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E.P.P. 037 LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT ENFORCEMENT POLICY & PROCEDURE NUMBER: EPP – 37 SUBJECT: SET TEAM OPERATIONS AND RAIDS EFFECTIVE: MAY 25, 2001 REVISED: JANUARY 1, 2023 ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE SET TEAM OPERATIONS AND RAIDS EPP – 37 Page 1 of 4 I. POLICY It is the policy of this department that tactical operations for raids and Set Team Operations are to be properly planned and conducted thereby ensuring effectiveness and the safety of department members and the community at large. II. PURPOSE The intent of this policy is to establish guidelines for officers to follow when preparing for raid planning or Set Team Operations. III. DEFINITIONS A. Raid The invasion of a building or location for a lawful purpose. This purpose, or objective, is usually the apprehension of a suspect, the seizure of evidence or contraband, or the recovery of stolen property. NOTE: Members conducting raids that require a search warrant shall adhere to Enforcement Policy and Procedure #39 “Search and Seizure”. IV. AUTHORIZATION AND SUPERVISION A. All raids shall be authorized by either the chief of police or his designee. B. Under normal circumstances the unit supervisor will assure all supervisory responsibilities for the coordination, planning, and execution of the raid. C. In the event SWAT is required for the raid operation, the ranking SWAT Team commander will assume authority of the raid operation until the location is secured. Upon securing the scene, the unit supervisor will then direct the ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE SET TEAM OPERATIONS AND RAIDS EPP – 37 Page 2 of 4 activities of the personnel involved in the raid. The Unit Lieutenant will be notified whenever SWAT is requested. V. BRIEFING A. In all raids a briefing should be held with all officers involved wherein the raid plan will be explained by the supervisor and case coordinator. B. When practical, every raid plan will contain background information on the violator consisting of but not limited to the following: 1. Previous offenses; 2. Associates; 3. Weapons; 4. Vehicles; 5. Where applicable, the layout of the residence, business, or area where the raid is to occur; 6. Any other information, which will assist in the case or raid and may aid in providing safety of all concerned. C. Case coordinator will document and explain assignments and tasks for each officer involved in the raid. VI. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES A. The unit supervisor or his designee will be designated as the raid coordinator. The raid coordinator shall be responsible for the following duties prior to a raid: 1. The Patrol Lieutenant and the Communications Supervisor will be notified prior to the raid. 2. The preparation of the strategies and tactics that will be used in approaching, entering, securing, and leaving the target area. 3. The selection of the equipment that will be needed to properly and safely execute the raid (entry tools, monitoring devices, vests, etc.). 4. The selection of the appropriate support units when it is determined that they may be needed to provide tactical access, security or medical ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE SET TEAM OPERATIONS AND RAIDS EPP – 37 Page 3 of 4 assistance at the scene. Care should be taken to ensure adequate notice is given for specialized personnel, units, or other agencies. 5. Procedures for radio communications such as emergency and non- emergency channels will be established with said support units prior to the raid, if necessary. 6. During the briefing of personnel the department policy concerning the use of force will be covered. 7. The case coordinator will show the supervisor the location to be raided. This is normally done by driving by the target location. 8. The supervisor or case coordinator will designate specific personnel to make all necessary arrests of suspects and to transport the suspects after arrest. 9. If necessary, the supervisor will contact the State Attorney’s Office in advance to determine legal sufficiency and the legal ramifications of the raid. VII. DOCUMENTATION A. The case coordinator will ensure that all contraband and evidence seized is accounted for, documented, and entered into the property/evidence section as outlined in EPP 11. Searches and seizures will be conducted in accordance with the guidelines listed in EPP 39. B. At the conclusion of the raid, the case coordinator will complete and submit all necessary paperwork to the manager for approval. C. Any evident or claimed injury by any occupant is to be documented in the police report and photos are to be taken. When appropriate, a Use of Force report will be completed. D. Any damage done by members of the department is to be documented in the police report and photos are to be taken. VIII. SET TEAM PROCEDURES A. Operational plan: When implementing a Set Team proposal, an Operational plan will be drafted on the approved form. The plan will include all aspects of the plan, including but not limited to; staffing, equipment, purpose, methodology, goal, and objectives, as ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE SET TEAM OPERATIONS AND RAIDS EPP – 37 Page 4 of 4 well as any necessary diagrams, funding, sources, if applicable, and outside agency assistance. An Operation Commander will be designated and identified in the plan. The operational plan will be drafted by the originator of the plan. Once the plan is completed, it will be submitted via the chain of command for approval. The chief or his designee will have the final approval and authorization of the plan. Any division having resources involved in the operation will have the opportunity for that Division Supervisor to review the plan and adjust the resources, if necessary. This will ensure that only reasonable available resources would be committed to the operation. All Division Supervisor signatures are required before being submitted for final approval by the chief or his designee, B. Implementation: Once the operational plan is approved by the chief or his designee, it will be returned to the Division Supervisor of the division from which the plan originated. The Division Supervisor will then hold a meeting as early as possible with the plan originator, designated Operation Commander and other key personnel identified by the Division Supervisor. This meeting will establish the initial staff, assignments, timetables, and coordination required to implement the plan. Prior to the execution of the operation, a general briefing will be held to detail all aspects of the plan to all personnel involved. C. Post Operational Procedures: Upon completion of the operation, the operational plan will be supplemented by a report documenting: what action was taken and what objective was achieved. Copies of any paperwork associated with action taken will be photo copied and attached. The completed package will be forwarded to the Patrol Lieutenant for file purposes.