Case Study: Hostage Situation, Officer Down!
1500 - 1700McConnell, Patricia
INCIDENT DEBRIEF
Location: Palo Verde BC
The Arlington Heights Illinois Police Department received several 911 calls reporting a violent domestic incident between the offender and his ex-girlfriend. The first officer on the scene learned that the offender was holding a gun to the victim's head. As he entered the residence to rescue the victim, the officer was shot in the head and fell into the residence, becoming trapped inside along with the offender and the victim.
Other responding officers attempted an officer-down rescue while negotiations with the offender began. This debrief uses original 911 calls, scene photographs, and interviews with numerous first responders to review the actions of the first responding patrol officers, SWAT team members, dispatchers, and other witnesses in working to resolve this critical incident.
The debrief includes lessons learned in negotiation techniques, managing information at a complex scene, safety priorities in SWAT activations, training and equipment needs, third-party intermediaries, and other critical issues for law enforcement.
Other responding officers attempted an officer-down rescue while negotiations with the offender began. This debrief uses original 911 calls, scene photographs, and interviews with numerous first responders to review the actions of the first responding patrol officers, SWAT team members, dispatchers, and other witnesses in working to resolve this critical incident.
The debrief includes lessons learned in negotiation techniques, managing information at a complex scene, safety priorities in SWAT activations, training and equipment needs, third-party intermediaries, and other critical issues for law enforcement.