600-05 Special Threat Situations

Question 1

The Houston Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Detail and Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) shall be used in all special threat situations as defined in this General Order. The primary goal in such situations is the_____.

Answer 1

safe release of all hostages and the successful termination of the operation without the loss of life

Question 2

Active Shooter.

Answer 2

One or more suspects who participate in a random or systematic shooting spree, demonstrating intent to continuously harm others. An active shooter’s overriding
objective appears to be that of mass murder rather than other criminal conduct such as robbery or hostage taking.

Question 3

Barricaded Suspect.

Answer 3

Any person who:

a. Has demonstrated capability and/or stated the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person, including himself, and

b. Has achieved tactical superiority by location or the use of a physical obstruction (e.g., an open field, a building, a vehicle, any natural or man-made barrier).

Question 4

Debriefing/Interviewing.

Answer 4

Questioning designed to obtain all useful information for a formal report.

Question 5

Face-to-Face Communications.

Answer 5

Communications in which an officer in the kill zone is not using cover or concealment and is able to see and be seen by the suspect.

Question 6

Hostage Situation

Answer 6

Any incident in which the possibility exists or the available information indicates that a barricaded suspect may be holding a hostage.

Question 7

Inner Perimeter.

Answer 7

The area of containment closest to the suspect.

Question 8

Kill Zone.

Answer 8

Any area in which a suspect can fire or use a weapon that could kill or injure a person.

Question 9

Objective.

Answer 9

The physical location where a barricaded suspect or hostage is believed to be located.

Question 10

Outer Perimeter.

Answer 10

The area of containment that prevents outsiders from interfering with or being endangered by the threat situation.

Question 11

Safe Route.

Answer 11

Directions to the scene for responding officers that direct them around the kill zone.

Question 12

Sniper.

Answer 12

Any person who causes or attempts to cause death or bodily injury to another person by discharging a firearm from an initially concealed position.

Question 13

Special Threat Situation.

Answer 13

Any situation involving a sniper, barricaded suspect, hostage situation, active shooter, terrorist activity, or threatened suicide involving a weapon or from an elevated structure such as a bridge or building.

Question 14

Terrorist Activity

Answer 14

Any in-progress act of violence or threat thereof that creates or is designed to create fear of death or imminent bodily injury in the minds of others and is intended to intimidate governments or citizen populations in the pursuit of goals that are generally political,
religious, or ideological.

Question 15

GENERAL GUIDELINES

When informed of a possible special threat situation, the dispatcher shall immediately direct a patrol supervisor to the scene. Simultaneously, the dispatch supervisor shall ensure that the _____ is aware of the possible special threat situation.

The first supervisor on the scene shall verify that a special threat situation exists and shall
update the Command Center with all available information. The _____ shall then make all necessary notifications to ensure the proper departmental resources are activated.

The police response to all special threat situations shall be measured in proportion to the _____.

When it is determined that a special threat situation is an active shooter, officers shall follow the concepts and principles taught in the department’s_____.

Answer 15

1) Command Center

2) Command Center

3) level of threat to life and public safety

4) Active Shooter training course

Question 16

SPECIAL THREAT RESPONSE

Although any resource of the department may be used to resolve a special threat situation, the primary teams included in the department’s special threat response are:

a. Patrol officers and _____

b. Tactical Operations Division including _____and _____

c. _____ Division

Answer 16

a. Patrol officers and supervisors

b. Tactical Operations Division including SWAT Detail and HNT

c. Special Operations Division

[Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Detail and Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT)]

Question 17

Patrol Officer Responsibilities (1/3)

The first officers to arrive at the scene shall:

a. Notify the dispatcher that a possible special threat situation exists and request a _____

b. Confine the suspect to the smallest area possible by establishing an _____

c. If possible, determine if contact with the suspect by telephone is available. Officers shall not use face-to-face communication with an armed suspect without ______

d. Maintain communications with the suspect only if it stabilizes the situation, but shall avoid
constantly contacting a suspect who _____.

