Immediate Action Rapid Deployment
Encyclopedia
Immediate Action Rapid Deployment (IARD) is a police
tactic where first responders
, typically regular officers
, actively confront a developing high-risk crisis. This is opposed to first responders acting to assemble a cordon around the crisis zone, and then waiting for specialized special response units to spearhead a resolution.
IARD seeks to combat crimes which are generally the purview of special response units, but where special response units may not arrive in time to preserve the lives or property of victims.
. These include violent criminals armed with personal weapons or in possession of bombs or weapons of mass destruction. Confronting these criminals is especially important when the crisis occurs in public spaces, public facilities or utilities, or other venues with large populations.
First responders are tasked with aggressively prosecuting a resolution to the crisis. They must swiftly locate and close in on threats, neutralizing them at the earliest opportunity. To do so they may be required to move through unsecured areas, past injured or panicked victims. Responders may, at their discretion, assist affected individuals.
IARD authorizes first responders to be proactive and disrupt a crime before criminals become "active shooter
s". IARD shares characteristics with active shooter response procedures.
, including helmets and ballistic shield
s, to be used at the crisis scene and not during regular duties. The equipment must be easy to put on; excessive time spend gearing up may forestall a decisive intervention.
-type scenario and await a negotiator.
In these situations, first responders who quickly and decisively close with the attacker may prevent further casualties; at the very least it prevents the attacker from establishing control over the environment needed to cause more casualties. IARD overcomes the inherent desire to take time to devise a solution that minimizes casualties amongst officer and victims, in situations where any delay causes further casualties.
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
tactic where first responders
Certified first responder
A certified first responder is a person who has completed a course and received certification in providing pre-hospital care for medical emergencies. They have more skill than someone who is trained in basic first aid but they are not a substitute for advanced medical care rendered by emergency...
, typically regular officers
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
, actively confront a developing high-risk crisis. This is opposed to first responders acting to assemble a cordon around the crisis zone, and then waiting for specialized special response units to spearhead a resolution.
IARD seeks to combat crimes which are generally the purview of special response units, but where special response units may not arrive in time to preserve the lives or property of victims.
Description
IARD is used to confront aggressive criminals who pose an immediate and life-threatening threat to public safetyPublic Safety
Public safety involves the prevention of and protection from events that could endanger the safety of the general public from significant danger, injury/harm, or damage, such as crimes or disasters .-See also:* By nation...
. These include violent criminals armed with personal weapons or in possession of bombs or weapons of mass destruction. Confronting these criminals is especially important when the crisis occurs in public spaces, public facilities or utilities, or other venues with large populations.
First responders are tasked with aggressively prosecuting a resolution to the crisis. They must swiftly locate and close in on threats, neutralizing them at the earliest opportunity. To do so they may be required to move through unsecured areas, past injured or panicked victims. Responders may, at their discretion, assist affected individuals.
IARD authorizes first responders to be proactive and disrupt a crime before criminals become "active shooter
Active shooter
An active shooter is defined as "... an armed person who has used deadly physical force on other persons and continues to do so while having unrestricted access to additional victims."...
s". IARD shares characteristics with active shooter response procedures.
Preparation
IARD exposes regular officers to increased risk, and is made possible by additional training and equipment. Officers may be provided with additional body armourPersonal armor
Personal armor is the whole of protecting clothing, designed to absorb and/or deflect slashing, bludgeoning, and penetrating attacks. They were historically used to protect soldiers, whereas today, they are also used to protect police forces, private citizens and private security guards or...
, including helmets and ballistic shield
Ballistic shield
A ballistic shield or tactical shield is a hand-held shield that is capable of defending the user from handguns, shotguns and submachine guns. Less common are heavier and thicker rifle-protection shields that are mounted on wheels for ease of mobility...
s, to be used at the crisis scene and not during regular duties. The equipment must be easy to put on; excessive time spend gearing up may forestall a decisive intervention.
Rationale
IARD is partially a response to murder–suicides where criminals attack large groups and then kill themselves when confronted by armed responders. In a school shooting scenario, the attacker seeks only to maximize casualties, with most occurring within the first 15 minutes. It is not feasible to follow a traditional hostageHostage
A hostage is a person or entity which is held by a captor. The original definition meant that this was handed over by one of two belligerent parties to the other or seized as security for the carrying out of an agreement, or as a preventive measure against certain acts of war...
-type scenario and await a negotiator.
In these situations, first responders who quickly and decisively close with the attacker may prevent further casualties; at the very least it prevents the attacker from establishing control over the environment needed to cause more casualties. IARD overcomes the inherent desire to take time to devise a solution that minimizes casualties amongst officer and victims, in situations where any delay causes further casualties.