Leader, Scout
and requesting investigator
– Obtain all available intelligence
– Case History
– Read the Warrant
– Requesting Investigator
Information
Planning Information
Sources
 Investigator
 Case File
 Scouting
 Photographs/Video
 Maps
 Databases/Records
Investigator Briefing
Establish a good rapport
 Briefing Points
– Suspect Information
– Occupants
– Vehicles
– Area surrounding target site
– Specific target site information
– Other Hazards
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Scouting Mission
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Use a Checklist
1.Binoculars
2.Video Recorder
3.Camera
4.Stopwatch
Intelligence Gathering
Drive-bys
 Confirm
investigator’s intelligence
 Determine approach routes/times
 Establish staging points
 Determine primary and secondary
breaching points
 Evaluate the approach to the target
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Intelligence Gathering
Drive-bys
Evaluate the target
– Does the structure match
the floor plan provided
– Identify breaching points
» Door
material/locks/security
grates
– Is the approach route
exposed
– Security system and/or
lights
– Fences
Preplanning
Location
and drive
route to hospital
Command post
location
The Tactical Plan
Review
Scouting with
Supervisor
Use an established planning
format
Use a checklist
The Tactical Plan
 Determine
number of personnel
and logistics
 Make assignments (specific)
 Determine communication
requirements
 Determine perimeter control needs
The Tactical Plan
 Determine
time of execution
 Determine travel time to target
 Consider a holding area enroute
 Determine rehearsal time
 Establish a briefing time
Warrant Rehearsal
 Ensure
everyone knows their
assigned role
 Provide
an advanced opportunity to
use and test specialized equipment
 Layout your target
 Full gear
 Line up vehicles and simulate
execution
Warrant Briefing
 Investigator
Case Review
 Mission
 Concept
of operation
 Assignments
 Vehicle line-up
 Contingencies
 All personnel
Warrant Briefing
Detailed
tactical briefing
for Entry Team
Separate
general briefing
for others involved
Deployment
Non Entry team to pre-designated area until
called
 Last minute drive-by (unless sentries in place)
 Entry Team responds marked and unmarked
vehicles
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Containment/Perimeter team move to position
Announcements are made
Entry is made
Entire location should be cleared again
Deployment continued
 Periodic
updates to investigators
 Once location is secured
investigators are called in to
conduct search
 All Entry Team activities are
logged
Post-Operation Activities
Pertinent information is provided to
investigators
 A property damage assessment is conducted
and recorded
 All equipment is inventoried
 Diagrams of location are prepared for critique
and file
 Team leaves location unless needed for security
 A comprehensive post-operation report and
critique is conducted
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Warrant Service
Debriefing Checklist
 Planning
phase
 Briefing
 Travel phase
 Deployment phase
 Entry phase
 Post-operation phase