Use of Force: ATF Policy, Training and Review Process Are Comparable to DEA's and FBI's
Released: 1996-04-24T00:00:00

Letter

Introduction

According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), managing officers’ use of force is one of the most difficult challenges facing law enforcement agencies. The ability of officers to enforce the law, protect the public, and guard their own safety is very difficult in an environment in which violent crime is commonplace and firearms are frequently used for illegal purposes. For the agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), suspected illegal firearms activities are the leading cause for their initiating enforcement actions.

Over the past several years, ATF has come under public criticism and congressional scrutiny primarily as a result of its operation at the Branch Davidians’ compound in Waco, TX, and citizen accusations that ATF agents used excessive force in carrying out their enforcement responsibilities. The February 1993 operation at the Branch Davidians’ compound was initiated to serve an arrest warrant on David Koresh, the Davidians’ leader, and to execute a search warrant on the compound. When Koresh refused to accept the warrants, ATF tried to forcibly enter the compound using a tactic known as dynamic entry but simultaneously was met with gunfire from the Branch Davidians. In the ensuing gun battle, four ATF agents and six Branch Davidians were killed.

Overview of ATF Enforcement Activities

ATF is a law enforcement agency within the Department of the Treasury with responsibilities directed toward reducing violent crime, collecting revenue, and protecting the public. ATF enforces the federal laws and regulations relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives, and arson. Among its missions, ATF is to work directly and in cooperation with others to (1) suppress and prevent crime and violence through enforcement, regulation, and community outreach and (2) support and assist federal, state, local, and international law enforcement.

To accomplish its criminal enforcement responsibilities, ATF has 24 field divisions, headed by special agents-in-charge (SAC), located throughout the United States. As of September 1995, ATF had a total of 1,944 special agents of which 1,777 were assigned to its field divisions. ATF’s special agents are to initiate criminal investigations when notified of suspected illegal activities by such sources as informants; undercover operatives; and referrals from ATF inspectors and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Figure 1.1 is an ATF organization chart, as of January 1996, that depicts the principal units discussed in this report.

As table 1.1 shows, the vast majority of ATF’s enforcement activities have been directed at suspects who are believed to be engaged in illegal firearms activities. Suspicion of illegal firearms activities is the principal reason that initiates ATF firearms investigations.

On the basis of its investigations, ATF apprehends individuals that it suspects of criminal violations. As can be seen from table 1.2, most of the individuals ATF arrested were suspected of violating firearms laws.

What Are Use of Force and Deadly Force?

According to IACP, use of force has been construed to include a wide range of techniques used to compel compliance. Such techniques range from verbal persuasion—the lowest force level—to deadly force—the most severe force level—and everything in between, including physical force, stun guns, tear gas, batons, and other nonlethal equipment. The variety of coercive options available to agents in a confrontational setting is often referred to as the “force continuum.”

According to Treasury policy on the use of force, the primary consideration in its use is the timely and effective application of the appropriate level of force required to establish and maintain lawful control. ATF training materials note that the use of force by law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties has been traditionally limited to four categories. Under these categories, use of force is allowed if necessary to • overcome resistance to the officer’s lawful commands, • effect an arrest or detain a suspect, • maintain custody and prevent escape, or • protect the officer or other persons.

Furthermore, the training materials note that in determining how much force may be or should be used, the officer should consider such factors as the • nature of the offense for which the suspect is being arrested, e.g., felony or • number of participants on each side; • size, age, and condition of participants; • record and/or reputation of the suspect for violence; • use of alcohol or drugs by the suspect; • suspect’s mental or psychiatric history; • presence of innocent bystanders; and • availability of less violent or nonlethal weapons.

In October 1995, Treasury and the Department of Justice adopted use of deadly force guidelines that are uniform with the exception of certain agency mission-specific provisions. For example, while warning shots generally are not permitted under the Treasury and Justice policies, the U.S. Secret Service may use warning shots in exercising its protective responsibilities, the U.S. Customs Service may use warning shots on the open waters, and Justice agencies may use warning shots under certain circumstances within the prison context.

In addressing the subject of nondeadly force, the Treasury and Justice uniform policies recognize that if force other than deadly force reasonably appears to be sufficient to accomplish an arrest or otherwise accomplish the law enforcement purpose, deadly force is not necessary. In commenting on the policy, both Departments committed to take all reasonable steps to prevent the need to use deadly force.

Both Departments define deadly force as the use of any force that is likely to cause death or serious physical injury. Therefore, any firearms discharge that is intended to disable a suspect is considered to be deadly force. However, the use of other weapons, including those considered nonlethal, could be construed as a law enforcement officer’s having used deadly force, depending on the manner in which the weapon was used. For example, hitting a suspect in the head with a baton is considered to be the use of deadly force.

Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

In August 1995, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government, House Committee on Appropriations, asked us to (1) identify and describe ATF’s policies for the use of deadly force; (2) determine how ATF conveys its policies to its agents; (3) determine the reasons for and the extent to which ATF uses dynamic entry and the equipment ATF uses to accomplish these entries; and (4) determine whether ATF has complied with its procedures for investigating shooting and alleged excessive use-of-force incidents. While we determined whether ATF complied with procedures for investigating shooting and alleged excessive use-of-force incidents on the basis of a review of case file documents, we did not evaluate the quality and adequacy of ATF’s investigations. In addition, except for a limited check discussed later, we did not verify whether all shooting and alleged excessive force incidents were reported or whether all reported allegations of excessive force were investigated.

The Chairman also asked us to compare how ATF addresses the above issues with the way that Justice’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) address them. In addition, we were asked to determine (1) whether ATF applies lessons learned from its reviews of shootings and allegations of excessive use of force and (2) what authority ATF has to take adverse personnel actions against agents, particularly in connection with excessive use-of-force incidents.

Objective 1

To identify and describe ATF’s policies on the use of deadly force and compare them to DEA’s and FBI’s, we reviewed pertinent Treasury, Justice, ATF, DEA, and FBI policies and accompanying commentaries on the use of deadly force that were available. Also, we reviewed certain relevant U.S. Supreme Court and lower court decisions involving the use of deadly force. We also interviewed appropriate ATF, DEA, and FBI officials concerning their policies on the use of deadly force.

Objective 2

To determine how ATF conveys its deadly force policies to its agents, we (1) visited the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) and ATF’s National Academy in Glynco, GA; (2) observed training facilities, equipment, and ongoing classes—including Basic Marksmanship, Judgment Pistol Shooting, Situational Response, Non-Lethal Control Techniques, and Tactical Operations Planning; and (3) spoke with officials about the overall training courses provided new agents, in general, and the use-of-force and firearms training provided, in particular. We also reviewed teaching guides and student training materials for FLETC’s Criminal Investigator Training Course and ATF’s New Agent Course. At the time of our visit to FLETC, ATF did not have any students enrolled in criminal investigator training for new agents, although there were new agent classes in progress. However, we observed a class of new ATF agents attending the National Academy.

We also met with FBI and DEA training officials to discuss their new agent training courses and use of deadly force training; toured the training academy at Quantico, VA, and observed the training facilities and equipment; participated in a demonstration of the Firearms Training System and reviewed summaries of course materials and instructor teaching guides for training that discussed use of force. We compared use-of-force course descriptions and the types of training provided new ATF agents to course materials and DEA and FBI training officials’ descriptions of the types of training provided new DEA and FBI agents.

We also reviewed (1) ATF’s manual for its new agent On-the-Job Training Course and identified training objectives dealing with use-of-force issues and (2) course training materials provided to Special Response Teams (SRT)—ATF’s version of special weapons and tactics units—on use of force and deadly force.

