TACTACTACOPSOPSOPS Newsletter

VOLUME 6 NO. 4 OCTOBER 2011 TacOps NEWSLETTER Quarterly

In recent months there have been several incidents of terrorism which have shocked the world. In these post 9/11 times we must constantly prepare for potential terrorist at-tacks. The City of Los Angeles has long been a target for terrorists. There are many targets of opportu-nity spread about the approximately 468 square miles that make up the City of Los Angeles. How can we prepare for a terrorist attack? What actions are necessary to stop such an attack? Are we ready to respond to this type of ma-jor incident? The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has developed in conjunc-tion with other law enforcement

INSIDE THIS ISSUE …. Planning for a MACTAC Incident.. Maintaining Your Equipment…... Are Your Magazines Loaded?……. MACTAC (continued)…………... Roll Call Briefing……………... MACTAC (continued)…………... Equipment (continued)…... Remember Our Fallen Heroes….. In the Line of Duty……………... Check out the new Use of Force Review Division Website at: http://10.200.11.23/files/DivsSects/UOFRD/index.html

Planning for a Multi-Assault Counter Terrorism Action Capabilities (MACTAC) Incident

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USE OF FORCE REVIEW DIVISIONUSE OF FORCE REVIEW DIVISION

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LAPDLAPDLAPD

ple agencies to work together to han-dle a MACTAC incident.

agencies, the Multi-Assault Counter Terrorism Action Capabil it ies (MACTAC) concept to combat ter-rorist actions. MACTAC is a regional and national concept allowing multi-

How many times have you reached for your handcuffs and when you attempted to open them, they did not move. Upon closer inspection of your hand-cuffs, you observe rust build-up where the handcuffs pivot causing the handcuffs to remain inoper-able. Whether your police equip-ment is used daily, or possibly not for months at a time. You should routinely inspect and maintain your equipment. Here are some tips in maintaining your equip-ment. Your life may depend on it.

Pistol Your pistol should be cleaned and oiled every time you qualify. The amount of oil required depends on the type of pistol you carry. The Glock pistol has specific locations for oil and requires very little as op-posed to other pistols, such as the Beretta and Smith & Wesson pistols which also have specific locations but require a bit more oil. Stainless Steel pistols require constant atten-tion as they have the tendency to dry out due to weather conditions and

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Maintaining Your Equipment

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Are Your Primary Weapon Magazines Fully Loaded? As a police officer, you never know when you will be involved in an Officer Involved Shooting. As in any situation, preparation is a critical component to your success. Do you have LAPD authorized ammuni-tion? Are your magazines fully loaded? Do you have enough ammuni-tion to sustain an extensive shooting situation? The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) requires both uniformed and plainclothes officers to carry fully loaded magazines in their primary weapons. Uniformed Officers According to LAPD Manual (3/611.30), each uniformed officer shall carry their primary weapon (Revolver or Semi-Automatic Pistol) fully loaded at all times when assigned to field duty. In addition, uniformed officers who have semi-automatic pistols shall carry two fully loaded reserve magazines in their magazine pouch on their Police Equipment Belt. Officers who carry revolvers shall carry a minimum of 12 rounds in their cartridge case on their Police Equipment Belt. Exception: Uniformed Personnel who carry a semi-automatic pistol as a primary weapon in an assignment that does not involve physical contact with the public, or does not require the wearing of the Police Equipment Belt, shall carry at least one fully loaded magazine in a magazine pouch on their belt. Plainclothes Officers Each plainclothes officer shall carry their primary weapon (Revolver or Semi-Automatic Pistol) fully loaded at all times when assigned to field duty. In addition, plainclothes officers shall carry at least one fully loaded magazine in their magazine pouch on their belt if they have a semi-auto pistol or 6 additional rounds in a cartridge carrier if they have a revolver [Los Angeles Police Department Manual (3/611.40)]. Exception: At the discretion of their commanding officer, undercover officers and Special Duties officers may be ex-empt from the Department Manual provision pertaining to handguns, ammunition and related equipment [(Manual Section 3/610.67)]. Additional Ammunition Officers are encouraged to carry extra ammunition on their person. When worn on the Police Equipment Belt, the ammunition pouch/case generally should be worn on the back of the Sam Browne police belt next to the handcuff case. Additional fully loaded magazines can be carried concealed. Officers should consider having additional ammuni-tion in their equipment bag while on-duty and carry extra ammunition on their person when they are off-duty.

