JiJoMacLE45
03-01-2004, 08:07 PM
Just in case some of you fools want to know what daddy has been up to.
Wilmington Police Department's
Crisis Management Tactical Team
Sgt. SS Wilmington Department of Police C.M.T.T.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR WEEKS COMPLAINTS coming into the vice, drug, and organized crime divisions about a group of well-organized crack dealers the Wilmington housing project commonly known as "The Bucket." Undercover officers are close by, as a confidential informant enters the house to purchase some "rock" in a controlled buy investigation.
Without warning, the target of the investigation steps outside and empties a clip from a 9MM handgun into the air as a show of power, causing children and adults to run for cover. The informant escapes unharmed, and is visibly shaken. He turns over several tiny vials with bright colorful caps that contain the precious cocaine base. The narcotics investigators know that this will not be an ordinary search warrant execution.
Thirty minutes later, dark windowless van coasts to the curb with its lights out. Suddenly the doors open, and 12 shadowy figures move toward the target house. The fortified steel door explodes inward from the force of a specially designed battering ram, as the heavily armed team moves to contact the target on the second floor. As they reach the top of the steps they confront a lone male in a rear bedroom, and see that he is reaching for two semi-automatic handguns under the mattress. The male turns, and sees the two figures wearing Kevlar helmets, black Nomex hoods, and heavy body armor, looking through the sights of their .40 cal. submachine guns. He decides instead to run for the window, but is apprehended without incident.
Inside the home, a total of three handguns and. a large quantity of crack cocaine are discovered. After the suspect is questioned, he tells investigators that if they hadn't gotten to him so fast, and weren't so heavily armed, he would have shot them.
Welcome to the world of the Wilmington Police Department's "Crisis Management Tactical Team."
A number of large police departments throughout the country have utilized specially trained police units for years. Originally designed to deal with the civil disturbances of the late '60s and early'70s, these units eventually evolved into well disciplined teams that were called upon to resolve hostage situations or barricaded Subjects through the use of special weapons and training, or SWAT.
Currently the Wilmington Police Department has 35 members on its Crisis Management Team. This is broken down to tactical team members, K-9 unit and hostage negotiators. The officers all serve dual roles, and are assigned to various divisions within the department. In addition to their standard duty equipment, the tactical team members are issued a variety of specialized equipment.
The Wilmington Police Department has utilized a specially trained team (SWAT) for many years. The team was formed in the late '60s to help with the civil unrest that was prevalent at that time. The team was basically utilized only for civil unrest, barricade, and hostage situations. With the increased prevalence of drugs and guns, and the changing attitudes within the community, the Wilmington Police Department changed the name of the SWAT team to the Crisis Management Tactical Team (CMTT). Over the past several years, with the use of SALLE monies and Project Northstar, the CMTT has equipped itself with the most sophisticated and state-of-the-art equipment.
EQUIPMENT
Currently, the Wilmington Police Department has '30 members on the CMTT Each member of the CMTT is outfitted with a Kevlar combat helmet, level IIIA tactical vest with several removable Pouches, tactical bone vibration headset with push to talk microphones, tactical goggles, black fatigue BDU uniform pants, black Nomex hoods, boots, gloves, tactical thigh holster, and an M- 17 gas mask. Each of the team members wears either a long-sleeve black fatigue BDU shirt or a long-sleeve black T-shirt with lettering identifying them as Wilmington Police Crisis Management Team Members. Each member of the team also carries his service issued Walther .40 Cal handgun.
When the CMT Team is activated a fully equipped team can be ready to respond in a maximum of 45 minutes. The CMTT responds to scenes in an unmarked customized Chevrolet van. When the team is activated, the team has capability of utilizing sniper/observers (S/0) as part of the outer perimeter team. These two-man teams are equipped with Remington 700 rifles chambered in .308 caliber. These rifles are topped with Leuopold 3.5x1O power scope and Harris bipod. S/0 teams also use Zeiss binoculars, and have the capability of using night-vision equipment to aid them if they are activated during times of darkness
When the Crisis Management Team has to force entry into a dwelling, it can use either a pneumatic one-man ram designed by team members and built in a local trade school, or a hydraulic Hurst rabbit-tool. Depending on the circumstances of the job, the team will use a ballistic shield by Pro-Tech which is topped With a heavy -duty lighting system on stealth entries. If the team has to make a dynamic entry, it will attempt to overload the suspect's senses by deploying a distraction device and every team member loudly identifies himself as a police officer executing a search warrant. the CMTT is equipped with several HK MP5 subguns topped with either the sure fire lighting systems or the aim-point sighting system. The team also has several Remington 1100 12-gauge shotguns with sawed-off barrels equipped with the sure fire lighting systems and - two Remington 870 12-gauge Shotguns for use with less lethal munitions.