Answer 17

a. Notify the dispatcher that a possible special threat situation exists and request a patrol
supervisor from the appropriate district.

b. Confine the suspect to the smallest area possible by establishing an inner perimeter.

c. If possible, determine if contact with the suspect by telephone is available. Officers shall not use face-to-face communication with an armed suspect without prior approval from the
operational commander or HNT coordinator.

d. Maintain communications with the suspect only if it stabilizes the situation, but shall avoid
constantly contacting a suspect who refuses to communicate.

Question 18

Patrol Officer Responsibilities (2/3)

The first officers to arrive at the scene shall:

e. If communications are established, stabilize the emotionally distraught or violent suspect by doing or refraining from doing the following:

1. Communicate by _____if possible.
2. Express a _____ through positive statements. Do not make threatening or intimidating remarks.
3. Do not _____ with the suspect.
4. Do not _____ by the suspect.
5. Do not allow family members or any non-law enforcement personnel to speak with the
   suspect without _____.

f. Relay, via mobile computing device (MCD) or telephone, the following information to the
dispatcher as soon as it becomes available:

1. Description of the suspect and any _____.
2. Location and number of _____.
3. Possible _____.
4. Safe routes and location to where _____.

Answer 18

1. Communicate by telephone if possible.
2. Express a willingness to help through positive statements. Do not make threatening or
   intimidating remarks.
3. Do not beg or plead with the suspect.
4. Do not agree to any demands made by the suspect.
5. Do not allow family members or any non-law enforcement personnel to speak with the
   suspect without prior approval from the operational commander or HNT coordinator.
6. Description of the suspect and any weapons.
7. Location and number of hostages.
8. Possible avenues of escape.
9. Safe routes and location to where additional units should respond.

Question 19

Patrol Officer Responsibilities (3/3)

The first officers to arrive at the scene shall:

g. Detain all witnesses for interviewing by _____ personnel.

h. Upon being relieved, immediately report to the ____

i. Remain at the scene until _____by the operational commander or by the senior Homicide Division representative if Homicide Division personnel have been dispatched to the scene.

Answer 19

g. Detain all witnesses for interviewing by Tactical Operations Division personnel.

h. Upon being relieved, immediately report to the command post for debriefing.

i. Remain at the scene until debriefed and released by the operational commander or by the senior Homicide Division representative if Homicide Division personnel have been dispatched to the scene.

Question 20

Officer Originally Assigned to the Call

Except as noted below, the officer originally assigned to the call is responsible for completing the original incident report and filing charges when necessary. If the officer is unable to remain at the scene, the officer may be relieved by the on-scene supervisor after both of the following have occurred:

a. The patrol supervisor has verified the officer completed the original incident report including all details up to the time _____

b. The _____ has assigned another patrol officer to replace the original officer. This replacement officer shall stand by to take custody of any prisoner, file charges when necessary, and supplement the original incident report.

If circumstances warrant having Homicide Division personnel handle the original incident report, the officer originally assigned to the call shall _____ as required by the Homicide Division investigators.

Answer 20

1) Tactical Operations Division personnel took control of the scene.

2) patrol supervisor

3) supplement the report

Question 21

Patrol Supervisor Responsibilities

The first on-scene patrol supervisor shall do all of the following:

a. Confirm a special threat situation exists, notify the Command Center without delay regarding the details of the incident, and provide the Command Center with a _____

b. Give the dispatcher all pertinent information about the special threat situation (e.g., the _____) as soon as the information becomes available.

c. Establish and supervise a _____ to which all patrol personnel shall report.

d. Provide to the operational commander a diagram of the outer perimeter showing the _____

e. Complete a _____ upon conclusion of the incident and immediately send it to the Command Center.

Answer 21

1) direct telephone number to the on-scene supervisor.

2) correct location, the number of suspects, and the number of hostages

3) mobilization point

4) radio numbers and locations of all patrol units along the perimeter.

5) Significant Event Report

Question 22

Patrol Captain or Duty Lieutenant Responsibilities

The concerned captain or duty lieutenant shall do all of the following:

a. Go to the scene and assume _____ until relieved by the operational commander.

b. Ensure patrol officers man the outer perimeter until relieved by officers from either the _____

c. Ensure the establishment of a _____.

d. Ensure that the _____ radio channel is used to establish communication with Tactical Operations Division personnel responding to the scene.

