LESSON MANUSCRIPT

POLICE OPERATION

PRE-OPERATIONAL CLEARANCE
No police operation shall be conducted without the approval of the Chief/
Commander/Head of the concerned Police Unit/Office. A pre-operational
clearance shall be fi led by the Team Leader of the operating team/s prior to the
conduct of the operation and shall be approved by the concerned Police Unit
Commander. This clearance shall be submitted to the operations section/division
of the concerned police unit for record purposes.

INTER-UNIT COORDINATION
Personal Coordination or by Official Representative
Team Leader/s (TL) of local police units operating outside their territorial
jurisdiction and National Support Units (NSUs) shall coordinate, personally or
through an official representative, with the Police Regional, Provincial or City
Police Office within whose jurisdiction the operation is to be conducted.

Coordination by Filing Coordination Form

Prior to the launching of the operation, except in cases where the formal (in
writing) inter-unit coordination cannot be made due to the nature and/or
urgency of the situation such as, but not limited to, cross-jurisdictional pursuit
operations, coordination should be made formally using the prescribed
Coordination Form, which shall be fi led with the concerned operation center of
the Police Regional, Provincial or City Office.

Coordination by Practical/Available Means of Communication

In cases where formal inter-unit coordination is not feasible, the Police Unit
concerned shall endeavor to notify the territorial police office through any
practical/available means of communication at any time during the operation
and, if not possible, shall accomplish and furnish the territorial Police Office a
written incident report immediately after the termination of the operation.

REQUIREMENTS OF POLICE OPERATIONS

Basic Requirements
Police operations like arrest, search and seizure, checkpoint, roadblocks,
demolition and civil disturbance management shall be conducted as follows:
a) With a marked police vehicle;
b) Led by a Police Commissioned Officer (PCO); and
c) With personnel in prescribed police uniform or attire.

Use of Megaphones and Similar Instruments

During actual police intervention operations, the Team Leader shall use peaceful
means including the use of megaphones or any other similar instruments to warn
or influence the offender/s or suspect/s to stop and/or peacefully give up.

Warning Shots Prohibited

The police shall not use warning shots during police intervention operations.

USE OF FORCE DURING POLICE OPERATIONS

Use of Excessive Force Prohibited
The excessive use of force during police operation is prohibited. However, in the lawful
performance of duty, a police officer may use necessary force to accomplish his
mandated tasks of enforcing the law and maintaining peace and order.
Issuance of Verbal Warning
The police officer must first issue a verbal warning before he could use force against an
offender. As far as practicable, the verbal warning shall be in the dialect that is known
to the offender or in the national language. Basically the verbal warning shall consist of
the following: the police officer identifying himself; his intention; and what he wants the
offender to do. If the offender is a foreigner, the verbal warning shall be done in the
English language followed by a demonstrative act of the police officer’s intent. The
verbal warning shall be done in a loud and clear manner.

Non-Issuance of Verbal Warning When Excusable

The failure to issue a verbal warning is excusable in cases where threat to life or
property is already imminent, and there is no other option but to use force to subdue
the offender.

Use of Non-Lethal Weapon

When suspect is violent or threatening, and that less physical measures have been tried
and deemed inappropriate, a more extreme, but non-deadly measure can be used such
as baton/truncheon, pepper spray, stun gun and other nonlethal weapon to bring the
suspect under control, or effect an arrest.

Application of Necessary and Reasonable Force

During confrontation with an armed offender, only such necessary and reasonable force
should be applied as would be sufficient to overcome the resistance put up by the
offender; subdue the clear and imminent danger posed by him; or to justify the
force/act under the principles of self-defense, defense of relative, or defense of
stranger.

Factors to Consider in the Reasonableness of the Force Employed

A police officer, however, is not required to afford offender/s attacking him the
opportunity for a fair or equal struggle. The reasonableness of the force employed will
depend upon the number of aggressors, nature and characteristic of the weapon used,
physical condition, size and other circumstances to include the place and occasion of
the assault. The police officer is given the sound discretion to consider these factors in
employing reasonable force.

Responsibility of the Police Officer in Charge of the Operation

The police officer who is in charge of the operation shall, at all times, exercise control
over all police personnel in the area of operation, and shall exhaust all possible means
to apply the necessary and reasonable force to protect lives and properties during
armed confrontation.