If a hostage or barricade situation arises, the tactical team supports the negotiator team. The tactical maintains communications equipment. This equipment varies from a hand-held PA system to a state -of-the-art hard-wire communications phone (throw phone). This phone will record all conversations by both parties and will also transmit even if the phone is hung up. This allows both the negotiators and tactical team access to invaluable information which they would not usually have access to.
The Crisis Management Tactical -Team also encompasses the Bomb squad This arm of the CMTT handles all packages suspected of being bombs and will also sweep in area prior to the arrival of visiting dignitaries. Both the tactical team and the bomb squad work closely together which has proven invaluable during raids in which explosives were found.
TRAINING
Training officers with the tactical arm have had the privilege to train with some of the world's elite anti-terrorist units. Training officers have trained with the FBI hostage rescue learns from Quantico, VA, Navy SEAL teams from both California and Virginia, and the British SAS. Training officers have also trained with the Prince George County's Special Operations Group, Which helps protect the President and serves over 300 high-risk warrants every year, the Philadelphia Police Department's Stake-Out unit which executes hundreds of high-risk warrants and services all barricade and hostage situations, Florida's Hillsboro County Special Operations Unit, and other local teams who are highly motivated and trained, such as the Delaware State Police SORT team.
The instruction that the Training Officers receive has been invaluable and has benefited the team greatly. Training Officers are certified and able to instruct other team members in the following fields: chemical agents, submachine guns, distraction devices, sniper/long guns, weaponless defense' medical, communications, breaching techniques body bunker, tactics, and pre- and post-raid planning.
The Crisis Management Team trains on a monthly basis. Training encompasses physical training, team movement, safety, tactics, as well as firearm qualifications. The team also trains on problems it encounters while executing past warrants. The team discusses possible solutions and works at correcting problems to allow future jobs to he carried off more easily. Team members assigned a specialized weapon (i.e., submachine guns, snipers) must train and qualify on a monthly basis. Each member of the team is familiarized with each other's position and assignment to allow for an easy transition within the team during warrant execution.
With the increased problems of drug sales and usage within every community, and the sophistication of the drug dealers, the joint training with other special operations teams is invaluable. Because of the limited manpower and budgets of police departments, the signing of mutual aid agreements has added to team safety. On numerous occasions, members of the Wilmington Police Department's Crisis Management Tactical Team and the Delaware State Police SORT Team have assisted each other on such operations. The joint training aids everyone from team members all the way up to the head of each department. The more the teams train together the better they work together to meet the objective.
FUTURE
Over the last several years, the Crisis Management Tactical Team has been utilized on an increasing basis. In the past, the activation of the team was solely the discretion of the shift commander or division supervisor. With the recent court judgements and the issue of liability Crisis Management Team hopes to implement a four -level system for the team activation.
LEVEL I - Non-violent offender in I nonviolent crime (burglary, theft, and some assaults). Team members can be used, but not needed.
LEVEL II - Non-violent crime with a violent offender, violent offender in nonviolent crime, or drug raids with no history of weapons. Team members recommended to be used unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
LEVEL III - Violent crime with a violent offender, crimes involving firearms, drug raids with known weapons inside. Team members will be utilized, unless unusual circumstances exist and can be documented.
LEVEL IV - Suicidal suspects, or Suspect who threatened to kill a police officer. Team members will be utilized.
If the above procedure for activation is implemented, it will remove the guess work as to when to activate the team. This system will also greatly reduce the civil liability on the department and supervisor who refuses to activate and utilize the Crisis Management Tactical Team, who are better trained and equipped to execute the job at hand.