Answer 22

1) overall command of operations

2) Tactical Operations Division or the Special Operations Division.

3) command post and a press information center

4) citywide

Question 23

Operational Commander

The operational commander for a special threat situation shall be the highest ranking officer in the Homeland Security Command’s chain of command at the scene and may be one of the following:

a. The assistant chief of the _____

b. The captain of the _____.

c. A _____.

Answer 23

1) Homeland Security Command.

2) Tactical Operations Division

3) designee

Question 24

Operational Commander

Upon arrival the operational commander shall:

d. Assume overall command of on-scene operations and determine which _____to use.

e. Obtain maps of the area and a _____ from the SWAT Detail.

f. Gather all intelligence from debriefings of _____ personnel.

g. Determine if the _____ should conduct an on-scene investigation.

h. Call on any other resource needed to successfully conclude the operation (e.g., _____).

i. Maintain liaison with_____.

Answer 24

d. Assume overall command of on-scene operations and determine which containment and assault tactics to use.

e. Obtain maps of the area and a floor plan of the objective from the SWAT Detail.

f. Gather all intelligence from debriefings of SWAT Detail and HNT personnel.

g. Determine if the Homicide Division should conduct an on-scene investigation.

h. Call on any other resource needed to successfully conclude the operation (e.g., Patrol, Psychological Services, Legal Services).

i. Maintain liaison with concerned agencies and other jurisdictions.

Question 25

Operational Commander

Once the inner perimeter has been manned by SWAT Detail personnel, only the operational commander can order the _____. However, with respect to self-defense or the defense of others, all police officers involved in a special threat situation are governed by the policy established in General Order _____

The operational commander shall provide the commander of any involved unit with a critique of the completed operation if requested to do so.

Answer 25

1) planned discharge of firearms

2) 600-17, Response to Resistance.

Question 26

Special Operations Division

During all special threat situations, officers from the Special Operations Division may be requested to _____.

Answer 26

maintain the outer perimeter

Question 27

Emergency Communications Division (ECD)

ECD shall develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling special threat situations.

When notified of a possible special threat situation, ECD shall:

a. Dispatch a _____ to the scene.

b. Inform the _____.

c. Assign an emergency radio frequency with _____capability to be dedicated solely to the special threat situation.

d. Obtain _____ from field units including, but not limited to, the location, description and number of suspects, number of hostages, a safe route, and an on-scene supervisor’s telephone number.

Answer 27

a. Dispatch a supervisor to the scene.

b. Inform the Command Center.

c. Assign an emergency radio frequency with recording capability to be dedicated solely to the special threat situation.

d. Obtain pertinent information from field units including, but not limited to, the location, description and number of suspects, number of hostages, a safe route, and an on-scene supervisor’s telephone number.

Question 28

Command Center

The Command Center shall develop and maintain SOPs to govern procedures for _____. The Command Center shall maintain call-up rosters of SWAT Detail and HNT personnel as provided by the Tactical Operations Division.

When notified of a special threat situation, the Command Center shall _____ including, but not limited to, the Tactical Operations Division, appropriate patrol division’s chain of command, on-call Office of Public Affairs representative, and other department personnel as needed.

The Command Center shall ensure that a direct telephone number is obtained from the reporting on-scene supervisor and then immediately provide the telephone number to the _____ in an effort to facilitate communications.

Answer 28

1) special threat situations

2) make needed notifications

3) Tactical Operations Division supervisor responding to the scene

Question 29

SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS (SWAT) DETAIL

It is the responsibility of the Tactical Operations Division supervisor notified of the special threat situation to ensure that a call-up procedure is initiated so the _____

Once a command post is established and the scene is contained, the _____ shall contact the Command Center and provide an updated evaluation of the incident. Additionally, upon conclusion of the incident, a SWAT Detail supervisor shall advise the Command Center of the outcome of the incident.

The Tactical Operations Division, SWAT Detail shall develop and maintain SOPs for _____. These SOPs shall include, but are not limited to, the parameters outlined in this General Order.

