(See General Order 331.00: Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team)
The Saint Paul Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team is a disciplined team of officers specifically trained in the use of specialized equipment and tactics and capable of responding to occurrences that require the necessary skills and technical expertise to abate a critical incident with a minimal use of personnel and force.
Scope:
Respond to incidents where the personal safety, property, or welfare of citizens is deemed critical in nature as a result of threatening or aggressive action(s) by an individual or group.
Organization:
The responsibility for maintenance of the SWAT function rests with the Deputy Chief of the Operations Division who may delegate the operational authority to a ranking officer in charge, hereinafter referred to as the SWAT Commander. In the absence of the appointed SWAT Commander, an acting commander may be designated by either the Deputy Chief or the SWAT Commander.
SWAT Commanders Responsibilities and Duties:
The primary responsibility of the SWAT Commander is to suppress the incident in the most expeditious and lawful manner possible with the minimum use of force necessary and the least amount of damage to property.
The Commander will make the most efficient use of all resources available to her/him from both within and outside the Department.
The SWAT Commander will submit reports to the Deputy Chief of the Operations Division detailing the SWAT activities and actions taken. The SWAT Commander will keep abreast of current operational methods and include them in an ongoing training program for SWAT Team members.
Upon activation of the SWAT Team for a particular incident, the scene responsibility shall rest with the SWAT Commander. Other ranking officers present will coordinate their activities through the SWAT Commander.
Upon being summoned to an incident where SWAT involvement is deemed the most appropriate course of action by the requesting supervisor, the total scene responsibility will rest with the SWAT Commander.
Responsibilities of SWAT Team Members:
During their normal tour of duty, officers designated as SWAT members will be immediately responsible to their unit or district supervisors and will function under the direction and control of said supervisor unless:
- The incident is such that a full or partial S.W.A.T. call-out has occurred.
- The mitigating circumstances are of such proportion that immediate reaction is required by the S.W.A.T. members present in their best judgment of the situation.
All other police personnel at the scene will function at the direction of their supervisors who will coordinate activities with the SWAT Commander.
The follow-up investigative procedures will be performed by the appropriate investigative unit.
Summoning SWAT:
Officers should summon their immediate supervisors to all incidents that have, or appear to have, the potential for becoming, or have developed into a critical situation. The supervisory officer at the scene has the responsibility to survey the situation and recommend the necessary action, except where the circumstances of the incident require immediate action by the on-duty SWAT officers. On-duty SWAT should be summoned or called-out in the following situations:
- Hostages, where an obvious, or suspected, hostage situation exists.
- Barricaded suspect(s).
- Sniper(s).
- In any situation where the supervisor on the scene determines that the SWAT Team can provide tactical advice or assistance to abate the situation with the least amount of danger to persons or damage to property as possible.
Call-Out:
A situation that requires the immediate action of SWAT will be relayed to the district sergeant by any sworn officer at the scene. The district sergeant will notify the Watch Commander of the circumstances at the scene. The Watch Commander will then contact the on-call Chief to determine whether a SWAT call-out is warranted. The SWAT Commander will initiate the SWAT call-out. SWAT Team members responding to a SWAT call-out will report to the designated area for instructions. If there is not a Watch Commander on duty, the district sergeant may be directed to assist in making required notifications and obtaining permissions.
The prime concern of any officer upon identifying a situation as potentially hazardous to persons or property should be to summon qualified assistance to abate the situation without further aggravation. The officers should use their discretion to determine whether hazardous situations might be exceptional cases requiring the use of the SWAT for the protection of all involved.
High Risk Warrant Service:
If a unit within the Saint Paul Police Department has a signed search warrant they feel requires SWAT to make entry, that unit commander will contact a SWAT Commander. The SWAT Commander will work with the unit to determine if the entry should be made by the SWAT Team. The SWAT Commander will advise the unit commander what needs to be present in order to use SWAT or possible other tactics that would secure the scene or apprehend the suspect(s). After discussing the issue with a SWAT Commander, the unit commander will then contact the on-call Chief to make a formal request to use SWAT to make entry. If approved, the SWAT Commander will determine the date and time of day the SWAT team will make entry.
SWAT Weapons:
Special weapons assigned to SWAT functions are stored in the SWAT armory. Target range personnel are responsible for their maintenance and operational readiness.
The upkeep of other equipment used exclusively by the SWAT Team will be the responsibility of the SWAT Commander.
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SWAT Van and Pickup Truck -- Special Purpose Vehicles:
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- The Chief of Police, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief of Operations, SWAT Commander and/or any of her/his supervisors may authorize use of the vehicles for any critical response.
- The SWAT Training and Administrative Coordinator is responsible for the conditions and maintenance of the SWAT vehicles.
August 10, 2017