Md. Code Regs. 12.04.08.04

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 12.04.08.04 - Minimum Training Requirements for a Special Tactical Response

A. Initial Tactical Response Training Standards.

(1) Prior to initial deployment, each new team leader or member shall attend and successfully complete a Commission-approved course of study that includes:

(a) Philosophy of special tactical response operations;

(b) Tactical response theory and concepts;

(c) Overview of individual and team equipment;

(d) Operational planning;

(e) Overview of specialized tactical response functions;

(f) Command post operations;

(g) Individual and team movement;

(h) Basic entry and search techniques;

(i) Chemical agents and deployment;

(j) Less lethal munitions and deployment;

(k) Diversionary device usage;

(l) Crisis negotiation and de-escalation skills;

(m) Individual and team firearms training;

(n) Purpose and intent of warrant service;

(o) Problem solving situations in a scenario-based learning environment; and

(p) Legal requirements.

(2) A Commission-approved course of study for initial special tactical response shall include a minimum of 40 hours of classroom instruction, written examination, and practical exercise that meets the standards established in §A(1) of this regulation.

(3) Successful completion of a Commission-approved course of study for initial special tactical response requires a police officer to obtain a minimum passing score of 80 percent in all classes.

B. Continuing Quarterly and Annual Special Tactical Response Training Standards.

(1) Quarterly, each team leader and member shall complete a minimum of 24 hours of documented training in one or more of the following special tactical core competencies:

(a) Weapons, munitions, and equipment;

(b) Individual and team movement;

(c) Decision making; and

(d) Specialized tactical functions.

(2) Each special tactical response team shall successfully complete a minimum of 40 hours of documented, team-based training over a 12-month period, with the full team, consisting of lectures, drills, operational risk assessments, and scenario-based exercises.

(3) Training hours obtained during a team-based training as specified in §B(2) of this regulation may be applied to an individual team member's quarterly training requirement if the team-based training:

(a) Covers one or more of the topics identified in §B(1) of this regulation; and

(b) Occurs during the quarter for which the team member is seeking credit.

(4) If a team member maintains one or more specialized team positions, such as deliberate hostage rescue, or integrated tactical response K-9, the team member shall participate in additional documented training that is mandated and specific to each specialized position.

C. Special Tactical Response Training Requirements for a Tactical Commander.

(1) A tactical commander shall attend and successfully complete a documented tactical commander course within 1 year of assignment to a special tactical response team.

(2) Biennially, a tactical commander shall successfully complete a minimum of 16 hours of one or more of the following training topics:

(a) Review of criminal incidents and tactical response operations;

(b) Legal issues;

(c) Mutual aid procedures;

(d) Deployment and guidelines for deployment;

(e) Hostage rescue;

(f) Tactical team operations;

(g) Command and control;

(h) Command post operations;

(i) Tactical operation procedures;

(j) Tactical components and capabilities;

(k) Tactical considerations and mission; and

(l) Training scenarios and problem-solving simulations.

Md. Code Regs. 12.04.08.04

Regulation .04 adopted effective 47:19 Md. R. 849, eff. 9/21/2020