LAPD Department Approved Ammunition .380 cal., Hornady, Critical Defense, 90 gr. Hollowpoint .38 cal., Speer Gold Dot, 38 Special +P, 135 gr., GDHP, 53921 9 mm cal., Winchester, Ranger, 147 gr. SXT, RA9T .40 S&W cal., Winchester, Ranger, 180 gr. SXT, RA40T .45 cal., Federal Premium, 45 Auto, 230 gr. HST, P45HST2 (Non +P) 12 Guage, Federal Premium, 12 Gauge, 2 3/4” “00” Buck, 9 Pellet, LE 132 00 12 Gauge Slug, Winchester Ranger, 12 Gauge, 2 3/4”, Low Recoil, 1 oz, RA12RS15 5.56 Rifle, Winchester, 5.56, 55 gr. Full Metal Jacket, Q3131A Less Lethal, LAPD Super-Sock, 12 Gauge, 2 3/4”, CTS Model 2588

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MACTAC continued from page 1 Specifically the MACTAC doctrine provides officers with additional tactics to use during a terrorist incident. By utilizing MACTAC tactics, it is LAPD’s intent to stop or interrupt the deadly actions of the assailants.

If a MACTAC incident were to occur, the LAPD would immediately send the necessary resources to the incident. All LAPD personnel would cease their police work that is not of major importance. A MACTAC incident may be as single occurrence or multiple occurrences that are re-lated. Officers are encouraged to have additional ammu-nition, water, etc., should they be deployed for long peri-ods of time.

The 4 “A” The momentum of a MACTAC event can be significantly reduced within the first 30 minutes of the incident. The first officers on scene must quickly assess the situation. The first responders to a MACTAC incident should util-ize the 4 ‘A’s” concept in response to the threat. The 4 “A’s” concept consists of: Assess, Announce, Assemble, and Act. Officers should “Assess” the situation and de-termine the threat and what can be done to stop or con-trol it. After the assessment of the threat, officers must “Announce” what they are observing by broadcasting to Communications a “Help Call”, the nature of the inci-dent, the resources needed, and other pertinent informa-tion. Next officers must quickly “Assemble” a contact team and prepare to respond to the threat. Finally, offi-cers must “Act” upon the threat by making contact with the attackers and restricting their ability to continue their deadly behavior, movement, and escape.

As information is received and updated, officers will be deployed as contact teams, squads and mobile field forces. Four to seven officers make up a contact team. Three contact teams make up a squad and four squads make up a mobile field force. Contact teams may be in-volved in assault, rescue, support or protection based missions. If the incident should continue to develop, LAPD will send additional resources to combat the threat. The MACTAC incident(s) will be monitored by LAPD Counter Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau (CTSOB), Communication Division (CD) and Real-time Analysis and Critical Response Division (RACR). These entities will analyze activities in the city and region for multiple deadly force incidents that are occurring simulta-neously.

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The first officers responding to a MACTAC incident have the responsibility to: 1. Assess the situation, 2. Announce to Communications Division what is occur-ring, 3. Assemble Contact Teams, and finally 4. Act based on their assessment of the incident. Officers are required to stay in their own Area until de-ployed by either their watch commander or Communica-tions Division, based on the best available information at the time. Use of Force-Tactics Directive No. 12 (June 2011) Terrorist Attack: A surprise attack involving the deliber-

ate use of violence against civilians in the hope of attain-ing political or other aims. Tactical Concept to Assault an Armed Suspect

Cover, Contact, and Support is the concept behind neu-tralizing an active shooter. In its simplest format, squads generally are comprised of a squad leader and three teams. When assaulting a location or person, the squad should be broken into three assignments; Cover Team, Contact Team, and Support Team, with the squad leader directing/overseeing the movements. Cover Team, utilizing cover and cover fire, engages the suspect in an effort to control the suspects movements. Contact Team uses flanking movements to get into a po-sition to further isolate/neutralize the threat. Suspect movement is extremely restricted. Any suspect movement to avoid one team should put the suspect in jeopardy from the other team. Support Team secures the operation (rear guard) and supports as needed.

