Home
Overview
When clearing a building, there are a few ground rules that are the same, no matter the situation:
Initial entry into a building
One person will be assigned to breach the front door. There are a number of methods which can be used:
In most cases, unaided physical strength will suffice for gaining entry to a building. Often, however, a battering ram will be used, to ensure entry. The TAC officer will position himself on the side of the door opposite the knob, and swing the battering ram on the side closest to the knob. If a shotgun is needed, fire one shot at each of the doors hinges, and kick the door out of its frame. Explosives or an acetylene torch are only to be used on heavy metal doors.
There will also be a point man, who will usually have a ballistic shield to block gunfire. The breacher will step out of the way, and be the last person into the building, allowing the point man to get into the door with the shield. Other team members are to enter behind the shield.
In stairwells
When entering a stairwell from the bottom, the lead TAC officer will have his weapon aimed directly ahead of him as he moves upstairs. The other officers should have their guns pointed at the upper floors, in the event that a gunman may try to fire on officers from above.
When entering a stairwell from the middle, the above is true, except the rear TAC officer will walk backwards and keep his gun aimed behind him, to cover the team's rear. It is not advisable to enter a stairwell from the middle if other floors have not been cleared.
When entering a stairwell from the top, the lead TAC officer will have his weapon aimed directly ahead of him as he moves downstairs. The other officers should have their guns aimed at lower floors. It is advisable to throw a flash grenade onto lower landings prior to clearing a building from the top down.
Rounding corners
When rounding a corner, the first two members of the team should do so while shoulder to shoulder, to cover a wide field of view. Once the two team members round the corner, they should split up quickly, to prevent a suspect from firing on both officers at the same time. At no time should either team member move in front of the other. This leads to friendly fire.
Clearing a room that is believed to be filled with suspects
Team members will assemble on either side of the door and follow the same instructions as for making initial entry into the building. A breacher will either open the door using the knob or handle, or will force entry. The breacher is also responsible for throwing in a flash grenade before entry, if so desired.
The point man will then enter the room with the ballistic shield. The second person to enter will step into the room behind the shield, then quickly move to the right side of the room. The third will also enter behind the shield, but will move left. If the team is larger, the second and third officers to enter will move across the room and make way for more team members.
Are there any questions?
When clearing a building, there are a few ground rules that are the same, no matter the situation:
- Always stay in a group. The worst possible thing that can happen is for a TAC member to get cut off from the team. Don't ever stray from the assault team. If the team gets split as part of a tactical maneuver, there will be at least one other person with you. You should never be on your own.
- Keep your weapon up at all times. It's important to move around in a tactical position at all times. This means keeping your rifle or submachine gun at your shoulder and looking down the ironsights or scope.
- Do not step out of your assigned role unless covering for a fallen team member or unless you are otherwise ordered. If you're assigned to breach the room, that's your job. Don't also rush in first. If you're assigned to be the point man, don't run across the room. This leads to chaos, and that ruins the entry plan.
- Be alert. When you don't know what's behind a door, expect anything. Or nothing. An armed gunman could come from anywhere. There are dangers in the most unexpected and seemingly impossible places. TAC members must respond, and quickly.
- Take your time to identify your target. The last thing anyone needs is for an officer to accidently shoot a civilian - or, even worse, another team member. While a fast response is necessary, our job is to eliminate threats, not each other.
Initial entry into a building
One person will be assigned to breach the front door. There are a number of methods which can be used:
- Unaided physical strength (i.e. "kicking the door down")
- A battering ram
- A shotgun
- Explosives
- Acetylene torch
In most cases, unaided physical strength will suffice for gaining entry to a building. Often, however, a battering ram will be used, to ensure entry. The TAC officer will position himself on the side of the door opposite the knob, and swing the battering ram on the side closest to the knob. If a shotgun is needed, fire one shot at each of the doors hinges, and kick the door out of its frame. Explosives or an acetylene torch are only to be used on heavy metal doors.
There will also be a point man, who will usually have a ballistic shield to block gunfire. The breacher will step out of the way, and be the last person into the building, allowing the point man to get into the door with the shield. Other team members are to enter behind the shield.
In stairwells
When entering a stairwell from the bottom, the lead TAC officer will have his weapon aimed directly ahead of him as he moves upstairs. The other officers should have their guns pointed at the upper floors, in the event that a gunman may try to fire on officers from above.
When entering a stairwell from the middle, the above is true, except the rear TAC officer will walk backwards and keep his gun aimed behind him, to cover the team's rear. It is not advisable to enter a stairwell from the middle if other floors have not been cleared.
When entering a stairwell from the top, the lead TAC officer will have his weapon aimed directly ahead of him as he moves downstairs. The other officers should have their guns aimed at lower floors. It is advisable to throw a flash grenade onto lower landings prior to clearing a building from the top down.
Rounding corners
When rounding a corner, the first two members of the team should do so while shoulder to shoulder, to cover a wide field of view. Once the two team members round the corner, they should split up quickly, to prevent a suspect from firing on both officers at the same time. At no time should either team member move in front of the other. This leads to friendly fire.
Clearing a room that is believed to be filled with suspects
Team members will assemble on either side of the door and follow the same instructions as for making initial entry into the building. A breacher will either open the door using the knob or handle, or will force entry. The breacher is also responsible for throwing in a flash grenade before entry, if so desired.
The point man will then enter the room with the ballistic shield. The second person to enter will step into the room behind the shield, then quickly move to the right side of the room. The third will also enter behind the shield, but will move left. If the team is larger, the second and third officers to enter will move across the room and make way for more team members.
Are there any questions?