We identified and reviewed ATF’s policies requiring use-of-force discussions during quarterly firearms training and during tactical operational planning and operation briefings. On September 28, 1995, October 13, 1995, and December 11, 1995, respectively, we observed quarterly firearms training at three ATF field divisions—Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; and Los Angeles—to assure ourselves that the required use-of-force discussion took place. We also interviewed the divisions’ Firearms Instructor Coordinators concerning firearms training and use-of-force training and reviewed their records documenting use-of-force discussions at prior quarters’ training sessions. At the firearms qualification sessions, we also judgmentally selected and spoke with some attending ATF agents to determine whether use-of-force discussions were a regular part of tactical operation planning and operation briefings. Also, in these divisions, we interviewed Assistant Special Agents-in-Charge responsible for the SRT, SRT leaders, and group supervisors to determine whether use-of-force discussions were a part of tactical operation planning and operation briefings.

Finally, we compared FLETC and ATF training materials with relevant Treasury/ATF use-of-force and deadly force policies to determine if training materials complied with the policies.

While our review analyzed whether the agencies’ training reflected applicable use-of-force policies, we did not assess the effectiveness of the agencies’ training. In addition, we did not review new agent attendance records while at FLETC or the ATF National Academy, nor did we review agent personnel training records while we were at the field divisions.

Objective 3

To determine the reasons for and the extent to which ATF uses dynamic entry and the equipment used in such entries, we reviewed ATF policies, procedures, and documents regarding operational planning, dynamic entries, equipment, and SRT units. Due to time constraints, we did not review a sample of all ATF enforcement actions conducted by all ATF agents to determine how often dynamic entry was used. Because (1) SRTs are to be deployed to conduct ATF’s higher risk search and arrest warrants and SRTs have access to all of the equipment available to ATF agents as well as additional specialized equipment and (2) ATF maintains more thorough and readily available data on SRT operations, including tactics and equipment used, than it does on its other enforcement groups, we focused our review and analysis of ATF’s use of dynamic entry and related equipment to operations involving SRT deployments. However, whenever possible, we discussed the use of dynamic entries and related equipment by non-SRT agents with headquarters and division officials.

We analyzed all SRT deployment activation reports for fiscal year 1995 to identify the reason for the deployment, the extent to which the deployment used the dynamic entry tactic to enter a building, whether the deployment resulted in force being used (e.g., shootings or physical force), and whether the SRT used specialized equipment. We also obtained an ATF statistical compilation of fiscal years 1993 and 1994 SRT activation data, which showed the number of activations, the reason for deployments, deployments that resulted in force being used (e.g., shootings), and whether special equipment was used. Furthermore, we reviewed all shooting incident reports for fiscal years 1990 through 1995 and determined the number of SRT incidents in which ATF agents fired their weapons at suspects.

We also interviewed ATF officials in the Special Operations Division to determine ATF’s practices regarding the use of dynamic entries and other tactics as well as the type of equipment used for these operations. In addition, we discussed the use of dynamic entries with ATF division officials, SRT team leaders, Tactical Operations Officers, and agents at three ATF field divisions—Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; and Los Angeles.

We reviewed training materials and observed some of the training provided new agents at FLETC regarding dynamic entries and other tactics and related equipment. We also reviewed training materials used to train new SRT members during their initial 2-week training session at Fort McClellan, AL. We analyzed all SRT training reports for fiscal year 1995 to determine the type of in-service training received, equipment used during training, and sources that provided instruction. In addition, we observed the Washington Division SRT’s fourth quarter 1995 training to determine what tactical training was received.

We spoke with officials from ATF’s Property and Fleet Management Section and Enforcement Support Branch regarding ATF policies and controls on the equipment available for high-risk operations. We also observed the equipment maintained and issued by the Enforcement Support Branch in Rockville, MD, and the SRT equipment at the three field divisions we visited. In addition, at the Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles divisions, we obtained listings of the SRT equipment and vehicles as well as certain firearms, breaching tools, and other tactical equipment available for dynamic entries. Although we observed the SRT equipment maintained in Baltimore, we did not obtain an equipment listing because at the time of our visit the SRT had been recently merged into the Washington Division’s SRT. We discussed the use and sources of this equipment with the Tactical Operations Officers, the SRT team leaders, and several agents in each of the three division offices we visited. We also obtained and reviewed comprehensive listings of rifles and tactical carbines, SRT and armored vehicles, and aircraft in inventory throughout ATF from ATF’s Inventory Tracking and Equipment Management System.

In addition, we visited the FBI and DEA Washington field divisions to compare ATF’s use of dynamic entries and equipment to other federal law enforcement agencies. At each division, we interviewed division officials, including entry team leaders, to determine their use of dynamic entries and other tactics and observed the equipment used by the FBI Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and DEA entry teams during high-risk operations. On the basis of the standardization of training provided for high-risk warrant service, both FBI and DEA officials opined that their division’s use of dynamic entry and related equipment generally was representative of other field divisions in their respective agencies. We also reviewed the literature available from IACP and other law enforcement experts regarding the use of equipment, dynamic entries, and other tactics by law enforcement agencies.

Objective 4

To determine whether ATF complied with its procedures for investigating shooting and use-of-force incidents, we obtained and reviewed the following information: (1) procedures for reporting, investigating, and reviewing shooting and misconduct incidents; (2) policies on administering adverse personnel actions against agents found to have violated use-of-force policies; (3) policies on protecting complainants from retaliation; (4) policies on ensuring that lessons learned from investigations are transmitted to agents; and (5) investigative guidelines and/or standards recommended by IACP, the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE), and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. We obtained similar information, where applicable, from DEA and FBI. We also identified and reviewed legislation, regulations, and court cases related to the use of force by law enforcement agencies.

We identified and reviewed files related to the investigation of reported shooting and use of excessive force incidents during fiscal years 1990 through 1995. For shooting incidents, we identified and reviewed 38 of 39 incidents where ATF agents intentionally discharged their weapons at suspects. For use of excessive force incidents, we identified and reviewed 92 investigations in three categories of alleged agent misconduct: (1) misconduct during the execution of a search warrant, (2) violation of a person’s civil rights, and (3) assault by an agent on a person. Because ATF does not maintain a separate category for use of excessive force, we judgmentally selected these categories following consultations with ATF officials and a review of misconduct incident categories. The selection was based on the likelihood that these categories would include most, if not all, incidents of alleged use of excessive force. Of the 92 investigations, we found that 25 involved allegations of the physical abuse of persons and/or property.

To place the shooting and use of excessive force incidents in perspective, we obtained statistics related to ATF enforcement actions, such as arrests and SRT deployments. At the request of the Subcommittee, we also obtained shooting incident and enforcement action data from DEA and FBI. However, it should be emphasized that these data were not comparable to ATF’s, given the agencies’ differences in missions, personnel levels, and some data definitions. These data are presented in appendix V. As agreed with the Subcommittee, we did not verify the accuracy of ATF’s, DEA’s, or FBI’s statistical data because of time limitations.

To determine ATF’s compliance with its investigative procedures, we reviewed ATF’s investigative files for all 38 intentional shooting incidents that were reported to and investigated by ATF from fiscal years 1990 through 1995 as well as for the 25 alleged excessive force incidents we selected. We based our compliance determination on whether the information in the files indicated that the investigative procedures had been followed. We looked for the required information on (1) the incident, such as whether it resulted in injuries or the type of law enforcement activity that resulted in the incident, and (2) the investigation, such as who conducted the investigation, who reviewed it, the types of information the investigation obtained and analyzed, and the outcome of the investigation. Where documentation was not initially found, we obtained documents and/or explanations from ATF officials and considered them in our determination.

Due to time and methodological constraints, we did not evaluate the quality and adequacy of the shooting and use of excessive force investigations or the validity of their conclusions. We also did not evaluate the circumstances, such as law enforcement actions, that resulted in the shooting or use of excessive force incidents. In addition, we did not verify the accuracy of the information in ATF’s files. Finally, we did not verify whether all shooting and alleged excessive force incidents were reported or whether all reported allegations of excessive force were investigated. We did, however, do a limited check related to this matter by searching a computerized news database and contacting two organizations with possible knowledge of some incidents. The results of this limited check are discussed in chapter 5.

We discussed issues related to our review, including the use of excessive force, with officials from (1) ATF’s Office of Inspection, Office of Chief Counsel, and Office of Enforcement; (2) DEA’s Office of Inspections; (3) the FBI’s Office of Inspection; and (4) organizations that monitor law enforcement practices.