Wilmington Police Department's
Crisis Management Tactical Team
Sgt. SS Wilmington Department of Police C.M.T.T.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR WEEKS COMPLAINTS coming into the vice, drug, and organized crime divisions about a group of well-organized crack dealers the Wilmington housing project commonly known as "The Bucket." Undercover officers are close by, as a confidential informant enters the house to purchase some "rock" in a controlled buy investigation.
Without warning, the target of the investigation steps outside and empties a clip from a 9MM handgun into the air as a show of power, causing children and adults to run for cover. The informant escapes unharmed, and is visibly shaken. He turns over several tiny vials with bright colorful caps that contain the precious cocaine base. The narcotics investigators know that this will not be an ordinary search warrant execution.
Thirty minutes later, dark windowless van coasts to the curb with its lights out. Suddenly the doors open, and 12 shadowy figures move toward the target house. The fortified steel door explodes inward from the force of a specially designed battering ram, as the heavily armed team moves to contact the target on the second floor. As they reach the top of the steps they confront a lone male in a rear bedroom, and see that he is reaching for two semi-automatic handguns under the mattress. The male turns, and sees the two figures wearing Kevlar helmets, black Nomex hoods, and heavy body armor, looking through the sights of their .40 cal. submachine guns. He decides instead to run for the window, but is apprehended without incident.
Inside the home, a total of three handguns and. a large quantity of crack cocaine are discovered. After the suspect is questioned, he tells investigators that if they hadn't gotten to him so fast, and weren't so heavily armed, he would have shot them.
Welcome to the world of the Wilmington Police Department's "Crisis Management Tactical Team."
A number of large police departments throughout the country have utilized specially trained police units for years. Originally designed to deal with the civil disturbances of the late '60s and early'70s, these units eventually evolved into well disciplined teams that were called upon to resolve hostage situations or barricaded Subjects through the use of special weapons and training, or SWAT.
Currently the Wilmington Police Department has 35 members on its Crisis Management Team. This is broken down to tactical team members, K-9 unit and hostage negotiators. The officers all serve dual roles, and are assigned to various divisions within the department. In addition to their standard duty equipment, the tactical team members are issued a variety of specialized equipment.
The Wilmington Police Department has utilized a specially trained team (SWAT) for many years. The team was formed in the late '60s to help with the civil unrest that was prevalent at that time. The team was basically utilized only for civil unrest, barricade, and hostage situations. With the increased prevalence of drugs and guns, and the changing attitudes within the community, the Wilmington Police Department changed the name of the SWAT team to the Crisis Management Tactical Team (CMTT). Over the past several years, with the use of SALLE monies and Project Northstar, the CMTT has equipped itself with the most sophisticated and state-of-the-art equipment.
EQUIPMENT
Currently, the Wilmington Police Department has '30 members on the CMTT Each member of the CMTT is outfitted with a Kevlar combat helmet, level IIIA tactical vest with several removable Pouches, tactical bone vibration headset with push to talk microphones, tactical goggles, black fatigue BDU uniform pants, black Nomex hoods, boots, gloves, tactical thigh holster, and an M- 17 gas mask. Each of the team members wears either a long-sleeve black fatigue BDU shirt or a long-sleeve black T-shirt with lettering identifying them as Wilmington Police Crisis Management Team Members. Each member of the team also carries his service issued Walther .40 Cal handgun.
When the CMT Team is activated a fully equipped team can be ready to respond in a maximum of 45 minutes. The CMTT responds to scenes in an unmarked customized Chevrolet van. When the team is activated, the team has capability of utilizing sniper/observers (S/0) as part of the outer perimeter team. These two-man teams are equipped with Remington 700 rifles chambered in .308 caliber. These rifles are topped with Leuopold 3.5x1O power scope and Harris bipod. S/0 teams also use Zeiss binoculars, and have the capability of using night-vision equipment to aid them if they are activated during times of darkness
When the Crisis Management Team has to force entry into a dwelling, it can use either a pneumatic one-man ram designed by team members and built in a local trade school, or a hydraulic Hurst rabbit-tool. Depending on the circumstances of the job, the team will use a ballistic shield by Pro-Tech which is topped With a heavy -duty lighting system on stealth entries. If the team has to make a dynamic entry, it will attempt to overload the suspect's senses by deploying a distraction device and every team member loudly identifies himself as a police officer executing a search warrant. the CMTT is equipped with several HK MP5 subguns topped with either the sure fire lighting systems or the aim-point sighting system. The team also has several Remington 1100 12-gauge shotguns with sawed-off barrels equipped with the sure fire lighting systems and - two Remington 870 12-gauge Shotguns for use with less lethal munitions.
