AJ 53 –
Police Field Operations
Chapter 9 –
Crimes In Progress
In-Progress Calls
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Require Immediate & Coordinated
Response
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Potential for injuries/death
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Victim as well as responding officers
Suspect identification/apprehension
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Multiple officers, clear communications
How far can they get away?
Evidence identification/preservation
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Crime-scene protection
Pre-Planning
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When is an in-progress crime likely to
occur?
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Any time of day/any day of week!
Beat knowledge is crucial
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Potential victims/target locations
Avenues of ingress & egress
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Ability to navigate safely in darkness
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Dead ends, one-way streets, etc.
In vehicle, on foot, etc.
High-ground observation locations
Potential informants/witnesses
Play the “What-If?” game with
yourself!
Dispatcher Responsibilities
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Obtain as much information from RP as possible
as quickly as possible
Relay information to responding officers as
quickly as possible
Keep the victim/RP on the line
Questions to ask…
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What happened? Still happening now?
Exact location?
Injuries? How severe?
Suspect(s) location? Identification/Description?
Weapons? Location now?
Vehicle? Direction of travel?
Field Unit Response
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Beat knowledge is crucial!
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Code 3 vs. Silent Approach?
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Street directions, numbering system, etc.
Each has advantages/disadvantages
Know/follow department policy!
Be aware of surroundings en-route
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Suspects, victims, witnesses, etc.
Suspect’s appearance may have changed!
Note suspicious/out-of-place vehicles, persons…
Arrival at the Scene
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Communications
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How should you arrive?
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Siren? Silent? Stealthy?
Where should you park?
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Dispatch, other officers, supervisors
Safe, practical distance from scene
Approaching on foot
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Use of cover and concealment
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What’s the difference?
Arrival Considerations (cont’d)
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Stop and Observe…
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Don’t just barge in!
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John Wayne Syndrome
Look & listen to determine what’s occurring
Maintain Communications
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Consider requesting clear frequency
Essential radio traffic only!
Does Dispatch still have RP on telephone?
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If not, have Dispatch re-contact before entry
Have parties come out to you, if possible
Making Contact
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Safe approach/stance at doorway
Knock and Notice, as required
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Exigent circumstances exception
Take control of people and scene
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Identify persons involved
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Victim, suspect, RP, witnesses, etc.
Security check of area
Check for injuries/medical needs
Separate and interview
Crimes Against Persons
and Violent Crimes
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Safe response, arrival, and approach
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Wait for back-up as appropriate
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Observe and gather intelligence
Active-shooter situation?
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Public/Officer/Victim safety
Display of weapons upon approach?
May have to make entry/stop threat as soon as
sufficient officers arrive
Situational awareness
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Eyes/ears/senses on high alert
Crimes Against Property
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Audible vs. Silent alarms
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Safe approach to scene
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How does this affect your response?
Use of weapons?
Communicate/Coordinate assistance
Assess nearby persons/vehicles
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Suspects, lookouts, etc.
Remember to look up!
Building Entry and Searches
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Observe exterior
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Open doors, windows, etc.
Signs of forced entry/attempted entry
Identify/preserve potential evidence
Officers enter/search together
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Avoids mis-identification, crossfire, etc.
Silence/stealth vs. Making your presence
known
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Radios, cell phones, keys, etc. make a lot of
noise
Maintain communications updates
Building Searches (continued)
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Flashlights
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Communication with fellow officers
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Radio, talking, hand signals
Room-by-room searches
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Day shift?
How to hold/use during search
Don’t linger in doorways
Locked doors?
Potential hiding places
Expect the unexpected!
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Mentally/physically prepared to find suspects
Use of Weapon During Search
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What else will you need to do with your hands during search?
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Which, if any, weapon do you choose?
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Handgun? Shotgun? AR-15? Taser? Other?
Department Policy and common sense should guide your decision
Advantages & Disadvantages to each…
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Open/close/secure doors, Manipulate light switches, Use radio
Ease of carry, slings, one-hand/two-hand, etc.
Firepower/penetration
Transition between force options
Always follow basic safety rules
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Trigger finger indexed along slide/frame
Muzzle pointed in safe direction
Avoid crossfire situations
Be aware of target and beyond
Prowler Calls
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647(h) PC – Prowling (M)
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647(i) PC – Peeping (M)
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Loiter, prowl, wander on private property, day or
night, without lawful business
Peek in door or window of inhabited building/structure
while prowling
Prowler characteristics vary greatly…
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No crime – resident, friend, relative, etc.
Curious teens
Domestic Violence, Stalking, Sexual Voyeur
Rapist/Sexual Predator, Serial Killer
Responding to Prowler Calls
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Response and Approach
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Silent/blacked-out response
Park a few houses away
Silent approach on foot
Be aware of vehicles/pedestrians in area
Use light to thoroughly search area when practicable
Weapon drawn during search?
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Not as likely for misdemeanor response
Contacting the victim
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Very traumatic situation, especially if UTL suspect
Thoroughly check interior/exterior
Assist with alternate overnight arrangements
Remain in area to observe stealthily
Extra-patrol follow-up
General Response
Considerations
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Avoid caravanning to scene
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Don’t jump-in on the call unless assigned or
requested
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Consider alternate routes to/from location
Drift closer, but stay available
Acquire good location for BOL surveillance
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Suspect’s mode of travel?
Time elapsed since crime reported?
Distance able to be covered in that time?
General Search Considerations
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Each search has certain advantages/disadvantages…
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Foot Search
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Spot Cover
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Leapfrog, Quadrant, Spiral, Zigzag
Plainclothes Assistance
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Fixed-location surveillance
Various search patterns
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Face-to-face interaction/question witnesses
Limited mobility, response time, equipment
Proper ID and clear communications!
Alternative Search Methods
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Bicycles, Air Units, Mounted Units, etc.