Additional Issues

To determine whether, and how, ATF applies lessons learned from its investigations, we (1) identified and reviewed the relevant sections in ATF’s investigative procedures; (2) obtained from ATF and reviewed examples of lessons learned being implemented; (3) reviewed ATF’s October 1995 report on the actions taken in response to the lessons learned from the Waco operation; and (4) discussed related issues with cognizant ATF officials, including the Associate Director for Enforcement.

To determine ATF’s authority for administering adverse actions against its personnel—including managers who perform poorly—we (1) obtained and reviewed the relevant ATF adverse action orders, (2) identified examples of personnel actions from our review of ATF’s investigative files, and (3) discussed adverse action issues with staff from ATF’s Employee Labor Relations Branch (ELRB) and the chairman of the unit charged with reviewing incidents that may result in adverse action being taken against ATF personnel. We also obtained relevant documentation from DEA and FBI and compared it with ATF’s to identify any similarities and differences.

Our review was made between August 1995 and January 1996 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. We provided drafts of this report to the Secretary of Treasury and the Attorney General for comment. Responsible Treasury and Justice officials provided oral comments at separate meetings on March 1, 1996.

Agency Comments

At the March 1, 1996, meetings, the Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of the Treasury for Enforcement and ATF officials provided Treasury’s comments, and the Director of the Audit Liaison Office under the Assistant Attorney General for Administration provided Justice’s comments. Also present at the Justice meeting were officials from the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the Criminal Division, DEA, and FBI. The Treasury and Justice officials either characterized the report as balanced, accurate, and thorough or had no comments. They provided some technical comments that we have incorporated in this report, where appropriate.

Treasury and Justice Use of Deadly Force Policies Have Been Adopted to Reflect Supreme Court Guidance and Are Generally Consistent

State rules and Supreme Court guidance on the use of deadly force have been evolving for a number of years. Approaches among the states on the use of deadly force have ranged from those that place an emphasis on the apprehension of a fleeing felon to those that permit such force regarding dangerous suspects but with certain qualifications. Within this context, federal law enforcement agencies have, over the years, adopted policies to govern their employees’ use of deadly force. In October 1995, Treasury and Justice adopted uniform policies on the use of deadly force. These uniform policies, like those they replaced, were adopted to reflect applicable Supreme Court guidance. Treasury’s and Justice’s commentaries, in general, explain that their policies were formulated to be more restrictive on the law enforcement officer than constitutional or other legal limits. ATF’s 1988 use of deadly force policy, which was in effect before the issuance of the 1995 Treasury policy, was, with two distinctions as discussed in this chapter, consistent with the new Treasury policy. In addition, the 1988 ATF policy, was, with three distinctions as discussed in this chapter, consistent with prior DEA and FBI policies.

State Rules and Supreme Court Guidance on the Use of Deadly Force

State Rules Have Varied

By 1985, the rules in the states governing the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers varied. These rules can generally be grouped into three categories: (1) the common-law rule, (2) a modified common-law approach, and (3) the Model Penal Code approach.

Many states followed something similar to the English common-law rule on the use of deadly force, which existed at the time of this country’s founding. Generally, deadly force could be used by a law enforcement officer if necessary to arrest a felony suspect. Because the type of felony involved is not taken into account, this rule is generally referred to as the “fleeing felon” rule. An officer could use deadly force when he reasonably believed that he was justified in arresting an individual for a felony as long as the officer also reasonably believed that such force was necessary to protect himself or prevent escape. To a great extent, the rationale behind the fleeing felon rule was based on the fact that common-law felonieswere punishable by death, and the use of deadly force was seen as merely accelerating the penal process, albeit without providing a trial. For example, the 1982 Tennessee statute, which was found unconstitutional in a landmark Supreme Court decision discussed later, was based on the fleeing felon rule. The decision provided, in part, that “f, after notice of the intention to arrest the defendant, he either flees or forcibly resists, the officer may use all the necessary means to effect the arrest.”

“’Forcible felony’ means treason, murder, voluntary manslaughter, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault, robbery, burglary, arson, kidnapping, aggravated battery and any other felony which involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against any individual.”

Legislatures in other states abandoned the common-law rule for some form of the Model Penal Code approach, which imposes several qualifications on the use of deadly force. The Model Penal Code, as formulated by the American Law Institute in 1962, generally permits the use of deadly force only when the crime for which the arrest is made involves conduct including use or threatened use of deadly force or when there is a substantial risk that the person to be arrested will cause death or serious bodily harm if his apprehension is delayed. More specifically, under the Model Penal Code approach, the use of deadly force is not justified unless (1) the arrest is for a felony, (2) the actor effecting the arrest is a peace officer or is assisting a peace officer, (3) the actor believes such force creates no substantial risk of injury to innocent persons, and (4) the actor believes that the felony included the use or threatened use of deadly force or there is a substantial risk that the suspect will cause death or serious bodily harm if apprehension is delayed.

The Supreme Court noted, in 1985, that while there was not a constant or overwhelming trend away from the common-law rule, a long-term movement has been away from the emphasis that deadly force may be used against any fleeing felon.

Two Supreme Court Cases Have Provided Some Guidance on the Use of Deadly Force

In the 1985 Tennessee v. Garner decision and the 1989 Graham v. Connor decision, the Supreme Court addressed the issue of when police may reasonably use deadly force and provided some clarification as to how courts should examine allegations that law enforcement officers have used excessive force.

In Garner, a police officer shot and killed Edward Garner to prevent his escape from the scene of a burglary, even though Garner did not appear to be armed. Garner, after being told to halt, tried to climb over a fence at night in the backyard of a house he was suspected of burglarizing. With the aid of a flashlight, the officer was able to see Garner’s face and hands. Even though the officer saw no sign of a weapon, he shot Garner in order to prevent his escape. The officer argued that his actions were reasonable under a Tennessee statue that provided that a law enforcement officer could use any means necessary to make an arrest.

“Where the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a threat of serious physical harm, either to the officer or to others, it is not constitutionally unreasonable to prevent escape by using deadly force. Thus, if the suspect threatens the officer with a weapon or there is probable cause to believe that he has committed a crime involving the infliction or threatened infliction of serious physical harm, deadly force may be used if necessary to prevent escape, and if, where feasible, some warning has been given.”

In the 1989 Graham decision, the Supreme Court provided some clarification as to how courts should examine allegations that law enforcement officers have used excessive force. In Graham, a diabetic felt the onset of an insulin reaction and drove with a friend to a convenience store to purchase orange juice. Upon entering the store and seeing the number of people ahead of him at the checkout line, Graham hurried out of the store to go to a friend’s house instead. A police officer became suspicious, followed Graham’s car, and made an investigative stop. Backup police officers arrived, handcuffed Graham, and ignored Graham’s attempts to explain and treat his diabetic condition. Graham sustained various physical injuries during the incident, was thrown headfirst into the police car, and the officers refused to let him have some orange juice as a remedy for his condition. Graham was later released when the officers learned that nothing had happened at the store.

Graham brought an action against the officers involved in the incident alleging that the officers had used excessive force in making the investigatory stop. The District Court applied a four-factor test and ruled in the officers’ favor. The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, without attempting to identify the specific constitutional provision under which Graham’s claim arose, endorsed the four-factor test applied by the District Court and affirmed the District Court decision.

“explicit what was implicit in the Garner analysis—that all claims alleging that law enforcement officers have used excessive force—deadly or not—in the course of an arrest, investigatory stop, or other seizure of a free citizen should be analyzed under the Fourth Amendment’s ’reasonableness’ standard . . . .”

The Court explained that determining whether the force used to effect a particular seizure is “reasonable” under the Fourth Amendment requires a careful balancing of “the nature and quality of the intrusion on the individual’s Fourth Amendment interests against the countervailing governmental interests at stake.” While recognizing that the test of reasonableness under the Fourth Amendment is not capable of precise definition or mechanical application, the Court explained that its proper application requires careful attention to the facts and circumstances of each particular case, such as the severity of the crime at issue, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of the officers or others, and whether the suspect is actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest by flight. Among other things, the Court noted that the reasonableness of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with the 20-20 vision of hindsight. The Court further noted that the calculus of reasonableness must allow for the fact that police officers are often forced to make split-second judgments—in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving—about the amount of force that may be necessary in a particular situation.

