0720.00 Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) Use

0720.00, Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) Use

Refer:
•    CNT SOP 2.1 Command and Team Responsibilities during Activations and Warrant Services
•    SERT SOPs 6.1., Search-Arrest Warrant Service, and 6.2., Planned Arrest and Search Warrant Execution

Definitions: 
•    Activation: Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and/or Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) resources responding to assist patrol operations or assume incident control in an emergency, in consultation with a SERT/CNT unit commander and/or CIC. Activation is dynamic and varies depending on need.

•    Critical Incident Commander (CIC): A specially trained on-call command officer who is available to consult and respond to all SERT/CNT Activations. The CIC has the authority and responsibility for all police actions related to incidents in which they respond or assume control, and reports to the designated Assistant Chief.

•    Incident Commander (IC): The person responsible for all incident activities, including developing strategies and tactics and monitoring resources. The IC has the overall authority and responsibility for conducting incident operations and is responsible for managing all incident operations at the incident site.

•    Planned Operation: For this directive, utilizing SERT and/or CNT resources as part of a proactive strategy with a documented plan, created before the scheduled operation, in consultation with a SERT/CNT unit commander and/or a CIC. This does not include hasty planning as part of a patrol response.  

•    Police Action: Any circumstance, on or off duty, in which a sworn member exercises or attempts to exercise police authority. This includes, but is not limited to, stops, searches, arrests, and use of force.

Policy:   
1.    This directive establishes procedures for accessing SERT and CNT resources, sets criteria for SERT and CNT consultation and Activation, provides guidance on Planned Operations, and defines chain of command responsibilities when SERT/CNT are Activated.

2.    The Bureau's patrol members are highly capable and regularly respond to many dynamic emergency situations; and, some incidents present increased or unusual risk and may require specifically trained ICs, tactical and negotiating teams, or special equipment to increase the ability to safely resolve them. This directive aims to assist members in analyzing situations and consulting with SERT to identify those incidents and determine whether SERT/CNT Activation is appropriate. It also discusses how to utilize SERT/CNT resources for Planned Operations.

3.    Nothing in this directive restricts or prohibits SERT or CNT members from taking lawful police action outside team Activation or excuses them from following other Bureau directives. All Bureau members are expected to comply with Bureau directives when on duty or taking police action.

Procedure:
1.    Considerations for SERT/CNT Consultation and Activation.  
1.1.    Patrol Initial Response. 
1.1.1.    The Operations Branch has full responsibility for the Bureau's initial response to a field tactical situation.  
1.1.2.    After responding members take reasonable efforts to resolve an incident, they may request SERT and CNT assistance through a SERT/CNT emergency consultation.  

1.2.    Analyzing the Incident and Consulting SERT and CNT.
1.2.1.    Supervisors are encouraged to consult SERT/CNT by contacting a SERT/CNT sergeant if they have any doubt about whether SERT/CNT resources are needed.
1.2.2.    When analyzing the incident, supervisors should consider the totality of the circumstances and be prepared to discuss the following topics:
1.2.2.1.    Legal standing and government interest: The suspect's threat to the public or members, probable cause for any crimes, and consultation with Detectives, if any.
1.2.2.2.    Looping: Repeated tactics or commands are resulting in regression, decreased suspect compliance, or stagnation. 
1.2.2.3.    Increased threat: The suspect's verbal or physical acts of violence are escalating.
1.2.2.4.    Outgrowing abilities: The suspect's weapons, conduct, or location present an increased or unusual risk that patrol members are unable to safely address.
1.2.2.5.    Staffing: The initial patrol response has been lengthy or arduous and members, or patrol operations, require relief to resume normal precinct operations.

1.3.    SERT/CNT emergency consultations may produce the following outcomes: 1) No Activation; 2) Activation for the purpose of assisting and working with patrol, or 3) Activation where SERT/CNT respond and assume control of the incident. Activation is dynamic and varies depending on need.

1.4.    Activation Decision After Consultation.  
1.4.1.    The SERT unit commander or designee shall decide the role and scope of SERT involvement.
1.4.2.    The CNT unit commander or designee shall decide the role and scope of CNT involvement.
1.4.3.    When both a SERT and CNT unit commander are responding or present, they shall notify a CIC.
1.4.4.    For full SERT/CNT team Activations, a CIC shall respond as IC.

