Applicable To: All employees

Approval Authority:  Chief George N. Turner

Signature:  Signed by GNT

Date Signed:  7/8/11

1.             PURPOSE  PAGEREF _Toc303605067 \h 1

2.             POLICY  PAGEREF _Toc303605068 \h 1

3.             RESPONSIBILITIES  PAGEREF _Toc303605069 \h 1

4.             ACTION   PAGEREF _Toc303605070 \h 2

4.2           Method of Operation  PAGEREF _Toc303605071 \h 2

4.3           Crowd Control and Management PAGEREF _Toc303605072 \h 2

4.4           Tactical Coordination  PAGEREF _Toc303605073 \h 3

4.5           Warrant Service Program   PAGEREF _Toc303605074 \h 3

4.6           Coordination and De-confliction  PAGEREF _Toc303605075 \h 3

4.7           APEX Unit Training Requirements  PAGEREF _Toc303605076 \h 3

4.8           Community Liaison  PAGEREF _Toc303605077 \h 4

5.             DEFINITIONS  PAGEREF _Toc303605078 \h 4

6.             CANCELLATIONS  PAGEREF _Toc303605079 \h 4

7.             REFERENCES  PAGEREF _Toc303605080 \h 4

1.               PURPOSE

This written directive establishes the guidelines and operating procedures for the Atlanta Proactive Enforcement and Interdiction Unit (APEX), with the aim of reducing the occurrence of violent crime through proactive enforcement and by utilizing technology and modern police tactics.

2.               POLICY

The APEX Unit will provide proactive interdiction in areas of the City experiencing high number of incidents of violent gun related crimes and illegal street level narcotics crimes.  The function of the APEX Unit is to identify these crime patterns, deploy necessary resources, identify and arrest criminal perpetrators.

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1              The APEX Unit commander will report directly to the Special Enforcement Section (SES) Commander.

3.2              The APEX Unit Commander and supervisor(s) are responsible for developing tactical plans of actions and tactical operations plans as each crime trend requires. In addition, the APEX Unit Commander or his or her designee shall set clear operational goals and measurable performance objectives.

3.3              Supervisors shall ensure that officers assigned to the operation understand their operational responsibility.

3.4              The APEX Unit Commander and supervisor(s) are responsible for identifying real time crime patterns with the assistance of the crime analyst and statistical officer assigned to the APEX Unit.  All tactical plans of action and deployments shall be based on the intelligence provided by the unit’s crime analyst and/or statistical officer.

3.5              The Public Affairs Unit director or his or her designee shall publicize the success stories related to the APEX Unit.

3.6              All employees assigned to the APEX Unit are responsible for adhering to the guidelines set forth in this directive.

4.               ACTION

4.1              Supervisors and officers assigned to the APEX Unit shall be trained and assigned to one of the three components within the APEX Unit:

1.    Investigative function

2.    Operational/Tactical function

3.    K-9 function (reference APD.SOP.5141 “Narcotics & Tracking Canine (K-9)”

4.2              Method of Operation

4.2.1           Utilizing the full array of intelligence assets, the Apex Unit shall identify and target the “worst of the worst” criminals by conducting proactive street enforcement in identified hot spots.

4.2.2           The APEX Unit shall deploy the necessary resources during peak hours of targeted criminal activity and maintain a fluid and dynamic approach.

4.2.3           The APEX Unit shall compile and analyze crime statistics and trends in identified hot spots.

4.2.4           Once crime trends and operational areas have been identified, supervisor(s) shall develop specific plans of action that must address and include:

1.      Location of operation

2.      Crime being interdicted

3.      Technology and equipment to be utilized

4.      Number of unit members required

5.      Operational method

6.      Officers in charge of case management

7.      Hours of operation (determined by intelligence gathered)

8.      Tactical Coordination

4.3              Crowd Control and Management

4.3.1           The APEX Unit shall respond to crowd control and management situations as requested.

4.3.2           When the APEX Unit is deployed to respond to a crowd control/management situation, its primary function will be to:

1.    establish a perimeter,

2.    contain, stabilize and de-escalate the situation.  

4.3.3           The APEX Unit may provide a uniformed police presence at large events that may require crowd control or management measures.

4.3.4           To ensure maximum safety, the APEX Unit shall deploy as a unit to incidents of crowd control/management.

4.4              Tactical Coordination

4.4.1           Officers trained and assigned to the Tactical Operation Component of the APEX Unit will deploy to assist the SWAT unit when tactical operations require additional officers.

4.5              Warrant Service Program

4.5.1           The tactical component of the APEX Unit shall assist other units within the Department with the execution of search warrants.

4.5.2           Departmental units requiring assistance from the APEX Unit shall complete the APEX Request for Warrant Service/Tactical Assistance form (Form APD #386) and submit the form at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled execution of the search warrant.

4.5.3           The APEX Unit Commander shall review all APEX Request for Warrant Service/Tactical Assistance forms (Form APD 386) and intelligence to determine if the APEX Unit will execute the warrant.

4.6              Coordination and De-confliction

4.6.1           The APEX Unit supervisor(s) shall inform Zone and Watch commanders of affected zones of operations prior to commencing operation.  Operations will be de-conflicted with HIDTA as soon as the operational location is determined.

4.6.2           Anytime the APEX Unit is conducting and/or supporting undercover operations or any operations utilizing confidential funds and/or sources, the corresponding SOP shall be followed. (APD SOP 5110 “Undercover Operations”, APD SOP 5150 “Confidential Funds” and APD SOP 5160 “Confidential Sources”).

4.6.3           The APEX Unit crime analyst will disseminate a weekly activity report detailing a daily account of unit activity to the APEX Unit Commander and SES Commander. In addition, a comprehensive monthly report shall be forwarded to the SES commander.

4.7              APEX Unit Training Requirements

4.7.1           Sworn personnel assigned to the APEX shall receive a minimum of sixteen (16) hours of monthly training.

4.7.2           Training of specialized skills shall necessitate additional hours of individual training beyond the sixteen (16) hours of monthly training.

4.7.3           The APEX Unit Commander or his or her designee shall ensure that a minimum of two (2) APEX sworn personnel are trained as I.T. instructors.  Members of the APEX Unit shall conduct inter-unit training when deemed necessary.

4.7.4           All training scheduling and record keeping shall be maintained by the APEX Units Tactical Sergeant in the Unit filing room.

4.8              Community Liaison

4.8.1           APEX Unit supervisor(s) shall attend NPU meetings and other neighborhood meetings, at least, monthly.  In addition, the supervisor(s) shall document those meetings in a memorandum to the APEX Commander and SES Commander.  The memorandum shall be completed and forwarded to the APEX Commander and SES Commander prior to end of the business day following the attended meeting.

5.               DEFINITIONS

                  N/A

6.               CANCELLATIONS

                  APD.SOP.5140 RED DOG Squad effective February 9, 2010

7.               REFERENCES

                  APD.SOP.5110 Under Cover Operations

                  APD.SOP.5141 Narcotics & Tracking Canine (K-9)

                  APD.SOP.5150 Confidential Funds

                  APD.SOP.5160 Confidential Sources