Security and police officers frequently encounter situations requiring them to clear buildings and rooms, such as responding to alarms, investigating burglaries, or addressing unauthorized intrusions. Proper training in these procedures is crucial to ensure officer safety, protect the public, and effectively manage potential threats.
High Frequency of Relevant Calls for Service
Law enforcement agencies consistently handle a substantial number of calls requiring building searches. For instance, the Jacksonville Police Department reported 24,314 service calls in 2024, marking a 7.94% increase from the previous year. While specific data on building searches isn't always detailed, the overall rise in service calls underscores the necessity for officers to be adept in clearing techniques.
Additionally, security officers play a pivotal role in handling similar incidents on private properties, businesses, and residential complexes. With the rise in commercial burglaries and trespassing incidents, security professionals often find themselves responding to threats before law enforcement arrives.
Risks Associated with Inadequate Training
The absence of comprehensive training can lead to severe consequences. According to the FBI's stats, Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) 2019 Report, 24 officers were lost between 2015 and 2019 during tactical situations, including building searches. These statistics highlight the dangers officers face and the critical need for effective training to mitigate such risks.
For security officers, the risks are equally significant. According to a study from the Security Industry Association (SIA), approximately 100 security officers are killed annually while responding to threats, including armed confrontations during building clearings. Security officers often operate without the same level of backup as police, making proper tactics essential for survival and effectiveness.
Security Officer-Involved Shootings
Security officers are involved in an increasing number of deadly force incidents, particularly in high-crime areas and commercial properties. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that security officers experience workplace homicides at a rate significantly higher than many other professions.
A report from the Violence Policy Center (VPC) highlighted that between 2015 and 2022, private security officers were involved in over 1,300 shooting incidents across the United States. In many cases, these incidents occurred during confrontations with armed suspects in buildings and enclosed spaces. Poor training in room-clearing and threat assessment has been cited as a contributing factor in many of these events, leading to unnecessary escalations, injuries, and fatalities.
Challenges Faced by Patrol and Security Officers
Patrol officers and security personnel often conduct building searches under less-than-ideal conditions,
frequently operating alone or with minimal backup due to staffing constraints. Notably, approximately 93% of U.S. law enforcement agencies have fewer than 100 officers, and about 75% have no more than 24 officers. This reality necessitates training that prepares officers for solo or small-team clearing operations.
Security officers, who typically work in privately owned environments, lack the tactical support available to police. Many security personnel are expected to handle threats on their own until law enforcement arrives. Without proper training, security officers inadvertently place themselves and others in danger by failing to control their environment effectively.
Security Officers Responding to Alarm Intrusions
Security officers often respond to alarm intrusion calls before law enforcement arrives. When approaching a potentially unsecured building, they must assess the situation and determine the best course of action. Proper training dictates that security officers:
Assess the Threat Level: If there are clear signs of forced entry, the officer should maintain a safe distance, observe, and relay critical information to law enforcement rather than entering alone.
Solo Clearing Techniques: In situations where security officers must clear a building alone, they should use deliberate clearing methods, maximizing cover and minimizing exposure while ensuring safe progression.
Wait for Law Enforcement: If conditions allow, it is best to secure the perimeter and wait for law enforcement to arrive, ensuring the safest resolution to the situation.
Use Communication Tools: Security officers should utilize radios, mobile devices, or surveillance systems to gather real-time information and coordinate with responding officers.
Understanding when to clear solo and when to wait for backup is critical in ensuring the safety of the responding officer and others in the area. Without proper training, an officer may inadvertently escalate a situation, putting themselves and bystanders at unnecessary risk.
Diverse Tactical Approaches
Training should encompass both dynamic and deliberate entry techniques:
Dynamic Entry: This involves rapid entry with the element of surprise, suitable for scenarios with imminent threats, such as active shooter situations.
Deliberate Entry: This method focuses on slow, methodical clearing, prioritizing officer safety and thoroughness.
Officers and security personnel must be adept at assessing situations to determine the appropriate approach. Misjudging an entry method can lead to increased risks for both responders and bystanders.
Why Apex Tactical Institute Covers This Type of Training
Apex Tactical Institute, powered by the Dark Gift Combat Fighting System, recognizes the critical need for proper building and room clearing training. Our program is designed to address the real-world challenges faced by security and police officers. We focus on:
Scenario-Based Training: Realistic, high-stress simulations that replicate actual incidents officers may encounter in the field.
Tactical Decision-Making: Teaching officers and security personnel how to assess threats dynamically and choose the best entry technique.
Solo and Team Clearing Methods: Equipping trainees with the skills needed to operate alone or within a small team when backup is limited.
Use of Force and De-Escalation: Ensuring that officers understand when to engage and how to control potentially volatile situations without unnecessary force.
Modern Equipment Utilization: Training with the latest tactical gear, including ballistic shields, surveillance tools, and entry devices.
By offering comprehensive training that combines hand-to-hand combat, firearms proficiency, and tactical movement, Apex Tactical Institute ensures that security and police officers are well-prepared for real-world encounters. Our mission is to provide the highest level of readiness to those who protect lives and property.
Recommendations for Enhanced Training
Realistic Scenario Training: Incorporate simulations that reflect real-world environments,
complete with furniture and obstacles, to better prepare officers for actual conditions.Resource-Based Training: Develop protocols for solo or 2 man and small-team operations, acknowledging that officers often have limited backup.
Threat Recognition: Emphasize the importance of situational awareness, teaching officers to detect subtle cues indicating potential threats.
Use of Technology: Integrate modern tools, such as advanced flashlights, surveillance equipment, and ballistic shields, to aid in clearing operations.
Firearms and De-Escalation Training: Teach officers how to properly engage threats in confined spaces while also emphasizing de-escalation tactics to prevent unnecessary use of force.
Legal and Ethical Considerations: Ensure officers and security personnel understand the legal implications of force usage during building searches, particularly in private security roles where liability concerns are significant.
Conclusion
Comprehensive training in building and room clearing is essential for security and police officers. The increasing number of incidents requiring building searches, combined with the risks posed by inadequate training, makes it imperative that officers receive structured and scenario-based education. Such preparation not only enhances officer and public safety but also ensures effective and efficient responses to the increasing demands of law enforcement and security duties. Apex Tactical Institute remains committed to providing cutting-edge training that equips officers with the skills needed to succeed in high-risk environments.
Mr. Traylor
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