USE OF FIREARM DURING POLICE OPERATIONS

Use of Firearm When Justified
The use of firearm is justified if the offender poses imminent danger of causing death
or injury to the police officer or other persons. The use of fi rearm is also justified under
the doctrines of self-defense, defense of a relative, and defense of a stranger. However,
one who resorts to self-defense must face a real threat on his life, and the peril sought
to be avoided must be actual, imminent and real. Unlawful aggression should be
present for self-defense to be considered as a justifying circumstance.

Firing at Moving Vehicles Prohibited But with Exceptions

A moving vehicle shall not be fi red upon except when its occupants pose imminent
danger of causing death or injury to the police officer or any other person, and that the
use of firearm does not create a danger to the public and outweighs the likely benefits
of its non-use.

Parameters to be Considered in Firing at Moving Vehicles

In firing at a moving vehicle, the following parameters should be considered:
a) The intent of the suspect/s to harm the police officer or other persons;
b) The capability of the suspect/s to harm with certainty the police officer or other
persons; and
c) Accessibility or the proximity of the suspect/s from the police officer and other
persons.

Filing of an Incident Report After the Use of Firearm

A police officer who fi res his service fi rearm or weapon during a confrontation with an
offender or offenders must submit an incident report outlining the circumstances
necessitating the use of his firearm.

Procedures After an Armed Confrontation

Immediately after an armed confrontation, the officer who is in charge of the operation
shall:
a) Secure the site of confrontation;
b) Take photographs;
c) Check whether the situation still poses imminent danger;
d) Evacuate the wounded to the nearest hospital;
e) Ensure that all persons who died on the spot are not moved from their original
position;
f) Arrested suspects should be kept in isolation;
g) Conduct debriefing on all involved PNP operatives;
h) Submit After-Operations Report; and
i) Ensure psychological stress counseling for all involved PNP operatives.

Fundamentals of Raid Operation

A raid is a surprise invitation of a building or area. It is an attack or small scale

and on limited territory.

The legal basis of raid. A raid must be legal when it adheres to lawful process
and conducted in a legal manner. This will take the form of a search warrant or warrant
of arrest. he raid may be in hot pursuit of person reasonably believed to be guilty of a
felony when it is known that the felony described has in fact been committed.

Objectives of raid: The purpose of the raid is usually to (a) effect an

apprehension; (b) obtain evidence of illegal activity by surprising in flagrante delicto;
and (c) to recover stolen property.

Planning the raid: The success of a raid depends upon intelligent planning and
competent implementation. To achieve the necessary element of surprise, the operation
must be performed surreptitiously and with speed.

o The terrains and buildings should be subjected to close study

o In order to obtain the necessary data for planning, a reconnaissance surveillance
of the place should be conducted
o The participants should be informed of the nature of the mission
 o The specific assignment and position of each member of the raiding team, the
tactics to be employed, the equipment and transportation to be used, the
evaluation of possible danger points, and the optimum time to be selected
should be emphasized.

Factors Affecting the Success of Raid:

o The size of raiding team;

o Speed;
o Surprise;
o Superiority of arms; and
o Simplicity of plan and operation

Composition of a raiding team:

o Raid Commander, Asst. Raid Commander, Covering or Surrounding party;

o Going-in Detail or Entering Party;
o In charge of raiding vehicle;
o In charge of dis-enabling the subject’s vehicle if any;
o The recorder who keeps an accurate log of the raid, gather evidence, make
inventories and testify in court; and
o the Photographer

Duties of Covering or Surrounding Party:

o Covers the approach of going-in detail or entering party;

o Prevents the escape of criminals;
o Covers entire area of building; and
o Neutralizes the firing retaliation of criminals

Duties of Going-in Details or Entering Party:

o Calls for surrender of criminals;
o Effect arrest;
o Incapacitates and dislodges criminal; and
o Searches for evidence.

Undertakings:
The elements of a successful raid:
o Mission
o Reconnaissance
o Plans
o Instructions
o Orders
o Execution

Raid Operation: The coordination of individual efforts is an essential element in

the success of a raid. The raiding party should act as a team. The members of the team
must thoroughly understand the objectives, plan of action, and orders. Each man
should hold his assigned position until his orders are changed by the team leader.
Before leaving the headquarters to proceed to the target, the team leader must conduct
a final briefing of personnel. After assembly of the men at the designated area which
should not be too close to the target area, they should not assume the appearance of a
formal gathering. The raiders’ vehicle should be safeguarded to prevent any attempts of
being used by the subjects. The vehicles of the suspects should be disabled by any
means. A cordon should be relatively posted to prevent the possible escape of the
suspects and restrain people from getting near the area. If and when the suspect failed
to heed the warning to surrender, entrance must be made through one point so that
the raider will not mistake each other. As soon as the raid is completed, guards should
be left to protect the property and to observe or apprehend the associates of the
suspect. The members are thereafter reassembled at a designated place for final
accounting of all members of the raiding party.