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August 31, 2011 The Roll Call Briefing Sheet is designed as a method to disseminate tactical trends quickly to field personnel. The information represents current tactical trends identified locally, nationally or through our Use of Force ad-judication process. It is critical that commands ensure the information is disseminated – as soon as possible. Ambush -- Roll Call Discussion Points Officers should know the signs of a possible ambush and have a PLAN to defeat it and...survive. There are three types of ambushes;

Deliberate: Suspects are prepared with a well-planned ambush at a predetermined location Spontaneous: An unplanned attack Opportunity: Executed only if circumstances benefit the attacker

Signs of a possible ambush may include: • blocked alleys/roadways • anonymous calls to odd or unpopulated locations • lights out as you approach (alley, hallway etc) • manufactured kill zones - cars blocking egress points leaving no way out • drawing you down long driveways/entryways or any place you are vulnerable • no call back number, B/O number, or a call back number not local • streets are unusually quiet or absent of activity

Precautions include:

• Talk with your partners about ambushes • Talk about possible tactical responses • When your gut tells you to STOP AND REASSESS; trust your instincts • Consider scouting locations; either drive by first… look with binoculars when appropriate or have a

plain car drive by when that is reasonable • NEVER PARK IN FRONT OF A LOCATION! • Avoid kill zones! And have a plan to get out of them

Should an ambush occur, officers should have a plan to defeat the attack, escape the kill zone and survive. Watch Commanders – please discuss these points with your personnel. Stay safe!

FUTURE TACOPS NEWSLETTERS WILL INCLUDE RECENT COPIES OF ROLL CALL BRIEFING SHEETS, WHICH ARE DISSEMINATED DEPARTMENT-WIDE WITH CRITICAL OFFICER SAFETY AND TACTICAL INFORMATION RELATIVE TO RECENT INCIDENTS OR TRENDS.

Roll Call Briefing Sheet

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MACTAC continued from page 3

PAB Incident (Example)

Platoon Leader PAB Alpha Squad Leader PAB1 PAB 2 PAB3 Contact Teams PAB11 PAB21 PAB31 PAB12 PAB22 PAB32 PAB13 PAB23 PAB33

At the Rally Point

Tactically Park Cars Don Ballistic Vests and Helmets Make all Firearms Patrol Ready

Check Communication Equipment Configure into Four Officer Contact Teams

Await Instructions for Deployment

Identify Teams

It is necessary to identify the contact teams during their deployment to the MACTAC incident. Prior to their deployment, each contact team will receive a designa-tion. The first contact team will be designated Team 11. With the given name of the incident preceding the name Team 11. For example: If the incident is named PAB, Team 11 will be known as PAB11, and so on, for contact teams PAB12, and PAB13. Additional contact teams deployed would receive their designation PAB21, PAB22 and PAB23 etc .

Avoid Over Deployment

It is important for the LAPD to avoid the over deploy-ment of resources to one incident. The possibility of attacks on other locations could occur. The control of resources should be monitored as the incident pro-gresses.

Multiple Targets

Terrorist tactics often times incorporate multiple targets, a protracted operational time period and mass casualties. MACTAC tactics are designed to enable the Depart-ments resources to respond to multiple threats, more quickly neutralize the incident and help limit the number of casualties. The first 30 minutes and our associated response will be critical.

MACTAC Tactics

MACTAC tactics are not a substitute for conventional tactics for a barricaded suspect.

IARD Tactics

IARD tactics are tactical techniques that may be used separately or in conjunction with MACTAC tactics as directed by the event.

MACTAC Use

MACTAC tactics can be used in a variety of tactical situations and may provide superior maneuverability during a tactical encounter.

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Use of Force-Tactics Directive No. 12 MACTAC (June 2011) http://pdinfoweb/files/RefLib/Directive/Directive_12_MACTAC.pdf

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Maintaining Your Police Equipment continued from page 1

Make sure the sights are installed cor-rectly on the shotgun. For the Rem-ington 870 Shotguns, remember to complete the Six Point Safety Check (BEEFSS - barrel, ejector, extractor, firing pin, safety, shell carrier) . Shotgun Ammunition Inspect your shotgun ammunition, making sure that it is Department ap-proved. The shotgun shells should be fully encapsulated. Make note that pieces are not falling out of the crimped part of the shell and there are no punctures in the plastic area of the shell. Defective ammo shall be re-placed immediately. Handcuffs Handcuffs should be cleaned periodi-cally and inspected for rust. The rust will build up and cause the cuffs to remain in their current position. You may want to place a little polymer based oil on them to keep them clean and free from rust. Duty Helmet Your duty helmet is a tool that is car-ried in your gear bag. Proper care should be taken to protect the face shield as it is prone to scratches. Peri-odically inspect the face shield for cracks and possible scratches which will impair your vision.

