NCJ Number
49402
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
GOALS, PERSONNEL, AND DEPLOYMENT OF SPECIAL TACTICAL UNITS (TAC) BY POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE REVIEWED; AN OPERATIONS OF TAC UNITS IN PHILADELPHIA, LOS ANGELES, AND NEW YORK ARE SUMMARIZED.
Abstract
ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS, EVERY POLICE AGENCY EMPLOYING MORE THAN 75 PERSONS SHOULD HAVE AN IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE, FLEXIBLE, AND HIGHLY MOBILE TACTICAL FORCE FOR SPECIAL CRIME PROBLEMS. EVERY CHIEF EXECUTIVE SHOULD ESTABLISH WRITTEN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DEPLOYMENT OF A TAC FORCE. A FULL-TIME TAC UNIT SHOULD INCLUDE AN ANALYTICAL DEPARTMENT AND A CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS FROM WHICH TO OPERATE. FIELD COMMANDERS SHOULD BE INFORMED OF TAC UNIT ACTIVITIES WITHIN THEIR AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY. A LIST OF SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDED FOR TAC UNITS IS PROVIDED. THE KEY TO WEAPONRY DECISIONS IS HOW EFFECTIVE A WEAPON WILL BE IN INCAPACITATING A FELON. DEPLOYMENT SHOULD BE LIMITED TO SPECIAL CRIME PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED THROUGH CRIME PATTERN ANALYSIS OR VALIDATED INTELLIGENCE. SATURATION PATROL HAS PROVEN TO BE ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHODS OF TAC UNIT DEPLOYMENT. INNOVATIVE USES OF TAC UNITS CAN INCLUDE SATURATION OF HIGH-CRIME AREAS WITH UNIFORMED TACTICAL FORCES AND/OR THE USE OF DECOYS, SURVEILLANCES AND STAKEOUTS. UNIT MEMBERS SHOULD BE RATED ON PERFORMANCE BOTH IN TERMS OF APPREHENSIONS AND QUALITY OF INVESTIGATIONS AD CRIME PREVENTIVE EFFECTS. THE PHILADELPHIA STAKEOUT UNIT WAS ORIGINALLY ORGANIZED TO PROVIDE ROBBERY PROTECTION FOR BANKS AND BUSINESS. BECAUSE OF INCREASES IN GUN-RELATED CRIMES, THE UNIT WAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATROL FORCE SUPPORT IN FELONIES INVOLVING WEAPONS, PROTECTION OF DIGNITARIES, ESCORTS FOR VIOLENT PRISONERS, AND ANTISNIPER DUTIES. THE LOS ANGELES SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS (SWAT) SECTION PROVIDES A POOL OF HIGHLY TRAINED PERSONNEL FOR USE IN COPING WITH GUERILLA TACTICS. SWAT TEAMS PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR DIGNITARIES, PERFORM RESCUE MISSIONS, AND ENGAGE IN OTHER OPERATIONS REQUIRING MARKSMANSHIP AND OTHER SPECIAL SKILLS. AN EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON STRINGENT PERSONNEL SCREENING AND TRAINING. SWAT EQUIPMENT AND LOGISTICS ARE TAILORED TO MEET SPECIALIZED NEEDS. THE NEW YORK CITY CRIME UNIT EMPLOYS DISGUISED DECOYS IN HIGH-RISK AREAS AND HAS BEEN HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL AND COST-EFFECTIVE. (JAP)