<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 12.04.08.03" title_num="12" subtitle_num="04" chapter_num="08" heading="Special Tactical Response Team.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>To increase the likelihood of safely resolving critical situations that may exceed the capabilities of traditional law enforcement officers and investigative units, a law enforcement agency seeking to establish a special tactical response team that may be activated and deployed shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Develop written policies and procedures for special tactical responses that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Are designed to meet the law enforcement agency’s operational needs;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Are consistent with the requirements set forth in this regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Address, at minimum the following policy topics:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Types of missions requiring special tactical response;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Team organization and function;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Personnel selection and retention criteria;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Training requirements;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Competencies;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Procedures for activation and deployment;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vii)">
          <text>If applicable, multi-agency cooperation and response;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(viii)">
          <text>If applicable, criteria for response to other jurisdictions; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ix)">
          <text>Specialized tactical functions, as applicable;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Ensure team members successfully complete the individual and team training requirements established in Regulation .04A of this chapter prior to initial deployment; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Ensure special tactical response teams:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Conduct an assessment of the tactical needs presented by the circumstances present in each unique situation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Adhere to the training and deployment requirements as set forth in this chapter and according to agency policy and procedures.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A special tactical response team shall be composed of police officers with the advanced tactical training and expertise who are able to engage responsibly in the operational functions described in §C of this regulation and shall, at minimum, include:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A tactical commander of supervisory rank who has overall responsibility for team personnel, training, operations, deployment, and after-action documentation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A team leader who is a team member of senior team status or rank, reports directly to the tactical commander, and develops and executes tactical response training and operations; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Team members who provide specialized law enforcement capabilities to contain, prevent, or respond to critical and high-risk situations.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A special tactical response team’s operational functions include, but are not limited to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Tactical command and control;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Perimeter control and containment;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Entry and apprehension; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Hostage rescue.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A police officer’s assignment to a special tactical response team may be a full-time position or designated as a collateral-duty.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A special tactical response team may include police officers from a single law enforcement agency or police officers from multiple law enforcement agencies.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Each regional or multi-agency special tactical response team shall develop the appropriate agreements, protocols, and procedures for interagency cooperation that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Delineate, establish, and specify a law enforcement chain of command, operational control, duties and responsibilities of supporting units, and joint training requirements; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Specify which agency is charged with jurisdiction in the event of a criminal investigation involving the actions of a team member, such as an officer-involved shooting.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>