By William Wolfe
Patrol officers and tactical team members across the country regularly encounter barricaded suspects. The intensity of these encounters can vary greatly based on the circumstances leading up to the event, such as whether the subject is armed, has a violent history, or what crimes they committed before the barricade. Regardless of the perceived danger, every barricaded suspect has the potential to escalate and result in harm to officers.
There is plenty of content regarding how to best respond to these incidents and what initial steps to take, but there is a need for more content addressing the imaginary time crunch felt by officers and supervisors. There is a natural tendency in the current environment of understaffed departments to spend less time on calls and get all officers back in service as quickly as possible. Although this is necessary, when appropriate, to stay efficient, there are times when officers and supervisors need to recognize the need to slow down. Law enforcement entry to a residence for the goal of apprehending a barricaded suspect should be the last option on the table, especially when there are numerous safer and more efficient alternatives.
Defining barricaded subjects
The International Association of Chiefs of Police report defines barricaded suspects as individuals who are suspected of committing a crime (report available in full below). More specifically, this term can be applied to any suspect of a crime within a stronghold or structure who refuses to exit and comply with orders given by officers. In this article, I will specifically address barricaded suspect incidents where it is confirmed that there are no other innocents present or accessible. According to the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officers Killed & Assaulted database, approximately 30 officers died, and another 33 were shot during tactical situations such as these from 2013 to 2019. Before making entry into a location where a suspect is contained but refusing to exit, officers and supervisors must conduct a cost-benefit analysis. What is to be gained by sending officers inside, and what is to be lost?
Law enforcement priorities of life
The priorities of life for law enforcement, in order of most important to least important, should be hostages, innocent civilians, police officers and then suspects. These priorities must dictate every action taken by law enforcement.
For example, to save a hostage or protect the life of an innocent civilian, officers must be willing to accept a degree of danger. However, when only officers and suspects are present, officers become the most valuable priority on the scene. Therefore, when conducting a cost-benefit analysis, no one should be willing to put themselves or their subordinates in a position of disadvantage simply to effect the arrest of a suspect. We should all be willing to give our lives when necessary to protect another, but there is foolishness in forcing that situation when there is nothing to save.
Alternatives to entry on a barricaded suspect call
Once a cost-benefit analysis has been conducted and it is determined that immediate entry poses significant risks, it’s essential to explore other methods that can effectively resolve the situation while minimizing danger. Rather than rushing into a potentially hazardous environment, officers should consider the following alternatives that prioritize safety and strategic thinking.
Barricaded suspect negotiation tactics
Communication with the suspect, especially when the officer is a trained negotiator, has proven to be an effective alternative to immediate entry. Recent research has shown that in cases where negotiations were attempted, roughly 80% of the suspects surrendered. Although this alternative holds great potential for a favorable outcome, it will not always be successful. However, when negotiations are at least attempted, there is a chance for a peaceful resolution, and if they fail, it provides greater justification for escalation.
Law enforcement drones and robots
Investing in new technology can be a hard sell in some jurisdictions, and as police officers, there is a general tendency to resist change. However, once decision-makers experience the benefits of new technology for themselves, there is almost always a change of heart. When a suspect has barricaded and refused to come out, there are times when negotiations cannot be initiated due to a lack of information or means to contact them. There are also times when negotiations fail, and officers simply need to figure out where the suspect is in the structure, whether they are armed, and begin clearing sections without putting officers inside. Drones and robots facilitate accomplishing these goals without jeopardizing the lives of anyone. Two-way audio capabilities can also facilitate negotiations for a peaceful surrender in situations when police are unable to contact the suspect.
Chemical munitions
There are many platforms and varieties of chemical munitions available to police agencies at every level. Personally, my agency has seen great success with 40mm launchers due to their ability to insert the munition without straying away from points of cover. If negotiations have failed and the time has come to apprehend the suspect, chemical munitions such as OC or CS gas offer an excellent alternative to making a tactical entry into the structure. In the residence, the suspect maintains a “home field” advantage because they understand the layout of the home and can take up a tactical position. Chemical munitions can level the playing field by making the conditions of the home unsuitable and strongly encouraging the suspect to exit, where officers maintain the tactical position in a semi-controlled environment.
Summary
The bottom line is simply to slow down and think critically. We should all be willing to sacrifice life and limb when necessary. However, let the priorities of life dictate the level of risk we accept. When officers maintain the highest priority, tactical entry on a lone barricaded suspect should be the last possible option. There have been numerous advances in technology and tactics over the last couple of decades, and agencies must strive to stay current and let innovation work to their advantage. The three alternatives offered are not all-encompassing, and each has its pros and cons. However, they offer a great starting point toward achieving the objective while minimizing risk.
About the author
William Wolfe currently serves as a police corporal in the Metro Atlanta area and has experience in a wide range of topics. He is currently assigned as a corporal within his department’s Uniform Division and has previously served as a narcotics investigator, public information officer (PIO), adjunct instructor and SWAT team member. William holds a master’s degree from Georgia State University and is currently working toward his Ph.D. at the University of North Georgia.
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