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Emergency Services

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Vision Statement

Vision Statement

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TACTICAL OPERATIONS (SWAT)

The Emergency Services Response Team, comprised of officers with primary assignments in various sections of the department, handles the containment and apprehension of armed barricaded persons, hostage incidents, found explosives and other potentially volatile situations. The Emergency Services Response Team consists of three units, the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), Negotiations, and the Bomb Squad. Officers take great pride in their equipment, training, and professionalism during crisis incidents.

The SWAT Team, with membership in the National Tactical Officers Association, consists of officers from the Flagstaff Police Department, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, and seven Flagstaff Firefighters who serve as team medics. In addition to receiving training, SWAT officers bring training back to their individual squads to better equip fellow officers with their daily duties.

In 2021, SWAT officers received national level training in the areas of basic SWAT tactics and movement and Long-Range Precision Marksmanship. SWAT Officers continued to train in Active Shooter Preparedness, Zone-Based Movement, Open Field Movement and Nighttime operations using Night Vision devices and Firearms.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

SWAT Officers deployed as a team to four callouts this year. Several of the call outs involved armed or suspected to be armed barricaded subjects.

In June a subject had a felony arrest warrant from Yavapai Co. and was wanted on domestic terrorism charges due to threats he made to blow up county and municipal buildings. The subject was located at his residence on Darleen, barricaded in a bathroom and SWAT was called. Entry was made to bathroom by forcing door open and arrest was made with minor injuries to suspect.

In July a subject attempted to homestead in a residence where the occupant recently passed away. Family found the subject inside and he refused to leave. Patrol arrived and the subject barricaded and armed himself with knives and a machete. Negotiations and SWAT attempted to have the subject leave peacefully for over 3 hours until it was decided to introduce gas. The subject attempted to escape out a 2nd story window and was apprehended on scene.

In September, SWAT was asked to assist with a felony warrant subject. This subject had previously fled from the US Marshalls Service. Later the subject was found to be barricaded in a residence with a 9mm handgun and four dogs known to bite. USMS on scene first, CCSO shortly after. Residence surrounded and perimeter established. No contact with subject for over 3 hours; SWAT team called and mobilized. Upon arrival at residence, subject voluntarily surrendered and was taken into custody without incident.

In October, SWAT responded to a subject who was involved in a domestic violence incident where he threatened to pistol whip his estranged girlfriend . Later he broke into her apartment by smashing a back door. Contact was made by police and he refused to come out. SWAT members arrived and took over the scene. Members made entry and found that the house was full of natural gas in an apparent attempt to blow up the apartment. Fire personnel were called to shut off the gas and clear the fumes. Windows were broken to gain access to a room the subject was believed to be hiding in. A pepperball less lethal weapon was deployed through the window and the subject ultimately surrendered.

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FLAGSTAFF POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2021

CRISIS NEGOTIATIONS TEAM

Incidents involving barricaded subjects, hostage takers, or persons threatening suicide are stressful moments for law enforcement personnel who respond to them. Officers responding to these scenes quickly assess the totality of the situation, secure the area, gauge the threat to hostages or bystanders, and request additional resources, as appropriate. Crisis negotiators must establish contact with subjects; identify their demands and work to resolve these tense and volatile standoffs without loss of life. The five members of the Crisis Negotiations Team are on call to diffuse volatile situations through verbal communications with suspects. Officers assigned to this team are trained to work closely with the Tactical Operations Team and with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Department Crisis Response Team.

Accomplishments

The Crisis Negotiations Team responded to eight calls for service in 2021. The first call occurred in January 2021 when patrol officers responded to a suicidal subject at a residence in the Christmas Tree neighborhood. The subject was reportedly armed with a firearm and was threatening to commit suicide. As officers on scene established a safe perimeter a CNT operator was called to the scene and established communication with the subject. After a multi-hour communication operation with the subject, CNT was able to peacefully resolve the situation with a voluntary surrender. The subject was immediately treated on scene and was provided with mental health care.

In March 2021 patrol officers responded to a call to assist a local mental health facility with returning a subject who had fled. Officers contacted the subject at a home in the Lower Greenlaw neighborhood, in the backyard. CNT operators were called to the scene immediately as the subject was armed with a knife and was threatening self-harm. CNT was able to speak with the subject in person and after a multi-hour negotiation were able to peacefully resolve the situation and return the subject back to the treatment facility without any injury or harm to the subject or the subject.

In July of 2021 patrol officers responded to an address in the Sunnyside neighborhood for reports of a home burglary in progress. Officers on scene established a perimeter and were able to positively observe a suspect inside a residential unit. The suspect was wanted for previous crimes but was unknown to police at the time. After several hours of attempts to communicate, CNT operators were called to the scene and were able to establish positive communication through an upstairs window. Surrounding schools and homes were placed in a lockdown for the safety of the community. After several more hours of attempts at a peaceful resolution the SWAT team began to conduct a plan of action. As the SWAT team entered the upstairs residence the suspect attempted to flee through a second story window. Ground units completing the perimeter were able to take the suspect into custody without further incident and the suspect was booked into jail on numerous charges.

The remaining calls for CNT were active and hostile scenes but were resolved peacefully prior to the CNT arrival. The Coconino County Crisis Negotiations Team operates as a regional team and services all of the County to include urban and rural areas.

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BOMB SQUAD

The primary mission of the Bomb Squad is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents in the city as well as the safety of all public safety personnel who may be first responders to an explosive-related incident. The Flagstaff Police Department Bomb Squad has been serving the residents of Flagstaff since 1970. The team is comprised of four highly trained bomb technicians who are responsible for handling, transportation and rendering safe all explosive items located within the City and Coconino County. This responsibility extends to the proper handling of abandoned explosives and chemicals that have outlived their life expectancy. The team also assists other local agencies with explosives and the SWAT and Hostage Negotiations Teams with barricaded suspects.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In 2021, The Flagstaff Police Department Bomb Squad responded to fifteen calls for service both inside and outside the city. These included suspicious packages calls, found explosives or devices, hoax devices, protective sweeps, threat calls, and assisting SWAT. In addition, members of the team conducted numerous explosive destructions and inspections, security assignments and dignitary protection details.

In 2021 COVID-19 reduced the amount and number of in-person events that the Bomb Team normally participate in. The Bomb Squad was able to participate in some of the regularly scheduled annual events such as the Citizen’s Police Academy, and National Night Out. The Police Academy and National Park Ranger Academy training in explosives safety were conducted. The members of the Bomb Squad are required to complete 24 hours a month of proficiency training, one 40hour class a year and re-certify every three years to maintain their certification.

Detective Wotasik completed his 6-week Hazardous Device Certification Course in Huntsville. SGT Hernandez was promoted to Lieutenant, and SGT Brockman was named Bomb Squad Commander. A test was conducted, and OFC Coules reassumed her position on the Bomb Squad and DET Chirovsky was placed on the team as an alternate.

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