1.5.    Activation Notice. 
1.5.1.    Upon Activation, the requesting supervisor is responsible for notifying their chain of command of SERT/CNT involvement.

2.    Mandatory SERT/CNT Consultation. 
2.1.    Activation Authority and Consultation Expectation.
2.1.1.    For some incidents, there may be no time for consultation before activation (e.g., certain hostage or sniper situations). Therefore, supervisors may activate SERT/CNT at any time during an incident, without consulting SERT/CNT, if there is an articulable exigent threat. 
2.1.2.    Absent exigency, supervisors shall consult SERT/CNT before activation.

2.2.    The IC shall notify a SERT sergeant for a consultation once they reasonably believe that any of the following situations exist:

2.2.1.    Barricaded Armed or Violent Person: 
2.2.1.1.    A person uses an obstruction (e.g., building, car, etc.);
2.2.1.2.    And is armed, believed to be armed, or threatens violence to accomplish a criminal goal, such as avoiding capture;
2.2.1.3.    And disengagement is not appropriate.

2.2.2.    Area Search for a Person Armed with a Gun: 
2.2.2.1.    A person is armed with a gun; and
2.2.2.2.    Has fled or is hiding from members in a contained area – this requires likely effective containment of the suspect within a suitable geographic area.

2.2.3.    Hostage Situation: 
2.2.3.1.    A person being held captive by a suspect; and
2.2.3.2.    The suspect is reasonably believed to be armed; and
2.2.3.3.    The suspect is holding the person captive as a means of forcing compliance with some demand.

2.2.4.    Sniper Situation: 
2.2.4.1.    A person armed with a gun; and
2.2.4.2.    Shooting or threatening to shoot at others, typically from a concealed or long-distance position.

3.    Mandatory SERT/CNT Activation. 
3.1.    The IC, or any supervisor with sufficient knowledge, shall notify BOEC and request SERT/CNT once they reasonably believe that an Active Violence Incident exists.

3.1.1.    Active Violence Incidents require:  
3.1.1.1.    An armed person(s) (i.e., with a knife, firearm, vehicle, or explosive device); 
3.1.1.2.    Who has the ability and intent to use, or has used, deadly force on other person(s); and
3.1.1.3.    Continues to do so while having unrestricted access to additional victims. 

3.1.2.    No SERT/CNT consultation required for Active Violence Incidents.

4.    Planned Operations.
4.1.    Any member may request SERT/CNT assistance for Planned Operations – the SERT/CNT unit commander may approve or deny such requests.

4.2.    Members shall consult their direct supervisor before requesting SERT/CNT assistance for Planned Operations. 
4.2.1.    The requesting member's supervisor shall notify their chain of command up through the RU Manager if a member submits a request for SERT/CNT assistance for a Planned Operation.

4.3.    Risk Assessment for Planned Arrest and Search Warrants. 
4.3.1.    Members shall consult with SERT by contacting a SERT sergeant and submitting a written operation plan for all planned search warrants before execution so that SERT can assess risk and determine if SERT involvement is needed. 
4.3.1.1.    This requirement does not apply to administrative searches of devices, items, or locations already in police custody and control. 
4.3.2.    Members shall consult with SERT by contacting a SERT sergeant and submitting a written operation plan for all planned arrest warrant operations involving violent felony offenses or subjects reasonably believed to be armed. 
4.3.2.1.    This requirement does not apply to:
4.3.2.1.1.    Spontaneous patrol arrest warrant service in which members encounter wanted subjects and engage in hasty planning.
4.3.2.1.2.    Task Force Officer (TFO) members who are operating in support of an outside agency's plan.   
4.3.3.    Members may consult with SERT by contacting a SERT sergeant for all planned warrants, regardless of offense, to request or consider SERT assistance. 
4.3.4.    All SERT warrant plans require prior SERT team commander or CIC approval.  

4.4.    SERT and CNT are available for a range of Planned Operations including dignitary protection, search warrants, fugitive apprehension, and major public events.