Answer 29

1) necessary Tactical Operations Division personnel respond to the scene.

2) SWAT Detail supervisor

3) special threat situations

Question 30

HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION TEAM (HNT)

The HNT’s primary responsibility is to _____. As such, the Tactical Operations Division, HNT shall develop and maintain SOPs for special threat situations. These SOPs shall include, but not be limited to, the parameters outlined in this General Order.

Answer 30

establish communications with a suspect

Question 31

HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION TEAM (HNT)

HNT Personnel

Police officers who are selected and trained as volunteer HNT members shall be permitted by their immediate (regular duty) supervisor to attend _____ or _____

The HNT relies solely on its volunteer team concept for peacefully resolving life-threatening situations. Volunteers serve at the discretion of the _____

Answer 31

1) regular, mandatory training programs

2) respond (when requested) to special threat situations or other life-threatening scenes.

3) HNT coordinator.

Question 32

HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION TEAM (HNT)

Alteration or Control of Telephone Lines

During a special threat or other related life-threatening situation to which the HNT is requested, HNT members shall oversee the alteration or control of telephone lines to the objective. If these operations are beyond the capabilities of the HNT, the local telephone company shall be contacted by one of the following:

a. The _____ in charge of the scene

b. The ____coordinator

c. The commander of the _____

Responding telephone company personnel shall be advised to report to the operational
command post for instructions. Telephone company personnel shall be escorted by officers in and around the immediate area of the objective.

Answer 32

a. The operational commander in charge of the scene

b. The HNT coordinator

c. The commander of the SWAT Detail

Question 33

OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Following notification by the Command Center, a _____ shall respond to all special threat situations for which the SWAT Detail and/or HNT have been requested. The PIO is responsible for _____ to the media via interview(s) provided by the Tactical Operations Division captain, lieutenant, or designee. The PIO shall also be responsible for broadcasting interviews via department approved electronic media per SOPs.

Answer 33

1) Houston Police Department public information officer (PIO)

2) coordinating and disseminating information

Question 34

DEPARTMENT PSYCHOLOGIST

A department psychologist may be used during any phase of a special threat situation. It is the responsibility of the _____ to contact Psychological Services if needed.

Answer 34

operational commander or the commander’s designee

Question 35

OFFICE OF LEGAL SERVICES

When notified of a special threat situation, the commander of the department’s Office of Legal Services, or the commander’s designee, shall be available by telephone during the event to:

a. _____ to the operational commander.

b. Serve as a consultant regarding the _____ arising from the special threat situation.

c. Act as department liaison and representative in communications with _____

It is the responsibility of the operational commander or the commander’s designee to contact the Office of Legal Services if needed.

Answer 35

1) Act as staff advisor

2) legal aspects of all criminal or civil issues

3) magistrates, federal and state prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other members of the legal profession.

Question 36

JURISDICTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

If a hostage victim is a foreign official or an official guest of the United States, jurisdiction is ______.

If control of the situation was initiated by the local agency, operational command is retained by the local agency unless _____. If the FBI assumes command, it also becomes responsible for terminating the operation.

Answer 36

1) shared concurrently by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the local law enforcement agency.

2) the FBI clearly indicates that it wants to assume command of the situation

Question 37

JURISDICTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

If the special agent in charge of the FBl’s Houston office or the designee (i.e., the senior agent at the scene) indicates that jurisdiction remains concurrent, decisions shall be made jointly by the _____. During operations in which responsibility is deemed to be concurrent, every effort should be made to ensure mutual agreement in the decision-making process prior to _____.

Answer 37

1) operational commander and the senior FBI agent at the scene

2) conducting tactical operations

Question 38

JURISDICTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

If a hostage situation results from the commission of a federal crime (e.g., bank robbery),
jurisdiction is _____.

If control of the operation was initiated by the local agency, control is retained by it until the _____ indicates that the FBI wants to assume exclusive responsibility. The operational commander is responsible for releasing control of the operation to the FBI.

Answer 38

1) shared concurrently by the FBI and the local agency

2) senior FBI agent