SEMINAR

This two-hour block of instruction will address contemporary issues in tactical policing, with a focus on the evolving challenges faced by tactical teams. Special emphasis will be placed on identifying key areas of concern and providing pre-event strategies to recognize and mitigate risks. Topics will be explored through relevant case studies, offering participants a deeper understanding of the underlying problems and the decision-making processes that contribute to successful outcomes. Areas of discussion will include a historical overview of the evolution of tactical policing; SWAT team autonomy and associated issues of unprofessional conduct; the use of less-lethal tools and tactics in a post-Ferguson/Floyd era; the role of SWAT and related operational considerations; officer identification; managing officer-created jeopardy; safety prioritization; interactions with individuals experiencing mental illness or medical distress; and barricaded subjects, with a particular focus on suicidal individuals.