The Don’ts on Raid:

o Don’t take unnecessary chances;

o Don’t underestimate the ability or courage of the subject(s);
o Don’t raid when not properly prepared;
o Don’t endanger the lives of bystanders;
o Don’t use raiders not well-acquainted with one another;
o Don’t forget gas mask when using tear gas;
o Don’t be unnecessarily rough on the subject(s);
o Don’t shoot to kill unless imperative; and
o Don’t touch any evidence unless seen by the witnesses or by the owner or
occupant of the place.

Fundamentals of Search Operation

Search. is an examination of a person, house or effects or other buildings and

premises to the discovery of contraband or some evidence of guild instrumental in the
prosecution of a criminal act of crime or offense which a person is charged of.

Common Questions on Search Operations

What is a search warrant. It is an order in writing issued in the name of the

People of the Philippines, signed by a judge and directed to a peace officer,
commanding him to search for personal property and property before a Court of
Justice.

What personal property may be a subject matter of a search warrant?

o Property as a primary subject of the offense;

o Property stolen or embezzled and/or other proceeds or fruits of an offense;
o Property used or intended to be used as a means of committing an offense.

What is probable cause that is required for a search warrant?

Probable cause means that sufficient facts must be presented to the judge
issuing the warrant to convince him/her that the circumstances sufficiently establish the
need for issuance of the warrant.

May the things that are illegally seized be admissible as evidence? Illegally seized
items are not admissible in court as evidence.
 May any items not mentioned in the search warrant be seized? Generally, articles
not included in the search warrant may not be seized. However, any prohibited articles,
although not included in the search warrant may be seized. During a warranted or
unwarranted search for other items that are illegally possessed, any unlawfully
possessed items contraband can be seized. And no constitutional right of the accused
was violated.

The right of the search officer to break into a place to effect search. After a
search officer have been denied to enter the searchable lace even after giving notice of
his purpose and authority, may break in through a window or any part of the structure
to execute the warrant. The same procedures apply when persons are unlawfully
detained therein. The search of houses, room or premises must be made in the
presence of at least two (2) competent witnesses or residents in the neighbourhood.

Opening of safety vaults, cabinets, tables, drawers, etc. If and when possible,
the lifting of the articles, safety vaults, drawers, cabinets, tables, etc. should be done by
the owner of the house or his authorized representative, or any immediate members of
the family to preclude any suspicion of loss or planting of evidence.

Time validity of search warrant.

A search warrant shall be valid ten (10) days from the date of issuance.
Thereafter, it shall be void. A search warrant during the tem (10) days period can only
be used once or if more than once, but only the continuation of the search previously
conducted. A search warrant can only be served during daytime, unless otherwise
directed by the court.

Issuance of receipt for property seized by virtue of a search warrant. The search
officer must give a detailed receipt for the seized items to the person with whom the
items were found. In the absence of any person, a receipt shall be left in the place in
which he found the seized property in the presence of a property. The leader of the
search team must secure a certification of conduct of search to be signed by the owner,
or his duly authorized representative or a neighbor or a member of the household.

Types of Searches:

o Wall Search. The purpose is to place a subject in on "off-balance" position

requiring the use of his/her arms and legs to prevent falling on the ground. It is
the safest type of search that does not necessarily require a wall. Any object that
can support the weight of the subject can be used.

Procedures:

(a) Require the subject to place both hands on the wall higher than his waist. Hands
spread apart as possible. Palms placed against the wall and fingers are extended.

(b) The legs shall extended backward and apart toes pointed out and the buttocks
should not be on arched position.

(c) The head bowed down at all times.