Treasury and Justice Have Adopted Uniform Policies on the Use of Deadly Force

In October 1995, Treasury and Justice adopted use of deadly force policies to standardize the various policies their component agencies had adopted over the years. The policies are uniform with the exception of certain agency mission-specific provisions covering, for example, Justice’s prisoner-related responsibilities. Justice’s Resolution 14, which created the Justice uniform policy, notes that in view of Supreme Court decisions addressing constitutional restrictions on the use of deadly force, Justice’s investigative agencies have, over the years, adopted policies to govern their employees’ use of deadly force, albeit in a manner that was not standardized. Both Justice and Treasury note in their commentaries that the policies are intended to maintain uniformity among their various respective departmental components and to achieve uniform standards and training with respect to the use of deadly force. While components may develop and conduct their own training on the use of deadly force, the commentaries state that the new uniform policies govern the use of deadly force under all circumstances.

The Justice and Treasury uniform policies provide that their respective officers may use deadly force only when necessary, that is, when the officer has a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or another person. The Treasury and Justice commentaries, in general, explain that their policies were formulated to be more restrictive on the law enforcement officer than constitutional or other legal limits. Following are Treasury’s and Justice’s 1995 policies: • Treasury: “Treasury Law Enforcement Officers may use deadly force only when necessary, that is, when the officer has a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or to another person.”• Justice: “Law enforcement officers and correctional officers of the Department of Justice may use deadly force only when necessary, that is, when the officer has a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or to another person.”

Accompanying Treasury and Justice commentary provide that “probable cause,” “reason to believe,” or a “reasonable belief,” for purposes of their policies, mean facts and circumstances, including reasonable inferences, known to the officer at the time of the use of deadly force, that would cause a reasonable officer to conclude that the point at issue is probably true. The commentaries also recognize that the reasonableness of a belief or decision must be viewed from the perspective of the officer on the scene, who may often be forced to make split-second decisions in circumstances that are tense, unpredictable, and rapidly evolving.

Justice and Treasury commentaries also state that as used in their respective policies, “imminent” has a broader meaning than “immediate” or “instantaneous.” The commentaries further state that the concept of “imminent” should be understood to be elastic, that is, involving a period of time dependent on the circumstances, rather than the fixed point of time implicit in the concept of “immediate” or “instantaneous.” Thus, a subject may pose an imminent danger even if he or she is not at that very moment pointing a weapon at the officer if, for example, he or she has a weapon within reach or is running for cover carrying a weapon or running to a place where the officer has reason to believe a weapon is available.

In addition, the policies provide that if force other than deadly force appears to be sufficient to accomplish an arrest or otherwise accomplish the law enforcement purpose, deadly force is not necessary. The commentaries further provide that if force less than deadly force could reasonably be expected to accomplish the same end, such as the arrest of a dangerous fleeing subject, without unreasonably increasing the danger to the officer or others, then it must be used.

ATF’s 1988 Policy on the Use of Deadly Force Was Generally Consistent With the 1995 Treasury Policy

“A firearm may be discharged when the special agent believes that there is no other means of control and perceives an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to himself/herself or other innocent persons.”

The 1988 ATF and 1995 Treasury policies are consistent in that both policies generally authorize the use of such force only when the law enforcement officer reasonably believes or perceives that there is an imminent threat or danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or another person. Moreover, both the 1988 ATF and 1995 Treasury policies limit the degree of force authorized to that which is needed to accomplish the law enforcement purpose. More specifically, the 1988 ATF policy provided that the degree of force authorized was limited to that which was necessary to establish lawful order and control in a timely manner, and the 1995 Treasury policy provides that if force other than deadly force appears to be sufficient to accomplish an arrest or otherwise accomplish the law enforcement purpose, deadly force is not necessary.

One distinction between the policies is that the 1995 Treasury policy refers to the use of “deadly force” while the 1988 ATF policy referred more specifically only to the use of a “firearm.” With respect to the 1988 ATF policy, an ATF official noted that until 1995, firearms were the only equipment issued to ATF agents that could inflict deadly force. A second distinction is that while the 1995 Treasury policy allows for the use of deadly force only when the law enforcement officer has a “reasonable belief” that there is an imminent threat of death or serious physical injury, the 1988 ATF policy allowed for the use of such force when the special agent “perceives” an imminent threat of death or serious physical injury. An ATF official noted that, under the 1988 policy, the special agent’s perception of an imminent threat would have been within the context of additional policy language which provided that “the authority to bear firearms carries with it an obligation to exercise discipline, restraint, and good judgement.”

ATF’s 1988 Policy on the Use of Deadly Force Was Generally Consistent With Prior DEA and FBI Policies

The 1988 ATF use of deadly force policy was, with three distinctions, consistent with DEA and FBI policies in effect prior to the issuance of the 1995 uniform policies. Following are DEA’s and FBI’s prior policies: • DEA: “Agents are not to shoot any person except in self-defense, when they reasonably believe they or another person are in danger of death or grievous bodily harm.”• FBI: “Agents are not to use deadly force against any person except as necessary in self-defense or the defense of another, when they have reason to believe they or another are in danger of death or grievous bodily harm.”

The prior ATF policy was consistent with prior DEA and FBI policies in that they generally authorized the use of deadly force only when the agents reasonably believed or perceived that there was a threat or danger of death or serious bodily harm to the agent or another person. One distinction among the three policies was that the ATF policy alone provided the additional qualifying restriction that such threat be “imminent.” In addition, the aforementioned “firearm/deadly force” and “reasonably believes/perceives” distinctions also existed among the prior policies. More specifically, (1) the ATF and DEA policies referred to the shooting of a “firearm” while the FBI policy used the term “deadly force” and (2) the ATF policy used the term “perceives” while the DEA and FBI used the terms “reasonably believe” and “reason to believe,” respectively.

The policies described in this chapter contain additional guidance regarding specific situations, such as fleeing persons, escaping prisoners, verbal warnings, warning shots, and shooting at or from vehicles. This additional information can be found in appendix I.

Conclusions

As Supreme Court guidance and state rules on the use of deadly force have evolved over the years, so have the policies of federal agencies. In addition, the ability of officers to enforce the law, protect the public, and guard their own safety is a very difficult task. Officers are often forced to make split-second judgments in circumstances that have been described as tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving. Recently, Treasury and Justice adopted uniform policies to standardize the policies of their component agencies. Since 1988, ATF has maintained a policy that was, with three distinctions as discussed in this chapter, consistent with prior FBI and DEA policies. ATF’s 1988 policy was also, with two distinctions as discussed in this chapter, consistent with Treasury’s current uniform policy.

ATF, DEA, and FBI Convey Deadly Force Policies to Their Agents in Similar Ways

Use of deadly force training provided new ATF agents at FLETC and the ATF National Academy reflected the ATF/Treasury deadly force policy. This policy is also to be reiterated to new agents during their probationary period when they receive on-the-job training (OJT). Furthermore, the types of deadly force training new ATF agents received at FLETC and the ATF National Academy were consistent with the types of training provided new FBI and DEA agents. Moreover, ATF policy requires that ATF agents be reminded of the deadly force policy at least quarterly throughout their careers.

Initial Training Is Designed to Establish the Foundation for New ATF Agents’ Understanding of Use-of-Force Policies

The first year with ATF, new agents are to receive about 17 weeks of formal training—about 8 weeks in general criminal investigator skills and techniques at FLETC and 9 weeks in ATF-specific training at the National Academy. In addition, agents also participate in ATF’s OJT for new agents.