5.    Responsibilities and Chain of Command.  
5.1.    Incident Commander (IC). 
5.1.1.    The on-scene IC has the authority and responsibility for all police actions during the incident unless, or until, relieved by the CIC.

5.2.    Critical Incident Commander (CIC). 
5.2.1.    The CIC has the authority and responsibility for any SERT/CNT Activations in which they respond and assume control.  
5.2.2.    The CIC shall inform the designated Assistant Chief of all Activations in which they respond and/or assume control, and the service of high-risk warrants, as soon as it is practical to do so.  

5.3.    Precinct Commander. 
5.3.1.    The Precinct Commander (or designee) will direct patrol resources in support of the incident at the direction of the CIC and will manage precinct operations unrelated to the event.  
5.3.2.    If the Precinct Commander is the CIC for the incident, the Precinct Commander shall designate a member to supervise the precinct response and operations.

5.4.    If all CICs are unavailable, the designated Assistant Chief shall respond and manage all emergency SERT/CNT Activations.  If the Assistant Chief is unavailable, the Precinct Commander of the event location shall be responsible. If they are not available, the Precinct Commander closest geographically to the incident shall be responsible.

5.5.    The tactical functions the CIC is responsible for include:
5.5.1.    Assess the situation.
5.5.1.1.    Determine Legal standing.
5.5.1.2.    Assume command and communicate.
5.5.1.3.    Ensure adequate and appropriate resources are on-scene or en-route. 
5.5.1.4.    Prioritize the objectives (e.g., life/safety, containment needs, end state, etc.).  
5.5.2.    Develop a plan.
5.5.2.1.    The plan and subsequent supporting missions are based on the above assessment. Continually re-evaluate as the call progresses.  
5.5.2.2.    Create a command post that includes SERT, CNT, and Patrol command.
5.5.2.3.    Consult with SERT, CNT, and Patrol when time allows.
5.5.2.4.    Communication: Ensure that SERT, CNT, and Patrol all have the same situational awareness.  
5.5.3.    Execute the mission.
5.5.3.1.    Communicate clear and specific missions to each resource.
5.5.3.2.    Clearly communicate the CIC's intent throughout the incident.   
5.5.3.3.    Communicate the results of each mission to maintain the same situational awareness by SERT, CNT, and Patrol.
5.5.4.    Support.
5.5.4.1.    Displaced community members.
5.5.4.2.    Relief of members.
5.5.4.3.    Medical.
5.5.4.4.    Fire.
5.5.4.5.    Designation of an off-site briefing post for City representatives.
5.5.4.6.    Public Information Officer (PIO): Coordinate media message and/or community notification.
5.5.4.7.    Post-incident coordination.

5.6.    Once the Activation procedure has been initiated, SERT and CNT shall be on standby status until the on-scene IC or the CIC directs them to perform in either their separate functions or as part of the operation.

5.7.    SERT and CNT may be canceled only by the on-scene IC or the CIC.

5.8.    Chemical Munitions Authorization.
5.8.1.    Chemical munitions require CIC authorization, absent exigency.  

6.    Outside Agency Resources.
6.1.    Outside agency tactical and negotiation teams may provide coverage or resources when SERT and CNT are unavailable.

6.2.    When an outside agency provides coverage or resources in place of SERT/CNT and commands the incident, the appropriate precinct commander or designee shall respond to the scene.
   
7.    Outside Agency Requests. 
7.1.    Outside agency requests for full team SERT and CNT assistance within a 50-mile radius of the City of Portland require approval from the on-call CIC and the designated Assistant Chief.  

7.2.    Requests for full team SERT and CNT assistance beyond the 50-mile radius require the approval of the Deputy Chief of Police or, if unavailable, the designated Assistant Chief.  

7.3.    All approved outside requests for full team SERT and CNT assistance require SERT and CNT command to respond and notify a CIC. The unit commanders or CIC will work with the agency lead assigned to command the incident and ensure that full team SERT and CNT resources are properly and safely utilized.  

7.4.    Requests for SERT and CNT assistance short of full team services require approval by the SERT or CNT team commander or designee.

7.5.    When responding to assist outside agencies, members shall comply with any existing Mutual Aid Agreement.

Effective:               09/02/2026
Next Review:        09/02/2028