Many teams and departments are under prepared or under trained on the more advanced skills needed for their special operations mission sets. Things like ballistic and explosive breaching are frowned upon by administrators that don’t understand them, night vision is seen as unnecessary despite most operations being conducted in or progressing thru low light conditions. How do we as team leaders or members shift that culture? How do you educate admin/leadership on the benefits of increased capabilities? The first step is to explain it in terms of reduced liability. Willful negligence, bad press for underprepared responses, and officer safety are great leverage in the discussion. What else have you found helpful in articulating your program’s needs to the powers that be?
In 2015 I did research on Body Cameras. I already knew what I wanted before I asked my Chief if the Department could buy Body Cameras. I asked my Chief if the Dept could buy Body Cameras and he said the Council may not go for it. I said OK I did the research on what I want can I buy my own and use it. My Chief said sure. About a month later I was executing an arrest warrant on a guy who was wanted for about everything under the sun, and I had my Body Camera on when I executed the warrant. The guy ran from me, and I pursued with my weapon out. People came out of the woodwork, and I pointed my weapon at them then lowered it after I saw there was no threat. The suspect ran right into the Deputies that I put in place in the back yard. The warrant was executed without incident. The next day the people I pointed my weapon at complained saying that I pointed my weapon at them telling them I was going to kill them. I never said that. My Body Camera proved me innocent of that complaint. Right after that complaint my Chief bought two new Body Cameras for the Department. My point of the story...you may need to buy your own equipment.
Civil Litigation is the only thing administration understands….😉 Let them get sued and see how quickly things can change…
I say: give these teams all the assets, money, and resources to allow them to do their missions, and don't be like Vietnam having to ask permission to deal with the enemy when the "head shed" is back in the rear having cold brews whilst the ones on the ground are the best to assess the situation. The End.
A Ride-Along .....I think the only way administrators who have been out of the field for more years then they were in it........need a ride along during a shift that DEMONSTRATES the need, not just the ask.
From the military side, we’ve taken new commanders out on high risk training missions to let them see the planning and prep behind the tasks. Let them see the execution of these tasks in that controlled training environment. Showing your group is professional and not asking for more because you’re simply primadonnas who want to look cool.
I couldn't agree more with this post. I only want to point out that as time has gone on this issue has progressively gotten worse. I appreciate you stating this problem, and hopefully more leaders will address their approach to remedy this systemic problem.
Take them on an op and let them go in first
I would encourage an “open house” for those administrators to look at the equipment and see the capabilities they provide while highlighting the limitations and liabilities that exist without those assets.
This is especially challenging adding the context of different leadership changing, and then the narrative starts all over.
Adjunct Faculty, Criminal Justice at Aurora University
7moMake the likely "decision-makers" undergo training with their SWAT units, especially scenario-based training execises. It has been my experince that many PDs never provide any "hands-on" training to command officers who will be the likely incident commanders during an actual incident. Not surprisingly, these same command officers will often "vapor lock" when they find themselves in charge of an actual incident. Putting the boss in the actual stress of an incident can help to open their eyes to many of the problems, including where the SWAT unit will need to improve their capabilities through both needed equipment and training.