Training at FLETC

FLETC requires that all students who attend the basic criminal investigator course be trained in Treasury’s/FLETC’s Use-of-Force Policy and Firearms Policy, including deadly force. Because Treasury’s use-of-force and deadly force policies are applicable to all of its bureaus, the use-of-force policies taught at FLETC are generally consistent with ATF’s policies. Once trained on the policies and tested on their knowledge of them, students are required to demonstrate their knowledge and apply the policies where applicable throughout their training.

All new ATF agents are required to attend the FLETC’s Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP). This program, which in fiscal year 1996 is to be expanded to approximately 9 weeks from slightly over 8 weeks in fiscal year 1995, provides basic training in a broad range of skills that criminal investigators require. Among the more than 70 course topics presented are interviewing, case management, surveillance, undercover operations, crime scene investigation, fingerprints, constitutional law, court testimony, and search and seizure. All Treasury bureaus’ and many non-Treasury agencies are to send their new agents to FLETC for basic criminal investigator training.

CITP training consists of three methods of presentation— classroom/lecture; laboratory, where students practice skills under an instructor’s guidance; and practical exercises, where students participate in a related law enforcement scenario and demonstrate law enforcement skills. Students are to receive over 175 hours of training in the classroom/lecture, 117 hours of laboratory work, and 39 hours of practical exercises. They are to be graded in both lecture material and practical exercises. During CITP, students are to be given 5 written examinations on which they must score at least 70 percent and satisfactorily complete all required tasks during the practical exercises.

Use-of-Force Training

According to FLETC officials, in about 1990, the FLETC Use-of-Force Oversight Committee developed a use-of-force continuum model, consistent with Treasury policies, which has been used to train all students. Furthermore, the Committee recommended and FLETC agreed to integrate use-of-force issues, where applicable, into all FLETC courses. As a result, FLETC provides a 2-hour course on Firearms Policy during the first week of training that presents, among other things, the basic concepts in the use of force, including deadly force, and introduces students to FLETC’s Use-of-Force Model (discussed below). Among the performance objectives of this course are that the student is to be able to (1) identify basic principles governing the use of force, (2) identify and apply the appropriate force, and (3) identify and apply the firearms policy and guidelines to hypothetical situations and practical exercises that are given throughout the training program.

The FLETC Use-of-Force Model

The FLETC Use-of-Force Model is composed of five color-coded levels of force designed to correspond to officers’ perceptions of the level of threat with which they are confronted and describes the progression or de-escalation of force on the basis of the demonstrated level of compliance or resistance from a subject. Students are shown a video illustrating a situation that poses various levels of threat and emphasizes how threats in real-life situations can escalate and de-escalate from one level to another. Table 3.1 shows the levels of threat and the corresponding force represented in the Use-of-Force Model.

In addition to its presentation in training courses, FLETC officials said that the Use-of-Force Model is prominently displayed in all classrooms and throughout FLETC hallways. We observed that the Use-of-Force Model was displayed in the FLETC classrooms we visited as well as in hallways, firing ranges, and the cafeteria (see fig. 3.1).

Our review of FLETC CITP course materials identified seven other courses (besides the Firearms Policy course) in which use-of-force topics were presented in varying amounts. These courses were (1) Detention and Arrest, (2) Execution of a Search Warrant, (3) Judgment Pistol Shooting, (4) Situational Response, (5) Introduction to Physical Techniques, (6) Non-lethal Control Techniques, and (7) The Removal and Positioning for Transportation of Reluctant Suspects. These courses contain components whose objectives are to train students in identifying threats and use-of-force concepts, applying the proper use of force to the threat, and honing judgmental skills in applying the various levels of force, including deadly force.

For example, in the Detention and Arrest course (10 hours), terms used in the use-of-force policy are to be defined, Supreme Court rulings on deadly force are to be discussed, and the FLETC Use-of-Force Model is to be presented. One of the objectives of the course is to train students to recognize the degree of force, which may include deadly force, that may be used to effect an arrest, according to Treasury/FLETC Firearms Policy.

In Judgment Pistol Shooting (3 hours), students are to use a weapon that has been altered to shoot a laser beam. They are confronted by realistic video scenarios on a giant screen that require them to use proper judgment in making shoot or not-to-shoot decisions. Students are required to identify the elements of jeopardy with which they are confronted and to provide a rational explanation in each instance of questionable judgment. Failure to properly respond to the video could result in the video perpetrator’s “killing” the agent or another person. To successfully pass the course, students must score 100 percent in judgment and 70 percent in shooting accuracy.

In Situational Response (2 hours), students are to be given a scripted scenario in which they are placed into a situation and have to react to the threat posed by an instructor/role-player. Both students and role-players are to wear protective clothing and have weapons that fire paint bullets (commonly referred to as simunitions), which mark the target they hit. Students have to react to shoot and not-to-shoot situations and demonstrate the application of the deadly force policy.

In Non-Lethal Control Techniques (30 hours), students are to be provided the basic skills required to control and arrest a compliant and a noncompliant suspect without using deadly force. As part of the training, students are required to assess the threat and resistance level of the suspect and respond with the correct level of force and control as required by the FLETC Use-of-Force Model.

Training at ATF’s National Academy

ATF students who successfully complete CITP are also required to attend New Agent Training at ATF’s National Academy, which is located on the FLETC campus. New Agent Training is 9 weeks and focuses on the laws, policies, procedures, and specialized investigative techniques that are specific to ATF and designed to orientate new agents to their roles as special agents. Our review of course materials identified three courses that address ATF’s use of deadly force policy: (1) Firearms Usage Policy, (2) Situational Response for ATF New Agent Training, and (3) Tactical Operations Planning. A portion of the Firearms Usage Policy course is to be devoted to reiterating ATF’s use-of-force and deadly force policies and the authority and limitations that agents bear in exercising the use of force.

In Situational Response for ATF New Agent Training (4 hours), students are to work in two- or more person teams with simunitions and participate in 7 realistic scenarios. These scenarios are designed from real-life experiences of ATF agents to challenge the students’ ability to make proper decisions regarding the use of force, tactics, the use of cover, and, if appropriate, marksmanship. In this course, emphasis is placed on resolving the exercises with the use of surprise, speed, and, if necessary, violence without the use of deadly force. Among the objectives of the course are to allow the students to (1) demonstrate the ability to make proper deadly force decisions, (2) utilize the principles of tactics to gain control of situations and to avoid shootouts, and (3) demonstrate the ability to articulate a rational explanation of shooting decisions.

In Tactical Operations Planning (2 hours), students are to compile the necessary intelligence to develop and execute tactical plans relating to search warrants, high-risk search warrants, arrests, and undercover operations. As part of the training in operational briefings, students are to be taught that the Treasury/ATF Firearms Policy is required to be presented before the execution of tactical plans.

ATF On-the-Job Training

During the first year with ATF, new agents are supposed to complete phase 1 of the training program. For phase 1, new agents, in addition to attending CITP and New Agent Training, are to continue their training at their post of duty under the guidance of an experienced agent who has been designated as an OJT instructor. The purpose of OJT is to acquaint the new agent with applicable policies and procedures and to expose the trainee to various investigative activities. During this period, the trainee is expected to display the appropriate skill, knowledge, and judgment that is needed during their involvement in situations related to the training objective, such as during an arrest situation. For example, during OJT on arrest procedures, students are expected to understand the limitations on the use of force and the restrictions and limitations on using firearms when making an arrest. The student is also to understand and demonstrate proper custody and control of subjects.

Training Provided New ATF Agents Is Consistent With the Types of Training DEA and FBI Provided to Their New Agents

The types of training provided to new ATF agents in fiscal year 1995 to introduce them to and train them in the use-of-force and deadly force policies was consistent with the types of training provided to DEA and FBI new agents.

Each agency provided new agent trainees with an initial 2-hour classroom lecture and discussion describing with examples the agency’s use-of-force/deadly force policy within the first week of the training. (App. II provides FLETC and FBI excerpts from nine training scenarios in which the use of force was used and the rationale for whether the force used was appropriate.) Thereafter, each agency employed a building-block approach that integrates the use-of-force/deadly force issues into other segments of the training in which the use of force could be a relevant issue, such as physical control techniques, arrests, and on search and seizure training. Each of the agencies employed training techniques, such as practical exercises using role-playing, simunitions exercises, and firearms judgment exercises that use realistic video scenarios requiring shoot or not-to-shoot decisions. Furthermore, each agency trained its new agents in recognizing the perceived level of threat they face and in responding to it with an appropriate level of force.

