Code of Maryland Regulations
Title 12 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
Subtitle 04 - POLICE TRAINING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION
Chapter 12.04.08 - Special Tactical Response
Section 12.04.08.04 - Minimum Training Requirements for a Special Tactical Response

Universal Citation: MD Code Reg 12.04.08.04

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 19, September 20, 2024

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.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maryland may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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