 The mechanics in executing the "Wall Search" are:

(a) If there is only one subject, the leader should place himself at one side, while his
subordinate is on the other side;

(b) To search the other side, the subordinate should move to the opposite side;

(c) If there are two or three subjects, move one subject to be searched on the wall, but
out of reach by the other subjects;

(d) Search both sides of the subject, the leader conducting the search while the
subordinate remains stationary guarding the other subjects;

(e) Move one subject at a time;

(f) Subject’s head should be bowed at all times;

(g) The subordinate should be aware on the movements of the subjects not on the
movements of the leader;

(h) When there are more than three subjects, additional personnel should be
summoned;

(i) In serious apprehension, the searcher should hold his weapon in ready position
throughout the search; and

(j) The body must be searched systematically with the feet of the searcher placed
tightly against the subject.

o Standing Search. The search procedure is conducted while the subject raises
his/her hands over his/her head with feet spread as apart as possible.

o Kneeling Search. The search procedure is conducted while the subject kneels on
the ground with both hands raised over his head.

o Prone Search. The search procedure is conducted while the subject lies on his
stomach with arms and legs outstretched.

Methods of Restraint on Arrest and Search

Handcuffing is the best method of restraint and hazard preventive measure if

applied properly.

Applying handcuffs:

(a) Take position directly behind the subject;

(b) The handcuff is applied when the subject had placed his hand on small of his back;

(c) Do not reach out for the hand as it will provide for the subject an opportunity to
grasp the hand of the investigator and throw him.
 Procedures in applying handcuff

o First order- "Put your hand off the wall and place it on your back." Fasten one
handcuff with his/her hand inside while holding the other one.
o Second order- "Move up and put your hand against the wall." Allow the subject
to move closer to the wall, making certain his feet remain apart to keep him "off
balance".
o Third order- “Put your other hand off the wall and place it on your back.” Fasten
the other handcuff and double-lock both handcuffs.
o Final order- “Stand up and face the wall.” Help the subject in doing this.

Transporting the arrested person:

1) If the arrested person is transported by jeep, the subject shall be seated on the right
rear seat and the police sits on the left side facing the subject. Secure hands off subject
under his knees.

2) I the arrested person is transported by a car, the subject is seated on the left rear
seat and the police sits in the right rear seat. The hands of the subject should be
secured under his knees.

Fundamentals in Seizure Operation

The following will be seized on the scene of the raid:

o The weapon which may be used against the raiding party.

o The articles which might be used in committing suicide.
o The articles which might be used in effecting escape.
o The articles which might be used in committing another crime.
o The proceeds or fruits of the crime (stolen property)

Disposition of Money and Other Valuable Property:

o The money should be counted and serial number of bills noted.

o The valuables should be sealed in a property envelope in the view of the
arrested person.
o The property envelope should show complete inventory of contents.
o The arrested person should initial on the face of the envelope showing approval
of contents.
o The raiding officers should sign their names on the face of the envelope.
o A receipt should be given to the arrested person.

Disposition of Articles Not Covered in a Search Warrant:

o If the articles are illicit or contraband, the same must be seized.

o Such articles may be used as evidence to prosecute the person.
o Articles which are not contraband must be returned to the owners or must not
be seized.

Fundamentals of Arrest
 Arrest is the taking of a person into custody in order to answer for the
commission of an offense.

Common Questions on Arrest

Who are exempted from arrest? Under the New Constitution, the members of the
National Assembly shall be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the
sessions and in going to and returning from the same for offenses punishable by not
more than 6 years imprisonment. The principles of International Law also exempt
foreign sovereign, ambassadors, ministers and persons belonging to their official
entourage from arrest. Consuls are exempted.

How shall the warrant of arrest be executed? It shall be the duty of the arresting
officer to deliver the person without unnecessary delay to the judge or before a person
in authority who issued the warrant.

When does an arrest without warrant unlawful? A peace officer or a private

person may, without a warrant, arrest a person when –

a) in his presence, the person to be arrested has committed, is actually committing, or

is attempting to commit an offense;

b) an offense has in fact just been committed, and he has personal knowledge of facts
indicating that a person to be arrested has committed it; and

c) a person to be arrested is a prisoner who has escaped from a penal establishment or

place where he is serving final judgment or temporarily confined while his case is
pending, or has escaped while being transferred from one confinement to another.

When is an offense committed in the presence of a peace officer? When the

officer of a private person sees the offense, although at a distance or hears the
disturbance created thereby and proceeds to the scene thereof, or the offense is
continuing or has not been consummated at the time of the arrest.