FBI training officials stated that DEA and FBI have similar use-of-force training programs for new agents. One official noted that although the exact language of their policies might be somewhat different (the Treasury and Justice policies applicable to DEA and FBI were revised in October 1995 and are now generally uniform for DEA and FBI), DEA and FBI interpret and apply their use-of-force policies almost identically in training programs. This official said that he instructs on legal issues for the use-of-force policy course for FBI’s new agents and has taught DEA’s new agents as well and that he had also provided training assistance at FLETC.

Agents Are to Be Kept Aware of Use-of-Force Policies at Tactical Operations Briefings and at Quarterly Firearms Qualifications

Even after the training of new agents is completed and agents are provided full special agent responsibilities, they are to be frequently exposed to the use-of-force and deadly force policies. ATF policy requires that these policies be reiterated during the planning process for tactical operations and quarterly during firearms requalification training.

Tactical Operations Plans and Briefings

For over a decade, ATF policy has required that for every search warrant obtained, a plan is to be developed to execute the warrant and that all persons participating in the warrant are to be briefed on the plan. Moreover, the policy requires that every person participating in the plan, especially those who are not Treasury enforcement officers, are to be advised of Treasury’s policy on the use of firearms.

A January 27, 1995, ATF policy brief stated that due to the increase in violence encountered by agents during the execution of search warrants, arrest warrants, and undercover operations, special agents planning to execute such operations are required to prepare an operational plan. The ATF guidance for operational plans stated that “the use of a well written operational plan, in concert with a thorough briefing, substantially enhances the safety of the special agents, public, and suspects.” ATF policy requires that all enforcement officers involved in the operation be provided a copy of the operational plan. Among the issues to be discussed at the operational plan briefing is ATF’s firearms policy on the use of deadly force. The plan, which is to be prepared on a standardized form, contains a block that is to be checked when the policy is discussed.

ATF agents with whom we spoke at the Washington, Los Angeles, and Baltimore divisions stated that the firearms policy on use of deadly force was reiterated before all operations.

Quarterly Firearms Training

ATF’s firearms policy requires all special agents to qualify in marksmanship with their primary duty firearm each quarter. Agents who fail to meet minimum qualification requirements are not to be certified to use that weapon until they requalify. Because the requirement applies to the primary duty weapon, each agent, even those in supervisory positions at headquarters, must attend and qualify each quarter. Furthermore, the ATF policy requires that as part of each firearms training session, no less than 1 hour of instruction is to be provided on ATF firearms/ammunition standards and procedures and the use-of-force policy. Each Firearms Instructor Coordinator is required to document the training provided and certify that the firearms policy instruction was provided.

We observed one quarterly firearms training session at each of the Washington, Los Angeles, and Baltimore divisions. At each session, the divisions’ Firearms Instructor Coordinator read the use-of-force and deadly force policies to the agents. At the fourth quarter of the Washington Division’s fiscal year 1995 qualification, the coordinator elaborated on various points in the policies, such as the prohibitions against firing at moving vehicles and firing warning shots. At the Los Angeles Division’s first quarter of fiscal year 1996 qualification, the coordinator reviewed the revised October 1995 Treasury use of deadly force policy and confirmed that all agents had received copies of the new policy. He also gave the agents a quiz that included questions on the policy, among other topics.

At the Washington, Los Angeles, and Baltimore divisions, we discussed with the Firearms Instructor Coordinators the training they provided and also reviewed their records, including quarterly firearms training documentation, to determine if the use-of-force policies were discussed at all quarterly firearms training in fiscal year 1995. Our review of ATF agent firearms qualification records for the Washington Division showed that at each quarterly session the division’s coordinator had certified on the records to reviewing ATF’s firearms policy.

In Los Angeles, the division’s former Firearms Instructor Coordinator said that he reviewed the policy at each quarterly qualification session during fiscal year 1995 and had every agent sign their qualification records to attest that they understood the policy. However, Los Angeles’ new coordinator for 1996, said that instead of having agents’ attest that they understood the policy, he would meet the policy requirement by certifying on the agents’ qualification record that the use-of-force policy had been reviewed.

At the Baltimore Division, the Firearms Instructor Coordinator had instituted, on his own initiative, a new computerized firearms qualification record form for each division agent. The computerized document did not show whether the firearms policy had been discussed. When asked about whether the policy had been discussed at each session, the coordinator said that he had discussed it and that, henceforth, he intended to certify to doing so in his written records. Furthermore, documentation at each of these offices showed that the firearms policy had been discussed at qualification sessions going back to at least the early 1990s.

DEA and FBI officials confirmed that deadly force policies are to be reiterated at their quarterly firearms qualifications.

Disseminating the Revised Treasury Use-of-Force Policy

In October 1995, shortly after Treasury revised its use-of-force policy to make it uniform among its components and with the Justice policy, ATF sent the revised policy to all of its field divisions. In his cover letter transmitting the revised policy, ATF’s Associate Director for Enforcement pointed out that the policy sets forth uniform standards for the use of deadly force and provides broad guidelines for all Treasury enforcement agencies. Moreover, he emphasized that the uniform policy was effective immediately and that it was the responsibility of each supervisor to ensure that all special agents under their supervision receive a copy of the policy. The letter also stipulated that the policy should be addressed at the next quarterly firearms qualification.

Agents we spoke with in the Washington, Los Angeles, and Baltimore divisions all confirmed that supervising agents discussed the revised Treasury use-of-force policy with agents under their supervision. And, as noted above, we observed the Los Angeles Division’s quarterly firearms qualification in which the Firearms Instructor Coordinator discussed the new policy.

Conclusions

ATF conveys its deadly force policies to new agents through training. Use-of-force and deadly force training provided new ATF agents reflected Treasury/ATF policies. The types of training new ATF agents receive were consistent with the training provided DEA and FBI new agents. Furthermore, ATF policy requires that the use-of-force and deadly force policies be reiterated to agents throughout their careers during quarterly firearms qualifications and tactical operations briefings. According to DEA and FBI officials, their use-of-force policies are also to be reiterated during firearms qualification.

ATF, DEA, and FBI Often Use Dynamic Entries and Comparable Equipment to Execute High-Risk Warrants

Dynamic entry has been a principal tactical procedure ATF has used to gain entry to premises when executing search and arrest warrants in high-risk operations. ATF believes dynamic entry is a useful tactic that can reduce the potential for injury to both agents and suspects in particular situations. However, on the basis of Treasury’s report on the Waco operation and views of tactical operations experts and ATF’s own personnel, ATF decided in October 1995 that dynamic entry would only be planned after all other options have been considered and began to adjust its training accordingly. Similarly, according to DEA and FBI Washington Division officials, their agencies use dynamic entry when necessary to execute high-risk warrants and believe the tactic promotes safety.

ATF, DEA, and FBI use generally comparable weaponry and equipment to effect dynamic entries. The exceptions are noted in this chapter. In addition, all three agencies have aircraft that can be used for intelligence and surveillance operations, such as obtaining aerial photography, and their specialized teams generally have similar vehicles, such as sports utility vehicles, from which they can deploy and in which they store equipment. The clothing and additional gear worn by agents of all three agencies when executing warrants are designed to promote agent safety.

Dynamic Entry Is a Principal Tactic Used by ATF During High-Risk Search and Arrest Warrant Operations

Dynamic entry is one of several tactical procedures used by ATF to gain entry to premises to execute search and arrest warrants. Dynamic entry, which may involve a forced entry, relies on speed and surprise and often is used during high-risk operations, such as ones where suspects pose a threat of violence, or where evidence can be easily destroyed. Both ATF’s case agents and SRTs are to be trained in the dynamic entry technique. However, ATF did not compile any statistics regarding the number of times various tactics, such as a dynamic entry, were used during enforcement operations, according to ATF officials. Due to time constraints, we did not review a sample of all ATF enforcement operations to determine how often various tactics were used. However, we discussed the use of dynamic entries with ATF headquarters and division officials who all agreed that dynamic entry was the principal tactic used by ATF agents during high-risk search and arrest warrant operations.

