Rethinking Police Response to Barricade Situations

By Calibre Press Instructor Chief Scott Hughes

A recent incident in Ogle County, Illinois, where three members of an emergency response team (including a tactical medic) were shot while responding to a barricaded individual threatening suicide and homicide, highlights the urgent need to reassess law enforcement’s approach to such situations. The team members were attempting to make entry after nearly three hours of failed negotiations with the suspect, who was the sole occupant of the residence.

According to reports, the situation began when deputies responded to an early morning call about a man threatening to kill himself and others. The suspect’s mother had contacted the police after her son expressed homicidal and suicidal ideations. Despite extensive efforts to negotiate, the decision to enter the home was made after hours of standoff, leading to the team being met with immediate gunfire.

This incident underscores law enforcement’s risks in such volatile situations and raises critical questions about current protocols and resource allocation. From a tactical standpoint we need to ask whether a decision to enter a barricaded residence where the only real threat at the time is to the intentionally barricaded, non-compliant subject himself is the right decision. Is “waiting the subject out” a feasible option? If not, why not?

From a personnel and resource allocation perspective and taking effectiveness into consideration, we need to critically evaluate whether the right individuals are involved. Is this a situation where less officers need to be tied up and mental health professionals, who may be more effective at handling a person in mental crisis, can play a larger role safely? More officers at this type of call means less patrolling and answering calls for service. We’re already short staffed. Can we wisely avoid making the issues that come with that worse?

Read the full article here: https://calibrepress.com/2024/06/rethinking-police-response-to-barricade-situations/