The method of arrest with warrant. When making an arrest by virtue of a

warrant of arrest, the officer shall inform the person to be arrested of the cause of the
arrest and of the fact that a warrant has been issued for his arrest, except when he
flees or forcibly resist before the officer has opportunity so to inform him or when
giving of such information will imperil the arrest. The officer need not have the warrant
in his possession at the time of the arrest but after the arrest, if the person arrested so
requires, the warrant shall be shown to him as soon as practicable.

The territorial effectivity of a warrant of arrest. The Warrant of Arrest issued by

the municipal judge cannot be served or executed outside his province, unless the
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the district, or in his absence, the Fiscal shall
certify that in his opinion the interest of justice requires such service.

May warrant of arrest issued by the City Court be served outside their territorial
jurisdiction? Yes, pursuant to RA 5967.

The Method of arrest without warrant. When making an arrest without a

warrant, the officer shall inform the person to be arrested of his authority, and the
cause of the arrest, unless the person to be arrested is then engaged in the commission
of an offense, or is pursued immediately after its commission or after he has
opportunity to inform him, or when the giving of such information will imperil the arrest.

The Duty of person making arrest without warrant. Any person making arrest for
legal grounds shall without unnecessary delay on the time prescribed in Art. 125, RPC,
take the person arrested to the proper court or judge for such action as it may deem to
take. However, it is not physical delivery of the arrested person that is required under
Art. 125 RPC, but the filing of an information against the arrested person in the proper
court of justice who has an authority to issue an order of release or of confinement.

Period of detention as prescribed under Art. 125 of the RPC. The right of the
arrested person not to be detained for more than 12 hours ( for offenses punishable by
light penalties), 18 hours (for offenses punishable by afflictive or capital penalties)
without being delivered to the proper judicial authorities.

The Right of an attorney to visit an arrested person. Any attorney who has been
entitled to be practice in the court shall, at the request of the person arrested or of
another acting in his behalf have the right to visit or confer privately with such person
in jail, or any other place of custody at any hour of the day, or in urgent cases, of the
night. (Note: Under RA 857, any person who obstruct this right shall be criminally
liable).

Medical examination of arrested person/suspect. Immediately after the arrest of

the person so ordered by a court or a suspect under investigation, should be subjected
to medical examination. Prior to his release or any change of custody, the suspect
should also be medically examined by a medico-legal officer or by any government
physician in the area in the absence of a medico-legal officer.

Summoning assistance for the arrest. Any officer making a lawful arrest may
orally summon as many persons as he deems necessary to aid him in making the
arrest. Every person so summoned by an officer shall aid him in the making of such
arrest, when he can render help without detriment.

The Techniques in making an arrest:

a. Initial Contact with the Subject:

o The police officer should identify himself in a clear audible voice.

o The police officer must show identification card if he/she is not in uniform.
o The police officer must inform the subject that he is under arrest.
o The police officer must consider the possibility that the subject is wanted for
other crimes. (Record Check)

b. Police Officer’s Conduct:

o Natural and pleasant but forceful.
o Able to dominate the situation.
o Voice must command authority.
o Demand prompt and absolute obedience.
o Nervousness should be controlled.
 o Avoid acting “tough”.
o Avoid profanity.
o Avoid being apologetic.
o Avoid unnecessary conversation.
o Act as an agent who is in charge who does the talking and gives the commands.

c. In Making an Arrest:

o Use good judgement in arresting; and

o Assume that the subject is armed and he could take your life, if given the
opportunity.

d. Arrest on the Street:

o Should be made from side or rear when possible;

o The subject should be forced toward the building; and
o Avoid congested areas when possible.

e. Arrest at Home, Office, or Business Establishment:

o Restrict the subject’s movement. Do not grant request for personal privileges
before being searched; and
o Clothing and other things requested should be examined for weapons or items of
evidence before turning them over to the subject.
f. Planning the Arrest:
o It is the responsibility of the Chief or the Acting Officer.
o If the arresting team is composed of two (2) or more members, the most
experienced must be the one in charge.
o Consider the arresting and covering parties.
o Consider the protection of innocent bystanders.
o Prevent escape of the subject.
o Discreet reconnaissance of the area.
o Determine the weapons and equipment needed.
o Consider superiority of manpower and firepower of the arresting team.
o Consider the element of surprise. (Daybreak has been proven satisfactory as the
time for a number of successful arrests.)
o Consider speed in the execution of the plan.
o Consider over-all coordination.