Furthermore, as agreed with the Subcommittee, since SRTs are to be deployed to conduct ATF’s higher risk search and arrest warrants and have access to all of the equipment available to ATF agents as well as additional specialized equipment, we primarily focused our review of ATF’s use of dynamic entry and related equipment on operations involving SRT deployments. Our review of SRT deployments for fiscal year 1995 found that the dynamic entry technique was used almost half of the time and was the predominant technique used when an entry to a premise was required. Moreover, during the period we reviewed, when the dynamic entry technique was used, no SRT member fired a weapon at a suspect.

Executing High-Risk Search and Arrest Warrants Was the Primary Purpose of SRT Deployments

ATF has established an SRT in each of its 24 criminal enforcement field divisions to conduct high-risk operations. These situations include high-risk arrest, search, and undercover operations. SRT membership is voluntary and a part-time duty and ranges from 11 to 20 ATF agents depending on the location of the team.

ATF defines high-risk situations, in which activation of the SRT should be considered, as those in which an increased propensity for violence exists based on the nature of the subject, the monetary value of the transaction, or the underlying circumstances of the situation. Some of the factors to be used to determine whether the SRT should be deployed include the suspect’s criminal history and propensity for armed violence, the weapons expected at the location, and the fortification of the buildings involved. SRTs are to be deployed at the discretion of the SAC of the division to ensure the safety of ATF agents, other law enforcement officers, and the public during high-risk operations. As seen in table 4.1, SRTs were most often deployed to execute search and/or arrest warrants.

Dynamic Entries and Other Tactics Used to Promote Safety

According to ATF, DEA, and FBI officials as well as training literature prepared by IACP and local law enforcement agencies, dynamic entry is a principal tactic available to law enforcement agencies for use during high-risk enforcement operations. According to these officials, the primary purpose for using dynamic entry is to ensure the safety of law enforcement personnel as well as suspects and other individuals during a high-risk operation. In addition, dynamic entries may be a preferred tactic when the possibility exists that evidence may be destroyed.

Furthermore, these officials as well as other law enforcement officials agree that two characteristics of dynamic entry are speed and surprise. Various law enforcement articles as well as ATF, DEA, and FBI officials assert that law enforcement studies show reaction time to be slower than action time—it takes longer for individuals to respond to a threat than to make a threat. Thus, through the use of dynamic entries in certain high-risk situations, law enforcement agents hope to act so quickly that the suspects do not have time to respond or, at a minimum, give agents the advantage by forcing suspects to react to agent actions rather than the reverse. While dynamic entries may require a forcible entry, such as breaking down a door, dynamic entries can also be accomplished through open or unlocked doors.

Dynamic entry is only one of several tactical techniques ATF agents can use to execute search and arrest warrants or conduct other enforcement operations. Additional techniques include • “stealth” or “static” entries, which involve slow, methodical entry and movement in a premise during which each area or room is cleared of danger before proceeding (e.g., when a suspect opens the door in response to the knock and announcement, agents may arrest or detain the suspect and then slowly clear the remainder of the premise of danger before proceeding with a search); • containment call-outs, which are situations where agents surround a location and, from covered positions, contact the suspect and order the person to exit the premise; • ruses, such as when agents create a ploy to draw the person out of their premise before making an entry or arresting them; and • arresting or detaining the suspect away from the location (e.g., vehicle stops) before making an entry or, in the case of an arrest, to avoid having to make an entry.

Whether an entry is required after using certain tactics, such as containment call-outs or ruses, would depend on the purpose of the operation. If a search warrant needs to be executed, even after arresting or detaining the suspect outside of the premise, an entry may still need to be made. According to ATF agents and our review of SRT deployment reports for fiscal year 1995, agents often conducted a stealth or static entry, rather than a dynamic entry, after detaining or arresting the primary suspect. According to ATF, DEA, and FBI officials, flexibility in tactical operations is important. Thus, agents may use a combination of these tactics or change tactics during an operation, as necessary. For example, ATF training materials and officials stressed that even after a decision is made to use a dynamic entry, a situation can emerge in the middle of an operation that dictates a change in tactics. Accordingly, during one SRT deployment in fiscal year 1995, agents planned to conduct a dynamic entry to execute arrest and search warrants. However, after the SRT’s arrival at the primary suspect’s home, the suspect was located in the backyard and detained before the SRT entered the premise. The agents then used a stealth entry to execute the search warrant. (App. III provides detailed examples of actual SRT operations in which these various tactics were used.)

According to ATF, DEA, and FBI officials, the decision regarding whether to use dynamic entry or another technique is dictated by the unique circumstances presented in each operation, with safety as the primary objective. ATF, DEA, and FBI officials agreed that factors, such as the suspect’s criminal history and violent tendencies, the location of the premise, and the amount of fortification expected, are to be considered when determining whether dynamic entry or another tactic should be used.

In 1994, ATF developed and began requiring an Operational Risk Assessment form to be completed by agents when planning an operation.This document is designed to identify critical elements that can affect high-risk tactical operations. The assessment is divided into four categories, including the type of enforcement activity, the suspect’s criminal history, the weapons possessed by the suspect, and the suspect’s location. According to ATF agents, factors, such as the suspect’s violent tendencies, the location of the premise, and the amount of fortification expected, also are considered. The factors developed in the assessment are assigned point values and are totaled to determine the amount of risk believed to be present in the operation. Depending on the amount of risk present, a decision is made whether to use the SRT to accomplish the operation. Above a certain point total, deployment of the SRT is highly recommended. Below that point total, deployment is to be considered but is optional.

The information gathered for the risk assessment represents critical intelligence information needed by ATF agents to develop an operational plan (discussed below). According to one SRT leader, one specific factor, if present, would not dictate the use of a particular tactic. Instead, he said agents consider the totality of the factors in a situation when developing the operational plan. For example, because a person is expected to be armed and has a history of violence, does not result in the SRT employing the same tactic in each case. Other factors also present are considered in conjunction with what is known about the suspect—possibly leading agents to chose different tactics in each case. Thus, according to the SRT leader, agents must consider all factors and determine the most appropriate tactic for each operation. For example, agents have to consider whether a prolonged containment call-out could result in needed evidence being destroyed; whether the surrounding neighborhood would have to be evacuated; or, if the location is in certain high-crime neighborhoods, whether a call-out would create a more dangerous situation (e.g., sniping or a riot).

In January 1995, ATF began requiring agents to complete a standard written planning document for enforcement operations called an operational plan. According to ATF documents, ATF instituted this change due to the increase in violence ATF agents encountered during the execution of search and arrest warrants and undercover operations. An operational plan is required before executing any search or arrest warrants or conducting certain undercover operations. The plan is to specify the tactics and personnel to be used during the operation. According to ATF policy, the agent(s) responsible for the planning portion of the operation prepares the plan, and the group supervisor or Resident Agent-in-Charge (RAC) reviews and approves it. According to division officials, in operations involving the SRT, the SRT team leader and/or other SRT members are to develop the plan, which is then to be reviewed and approved by the assistant SAC responsible for supervising the SRT. Copies of the approved plans are to be sent to the SAC of the division.

Since the decision to use a dynamic entry or other technique requires consideration of the unique factors present in each situation, ATF has not had any specific policies regarding the use of dynamic entry. However, as a result of Treasury’s review of the Waco operation and the views of tactical operations experts and ATF’s own personnel, ATF decided in October 1995 to implement lessons learned from Waco. One change ATF decided to make was that dynamic entry would only be planned after all other options had been considered. Given the choice, it was decided that the first tactical option to be considered during operational planning would be a ruse—luring the suspect out. It was believed that luring the suspect out would reduce the risks to the public and agents and ensure a safe, peaceful resolution to the situation.

