1. A. Initial Tactical Response Training Standards.

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

      1. (a) Philosophy of special tactical response operations;
      2. (b) Tactical response theory and concepts;
      3. (c) Overview of individual and team equipment;
      4. (d) Operational planning;
      5. (e) Overview of specialized tactical response functions;
      6. (f) Command post operations;
      7. (g) Individual and team movement;
      8. (h) Basic entry and search techniques;
      9. (i) Chemical agents and deployment;
      10. (j) Less lethal munitions and deployment;
      11. (k) Diversionary device usage;
      12. (l) Crisis negotiation and de-escalation skills;
      13. (m) Individual and team firearms training;
      14. (n) Purpose and intent of warrant service;
      15. (o) Problem solving situations in a scenario-based learning environment; and
      16. (p) Legal requirements.
   2. (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. (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.

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

   1. (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:

      1. (a) Weapons, munitions, and equipment;
      2. (b) Individual and team movement;
      3. (c) Decision making; and
      4. (d) Specialized tactical functions.
   2. (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. (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:

      1. (a) Covers one or more of the topics identified in §B(1) of this regulation; and
      2. (b) Occurs during the quarter for which the team member is seeking credit.
   4. (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.

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

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

      1. (a) Review of criminal incidents and tactical response operations;
      2. (b) Legal issues;
      3. (c) Mutual aid procedures;
      4. (d) Deployment and guidelines for deployment;
      5. (e) Hostage rescue;
      6. (f) Tactical team operations;
      7. (g) Command and control;
      8. (h) Command post operations;
      9. (i) Tactical operation procedures;
      10. (j) Tactical components and capabilities;
      11. (k) Tactical considerations and mission; and
      12. (l) Training scenarios and problem-solving simulations.

Authority: Correctional Services Article, §2-109; Public Safety Article, §§3-207 and 3-208; Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: September 21, 2020 (47:19 Md. R. 849)