CLOSE QUARTER BATTLE

Close Quarters Battle (CQB) or close quarters combat (CQC) is a type of fighting in
which small units engage the enemy with personal weapons at very short range,
potentially to the point of hand-to-hand combat or fighting with hand weapons such as
swords or knives. In the typical CQB scenario, the attackers try a very fast, violent
takeover of a vehicle or structure controlled by the defenders, who usually have no easy
way to withdraw. Because enemies, hostages/civilians, and fellow operators can be
closely intermingled, CQB demands a rapid assault and a precise application of lethal
force. The operators need great proficiency with their weapons, but also the ability to
make split-second decisions in order to avoid or limit friendly casualties. CQB is defined
as a short-duration, high-intensity conflict, characterized by sudden violence at close
range.

Criminals sometimes use CQB techniques, such as in an armed robbery or jailbreak, but
most of the terminology comes from training used to prepare soldiers, police, and other
authorities. Therefore, much CQB material is written from the perspective of the
authorities who must break into the stronghold where the opposing force (opfor) have
barricaded themselves.

Although there is considerable overlap, CQB is not synonymous with urban warfare,
now sometimes known by the military acronyms MOUT (military operations on urban
terrain), FIBUA (fighting in built-up areas) or OBUA (Operations in Built Up Areas) in the
West. Urban warfare is a much larger field, including logistics and the role of crew-
served weapons like heavy machine guns, mortars, and mounted grenade launchers, as
well as artillery, armor, and air support. In CQB, the emphasis is on small infantry units
using light, compact weapons that one man can carry and use easily in tight spaces,
such as carbines, submachine guns, shotguns, pistols, and knives. As such, CQB is a
tactical concept that forms a part of the strategic concept of urban warfare, but not
every instance of CQB is necessarily enveloped by urban warfare—for example, jungle
and guerrilla warfare are potential stages for CQB.

Principles of assault

Detailed planning

Ideally, the leader of the assault team gathers all available intelligence about the crisis
scene, targets, and innocents. He diagrams and discusses the proposed plan, outlining
each team’s actions and responsibilities, location, fields of fire, and special tasks (even
to the point of a wall-by-wall and door-by-door layout of the objective, where
available). Since the assault team usually already has specialized training, the operation
is based on well-understood, pre-established standing operating procedure. When
considerable preparation time is available, the team sometimes conducts step-by-step
walk-through exercises on a mock-up that duplicates the target environment. Some
units maintain permanent “shoot houses” or even airliner/ship mock-ups for practicing
marksmanship and tactics more realistically.

In a prolonged standoff, the attackers can sometimes bring in specialized equipment for
probing the inside of a well-defended area. Sensitive thermal cameras can help locate
the occupants, and surveillance personnel can run microphones and fiber-optic cameras
through walls, ceilings, and floors. If hostages escape or can communicate/signal the
attackers, they can provide more information from inside.

However, the time and resources to carry out such luxurious preparations are not
always there. Not every attacker can field an overwhelming force of specially trained
and equipped men with reinforcements standing by. Information about the inside of an
enemy-held building or vehicle may not be accessible beyond studying it through
binoculars or a rifle scope. While some attackers can go to the lengths of wearing the
enemy down by siege or even tunneling under them, others must get the current job
done immediately with the force available in order to move on to the next.
Surprise

The objective is to complete all offensive action before the party being engaged is able
to react. To gain this element of surprise, the entry teams use stealth movement and
noise/light discipline to get as close to the targets as possible, hopefully putting
themselves in a position to engage an enemy from the moment he becomes aware of
them. Some teams use subsonic sniper rifles for their initial shots on sentries or dogs. A
projectile fired at less than the speed of sound makes no supersonic “crack” and is only
used in conjunction with a sound suppressor.

An assault should come at a time when least expected, taking into consideration
fatigue, normal sleep periods, and other factors that detract from the target’s alertness.
Diversions are an essential element in achieving surprise. Staged emergencies, such as
a mock auto accident, fire, or explosion near the crisis site, can divert the target’s
attention away from the assaulting elements. Explosive breaching and diversionary
devices, such as flash bang, smoke, or gas grenades can be employed to distract and
disorient the targets. Negotiators can try to manipulate the defenders into a more
vulnerable position or convince them that their position will not be stormed.