If a hostage or barricade situation arises, the tactical team supports the negotiator team. The tactical maintains communications equipment. This equipment varies from a hand-held PA system to a state -of-the-art hard-wire communications phone (throw phone). This phone will record all conversations by both parties and will also transmit even if the phone is hung up. This allows both the negotiators and tactical team access to invaluable information which they would not usually have access to.
The Crisis Management Tactical -Team also encompasses the Bomb squad This arm of the CMTT handles all packages suspected of being bombs and will also sweep in area prior to the arrival of visiting dignitaries. Both the tactical team and the bomb squad work closely together which has proven invaluable during raids in which explosives were found.
TRAINING
Training officers with the tactical arm have had the privilege to train with some of the world's elite anti-terrorist units. Training officers have trained with the FBI hostage rescue learns from Quantico, VA, Navy SEAL teams from both California and Virginia, and the British SAS. Training officers have also trained with the Prince George County's Special Operations Group, Which helps protect the President and serves over 300 high-risk warrants every year, the Philadelphia Police Department's Stake-Out unit which executes hundreds of high-risk warrants and services all barricade and hostage situations, Florida's Hillsboro County Special Operations Unit, and other local teams who are highly motivated and trained, such as the Delaware State Police SORT team.
The instruction that the Training Officers receive has been invaluable and has benefited the team greatly. Training Officers are certified and able to instruct other team members in the following fields: chemical agents, submachine guns, distraction devices, sniper/long guns, weaponless defense' medical, communications, breaching techniques body bunker, tactics, and pre- and post-raid planning.
The Crisis Management Team trains on a monthly basis. Training encompasses physical training, team movement, safety, tactics, as well as firearm qualifications. The team also trains on problems it encounters while executing past warrants. The team discusses possible solutions and works at correcting problems to allow future jobs to he carried off more easily. Team members assigned a specialized weapon (i.e., submachine guns, snipers) must train and qualify on a monthly basis. Each member of the team is familiarized with each other's position and assignment to allow for an easy transition within the team during warrant execution.
With the increased problems of drug sales and usage within every community, and the sophistication of the drug dealers, the joint training with other special operations teams is invaluable. Because of the limited manpower and budgets of police departments, the signing of mutual aid agreements has added to team safety. On numerous occasions, members of the Wilmington Police Department's Crisis Management Tactical Team and the Delaware State Police SORT Team have assisted each other on such operations. The joint training aids everyone from team members all the way up to the head of each department. The more the teams train together the better they work together to meet the objective.
FUTURE
Over the last several years, the Crisis Management Tactical Team has been utilized on an increasing basis. In the past, the activation of the team was solely the discretion of the shift commander or division supervisor. With the recent court judgements and the issue of liability Crisis Management Team hopes to implement a four -level system for the team activation.
LEVEL I - Non-violent offender in I nonviolent crime (burglary, theft, and some assaults). Team members can be used, but not needed.
LEVEL II - Non-violent crime with a violent offender, violent offender in nonviolent crime, or drug raids with no history of weapons. Team members recommended to be used unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
LEVEL III - Violent crime with a violent offender, crimes involving firearms, drug raids with known weapons inside. Team members will be utilized, unless unusual circumstances exist and can be documented.
LEVEL IV - Suicidal suspects, or Suspect who threatened to kill a police officer. Team members will be utilized.
If the above procedure for activation is implemented, it will remove the guess work as to when to activate the team. This system will also greatly reduce the civil liability on the department and supervisor who refuses to activate and utilize the Crisis Management Tactical Team, who are better trained and equipped to execute the job at hand.