Breaches are a situation you’ll face often while on patrol, and how you handle them sets the tone for the entire operation. A breach done right is sharp, controlled, and professional. This guide gives you everything you need to know to approach one with confidence.
Before moving in, always attempt to de-escalate. Use your voice first—give the suspects inside three clear chances to come out and surrender. If they refuse, only then do you move to the next step.
Factors to consider:
When breaching a building you should take many key factors into consideration before proceeding:
Are there any hostages?
Are there any suspects?
Are there Firearms?
Entry Points
Are there any hostages ?
Before even thinking about breaching, your top priority is to confirm whether there are hostages inside. You must be absolutely certain—going in blind risks collateral damage, which is the last thing we want.
If hostages are present, do not breach immediately. Instead, switch to negotiation and do everything you can to secure their safety first.
How many suspects are there ?
Before making any move, take time to gather as much information as possible about the situation. Knowing how many suspects are inside and outside the building will make the breach more controlled, less stressful, and easier to coordinate.
Use available resources like NPAS (air support) or drones to scout the area. These tools can give you a clear picture of suspect positions, movements, and potential escape routes.
If suspects are spotted outside, they should always be dealt with first. Removing external threats not only reduces the risk of being flanked during the breach but also helps secure the perimeter, giving you and your team the advantage once you move inside.
Good intelligence is the foundation of a safe and successful breach—never go in blind.
Are there Firearms involved ?
Always assess whether firearms are involved before carrying out a breach. This factor can completely change the outcome of the situation. Knowing if suspects are armed allows the PD to plan more effectively, minimize risks, and protect civilians from harm.
The presence of firearms will also determine who can safely take part in the breach. If armed suspects are confirmed, only firearm-trained officers should be involved. Non-firearm officers should not attempt to breach in these situations, as doing so puts themselves and others in unnecessary danger.
By identifying firearms early, you give your team the best chance of controlling the scene quickly, safely, and with minimal risk.
Entry Points:
Before breaching, always take time to scan the building and identify every possible entry point—doors, windows, side entrances, or even higher-level access points. Having a clear understanding of your options allows you to plan the breach more effectively and react if the situation changes.
Whenever possible, coordinate with your team to use multiple entry points. This strategy puts suspects under pressure, forcing them to divide their focus between different areas. With their attention split, your team can move in more safely and gain control of the situation faster.
However, multiple entry points require clear communication and timing. All officers involved should know their exact role, position, and when to move. Poor coordination can cause confusion and even put officers at risk of crossfire.
By carefully choosing and coordinating entry points, you not only make the breach easier but also maximize safety and efficiency for both officers and civilians.
Structure:
When approaching a breach, all officers must follow these procedures to ensure the operation is safe, coordinated, and professional.
Form Groups
If there is more than one entrance, officers should split into groups to cover each entry point.
Communication
Before moving in, attempt to talk the suspects down.
Give three clear verbal warnings, with five seconds between each, giving them the chance to surrender peacefully.
Stack Up
Once warnings are ignored, officers stack up on their assigned entrance, left to right, ready to move.
Confirm Readiness
Leaders of each entry team confirm they are in position via radio. Example:
“Foxtrot Set”
“Bravo Set
Call the breach
The leader of Foxtrot makes the final call: “Breach, breach, breach!”
On this command, all units enter at the same time, maintaining coordination and control.
This is the required order for officer placement during every breach at all times:
MO-19
Divisional Command
SMG Trained Officers
Shotgun Trained Officers
Glock Trained Officers
Glock trained officers should hold back from stacking unless told to, or when MO-19 isn’t on duty. They should stay around the perimeter of the active scene making sure there is no one from the public intervening and keeping them safe. This goes for those officers that are also not glock trained.