Methods of entry

When law enforcement clears a building, they usually work in a slow and deliberate
manner using ballistic shields and mirrors for searching. This affords the highest degree
of safety and security for the police, as well as any uninvolved bystanders inside the
search area, who can be identified and safely removed without subjecting them to the
shock and danger of a sudden assault. When suspects are encountered, the police can
confront them with an alert, armed force and try to take control without shooting. If the
searchers meet heavy resistance, they can usually pull back without harm and prepare
for a dynamic entry.

However, against determined, well-armed opponents who fight in concert to defend an

area and keep it under their control, slow stop-and-go movement can cause the deaths
of many attackers and hostages. That leads to dynamic entry used in military
operations or hostage rescues. It is the popular image of CQB: a flood of gunmen who
burst in without warning and attempt to seize the area. Dynamic entry tactics must be
rapid and aggressive, ideally a continuous flow using overwhelming force that does not
stop until the threat is eliminated.

In the vast majority of hostage rescue and other dynamic CQB operations, it is desirable
to use multiple simultaneous attacks from different entry points to overload the target’s
ability to react effectively. The more entry points the attackers can choose from, the
better their chances. The teams actually entering the objective usually have to
synchronize with snipers, negotiators, power technicians, perimeter guards, and others
who assist from the outside. Medical personnel, investigators, and bomb experts may
be prepped to enter the scene as soon as the initial attackers get control.

It is important that a central commander coordinate all armed elements, not only to
better complete a sweep of the target area, but especially to guard against friendly fire.
When large areas must be searched, leaders will assign boundaries between elements
and may track them by radio to ensure they do not interfere with each other. The goal
is to establish overlapping fields of fire, so that multiple shooters can attack at once
from different directions without danger of hitting one another.

Also, it is possible that a point of entry can be created by a precision explosive device to
catch the adversary by surprise.

Speed

Once the assault begins, the team must gain control before the target understands
what is happening and can prepare an effective defense or mount a counterattack. The
defenders sometimes have a contingency plan that could cause the attack to fail
instantly, such as killing hostages, detonating bombs, or destroying evidence. If they
can execute an organized plan, such as falling back into a prepared stronghold, or
breaking through the perimeter, the possibility of friendly casualties increases. Speed is
achieved through well-designed tactics, such as gaining proximity with an undetected
approach, the use of multiple entry points, and explosive breaching. Note that the need
for speed does not necessarily translate to individual operators choosing to run in these
situations.

Violence of action

For the dynamic entry team, gaining and maintaining physical and psychological
momentum is essential. They smash down doors, blast holes in walls, come through
windows, and drop from helicopters. Vehicle-mounted rams and platforms are used to
create unexpected entry points. The sensory onslaught from tear gas, explosive
breaching, flashbangs, and gunfire is complemented by the intimidating and aggressive
actions of the assault team. Hostiles do sometimes hide among the hostages, so once
the shooting has stopped, operators must maintain dominance over anyone still alive.

The defenders try to stop enemies close to the entry points. The “fatal funnel” is the
dangerous area where the assaulter is silhouetted against his own entry point from the
perspective of defenders inside the room. Once operators begin to enter, the defenders
try to keep them from escaping the fatal funnel. The attackers are also vulnerable from
the corners closest to the entry point, the first place from which they can be hit from
behind as they enter the room. If the first attackers cannot clear the corners and get
out of the fatal funnel, allowing those behind to move in and help, the attack can bog
down.

Military uses of close quarters battle vary by unit type, branch and mission. Military
operations other than war (MOOTW) may involve peacekeeping or riot control.
Specialized forces such as the U.S. Marine Corps specialized units like: RTT, FAST, SRT
and U.S. Marine Corps special operations teams such as Recon and MSOB platoons,
U.S. Coast Guard VBST (Vessel Board and Search Team), PSU (Port Security Unit)MSST
(Marine Safety and Security Team) TACLET (Tactical Law Enforcement Team)or U.S.
Navy VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) teams may adapt CQB tactics to their
specific needs, e.g. for the boarding of compliant and non-compliant vessels at sea.
Hostage rescue or extraction by commando troops such as the British or Australian
Special Air Service, Delta Force,U.S. Navy SEALs or Sayeret Matkal may involve even
more esoteric adaptations or variations, depending on specialized environments,
weapons technology, political considerations or a mixture of friendly, unfriendly or
civilian personnel.

Armies that often engage in urban warfare operation may train most of their infantry in
basic CQB doctrine as it relates to common tasks such as building entry, “clearing a
room” and concussion and other grenades.