OC Spray Your OC spray should be operable and tested periodically. You should have an ample amount in the con-tainer should you require the use of the spray. Also check the expiration as it degrades over time. The canister is dated and effective for a period of five years from that date. If neces-sary, replace it by contacting your Training Coordinator. Flashlight Your flashlight is a necessary tool when you have little to no light avail-able. Inspect it for its charge and operation. The buttons both on the top and rear should operate. If your flashlight is not operational, you can take it to Pelican Products and it will be repaired at no cost. Hobble Restraint The hobble restraint is a critical tool for officers. Hobble restraints often become damaged, contaminated or lost. Watch Commanders should consider a Watch Inspection of hob-bles, to inspect them for damage. Make sure it moves easily as you ad-just it, and check it for contamina-tion. Contact your Training Coordi-nator for a Hobble replacement. Side Handle /Collapsible Baton Your baton should be operable and ready for use. Check the Yawara handle for tightness to the baton. Inspect the Collapsible Baton integ-rity when it expands to the open po-sition.

location where you work. Consult your pistol manual for proper oiling of your pistol and remember to in-spect your back-up pistols as well. Magazines Only LAPD approved magazines shall be used for the Department approved semi-auto pistols. Your pistol magazines should be moni-tored and maintained to properly feed ammunition. The internal springs should be inspected for dam-age and replaced immediately. There should be tension on the springs so that the ammunition continues to feed. The magazine should be clear of any obstruction.

Pistol Ammunition Inspect your ammunition and verify it is LAPD approved. Remember to turn in your old ammunition during the “Factory Qualification” months and ensure your magazines are fully loaded once you leave the range. Shotgun Whether you carry your own shot-guns or use the Department shot-guns, be sure to inspect the weapon prior to leaving the station. The barrel should be clear of any obstruc-tions and all parts should be opera-tional.

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According to Webster’s Dictionary, a “Police Officer” is defined as a person whose job is to enforce laws, investi-gate crimes, and make arrests: a mem-ber of the police.

As police officers we perform quite a few more functions than what is de-scribed above. In performing these functions, we often are placed in dan-gerous situations which become life threatening at times. The biggest sacrifice that an officer can give is his life in the line of duty. As of today, over 200 LAPD Officers have died in the line of duty. These Officers have performed their duty as Los Angeles Police Officers and are

TACOPS Charlie Beck Chief of Police

Sandy Jo MacArthur

Assistant Chief, Office of Administrative Services

Captain Scott L. Sargent Commanding Officer

Use of Force Review Division

Sergeant Derek O’Donnell Managing Editor

Tactics Review Section, UOFRD

Officer Michael Apodaca Officer Maggie R. Luquin

Editors Tactics Review Section, UOFRD

TacOps Newsletter is published quarterly by the Los Angeles Police Department, Use of Force Review Division, Tactics Review Section.

100 W First Street, 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: (213) 486-5980

If you have any suggestions on how to improve our newsletter or the TacOps Resource Guide, please send your comments via e-mail to TacOpsNews-letter@lapd.lacity.org or contact Sergeant Derek O’Donnell or Officer Michael Apodaca, Use of Force Review Division, Tactics Review Section at 213-486-5980. © 2010 Los Angeles Police Department - All Rights Reserved

In The Line Of Duty… Officer Louis Villalobos Jr. Los Angeles Police Department Age: 52 Tour of Duty: 29 Year End of Watch: March 18, 2000

Officer Louis Villalobos, 52, died March 18, 2000 from injuries he incurred when he slipped and fell off of a 10-foot catwalk during training exercises as a member of the Los Angeles Police Department's Metro-politan Division, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team. Villalobos was taking advanced training at the U.S. Marine Base, Camp Pendleton, observing a live-fire drill at a "shooting house." Officer Villalobos had been with the Los Angeles Police Department for 29 years, and had been a mem-ber of the SWAT team for 17 years.

Please see the following websites for more information regarding honoring Fallen Officers:

Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation: http://www.lapmf.org/

California Peace Officers’ Memorial: http://www.camemorial.org/

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund: http://www.nleomf.org/

Check out the UOFRD Website for Use of Force Orders, Directives and the TacOps Resource Guide.

remembered for their sacrifice. The Los Angeles Police Department hon-ors its fallen heroes with the Los An-geles Police Memorial to Fallen Offi-cers. It consists of brass plates

mounted to an 11,000 pound brass structure. The monument is open to the public and can be viewed near the east side of the new Police Administra-tion Building.

Remember Our Fallen Heroes