Regardless of whether dynamic entry or another technique is used, ATF agents are required to follow Treasury’s use-of-force policy as discussed in chapter 2. Also, ATF agents generally are required by law to knock and announce their identity and purpose before executing search and arrest warrants. Courts, nevertheless, have permitted unannounced entries in certain exigent circumstances. Several agents stated that knocking and announcing also helps to protect their safety—through identifying themselves and their purpose they sometimes can prevent a situation in which the suspect might react without knowing that they are law enforcement officers.

ATF Agents and SRTs Are to Be Trained in Dynamic Entry and Other Tactics

ATF training is to emphasize that no one tactic is an absolute and that a number of factors, beyond the agents’ control, will influence whether a dynamic entry or other technique is best. During New Agent Training, ATF agents are to be taught to differentiate between situations that require a dynamic or stealth/static entry. Agents are to be taught to consider various factors—such as the characteristics of the suspect, location, and weapons expected—when determining the best tactics to employ during an operation. Agents are to participate in simulation exercises during which they are required to determine and use the appropriate tactics to gain control of situations. ATF course materials emphasize resolving these exercises by using tactics involving speed, surprise, and, if necessary, violence without employing deadly force. During our visit to the ATF National Academy, we were able to confirm through observation that a class of new agents were trained on dynamic entries through practical exercises.

Agents assigned to SRTs are to receive additional training in tactics, including dynamic entries, during their 2 weeks of SRT basic training at Fort McClellan. Among the more than 20 course topics to be presented are tactical shooting, hostage situations, vehicle assaults, felony vehicle stops, and tactics. Over half of the instruction time allotted during this training is to cover tactics that include team entry and movement techniques during high-risk operations. However, according to an October 1995 ATF report, the basic SRT course curriculum has been revised to include instruction on some of the techniques needed to conduct containment call-out operations. This change was initiated by ATF, on the basis of lessons learned from Waco, to address situations in which there was no evidence in the suspect’s premise that could be easily destroyed. The new basic SRT training also is to emphasize that dynamic entries are to be planned only after all other tactical options have been considered.

SRTs also are to continue to train on these skills at regularly scheduled in-service sessions. SRTs are required to receive a minimum of 8 hours training each month, or 24 hours each quarter, in addition to the quarterly firearms training to be received by all ATF agents. This continuing training must be provided by qualified sources, which includes other law enforcement agencies.

We reviewed SRT quarterly in-service training records for fiscal year 1995 and determined that all 24 SRTs conducted training on entry techniques, such as dynamic and/or stealth/static entries, including practical exercises frequently using simunitions or live fire rounds. However, we did not confirm whether all SRT members attended all training sessions. Our review also showed that most of the training was conducted by ATF instructors. The most common non-ATF source of training was state and local law enforcement agencies. For example, we observed the Washington Division’s SRT training for the fourth quarter of 1995. Two days of this training was conducted by representatives of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Enforcement Branch—the SWAT team—and primarily consisted of instruction and practical exercises on stealth entry techniques. In 10 instances, Department of Defense or National Guard units provided some training to SRTs but generally not regarding entry tactics. ATF forward observers received most of the training provided by Department of Defense or National Guard units, covering subjects such as winter survival and surveillance techniques. Furthermore, our review showed that some SRTs’ quarterly training exceeded the minimum hourly requirements, such as training conducted by the Los Angeles and Washington divisions’ SRTs.

ATF Most Often Used Dynamic Entry Tactic in High-Risk Search and Arrest Warrant Services

According to ATF division and headquarters officials, dynamic entry has been the primary technique used by both SRTs and non-SRT agents to gain entry to premises when executing high-risk search and arrest warrants. We reviewed reports of each of the total 157 SRT deployments during fiscal year 1995. During these deployments, about 185 suspects were arrested. As seen in figure 4.1, SRTs used the dynamic entry technique almost half the time during these deployments, and it was the predominant tactic used when an entry to a premise was made. However, none of the 77 deployments in 1995 in which SRTs used dynamic entries resulted in ATF agents’ firing their weapons at suspects, according to the deployment reports. During only one SRT deployment, involving a “buy/bust” undercover operation in an open area where no entry was required, did ATF agents fire their weapons at suspects. During this incident, three suspects were wounded.

Dynamic (77)

Stealth/Static (29)

Furthermore, from fiscal years 1993 through 1995, ATF conducted 35,949 investigations, arrested 22,894 suspects, and deployed SRTs 523 times. During this same period, as seen in table 4.2, SRT members were involved in 3 intentional shooting incidents, one of which resulted in fatalities.

According to several ATF agents, one reason they used dynamic entries so frequently was the type of suspects they generally encountered. According to these agents, with most of their enforcement investigations involving firearms, ATF suspects frequently had previous convictions, were known to have committed or are suspected of past violent acts, and were believed to be armed. According to ATF reports of its firearms enforcement investigations from fiscal years 1990 to 1995, 46 percent of the suspects ATF arrested had previous felony convictions, 24 percent had a history of violence, and 18 percent were armed at the time of their arrests.

According to one SRT leader, ATF encounters basically three types of suspects, those (1) who do not attempt, or even consider, doing anything other than following agents’ instructions; (2) who will attempt to flee or provoke an incident if they are given an opportunity or perceive any weaknesses on the part of the agents; and (3) who are willing to do whatever it takes not to be taken into custody. Thus, according to the SRT leader, ATF agents try to prevent incidents from occurring through following proper procedures and eliminating opportunities for suspects to provoke incidents. However, he also said that agents must always plan and be prepared for the worst, so training is very important.

FBI and DEA Also Use Dynamic Entries for High-Risk Search and Arrest Warrants

FBI and DEA officials said they also use dynamic entry as the primary tactic when entry to premises is required to execute high-risk search and arrest warrants. According to FBI and DEA officials, ensuring agent, suspect, and the public’s safety is the predominant reason they would choose to use dynamic entry versus another tactic. FBI and DEA officials agreed with ATF that the decision to use a dynamic entry or another technique is dictated by the unique circumstances presented in each operation and that factors such as the suspect’s criminal history and violent tendencies, the location of the premise, and the amount of fortification expected are considered.

FBI has SWAT units in each of its field divisions that, like SRTs, generally are deployed for high-risk operations primarily involving search and arrest warrants. According to the FBI Washington Division’s SWAT team leader, dynamic entry is the predominant technique used by the SWAT team as well as non-SWAT agents to gain entry to a premise during a high-risk search and arrest warrant operation. According to the SWAT team leader, although FBI special agents and/or the SWAT team will move rapidly to enter and secure the immediate entry area, they generally will de-escalate the speed and move more slowly through the rest of a premise. According to division officials, the Washington Division’s use of dynamic entry generally is representative of other FBI field divisions.

DEA has established a High Risk Entry and Arrest Team (HEAT) in its Washington, D.C., Division that, like SRTs, is deployed for high-risk operations primarily involving search and arrest warrants. According to Washington Division officials, the principal difference between HEAT and other DEA agents who conduct operations is that HEAT agents train more frequently as a unit and, thus, are better coordinated tactically. According to the DEA Washington Division’s HEAT leader, dynamic entries represent the predominant tactic used by both DEA agents and the HEAT team to gain entry to a premise during high-risk search and arrest warrants.

DEA and FBI agents as well as their respective SWAT and HEAT teams are to receive training on the use of dynamic entries and other tactics during initial training. Also, according to Washington Division officials, SWAT and HEAT teams, like SRTs, train as a unit on a monthly basis in areas such as tactics and firearms.

Equipment ATF Used in Dynamic Entries Is Generally Comparable to DEA’s and FBI’s

The equipment ATF agents used during dynamic entries generally included weaponry; breaching equipment, such as battering rams; and/or other tactical equipment designed for safety, such as body bunkers, ballistic vests, and helmets. In addition to the equipment available to all agents, SRTs have access to additional firearms, such as bolt-action and automatic rifles, and specialized tactical equipment, such as diversionary devices. SRT vehicles generally include vans and trucks from which SRT teams can deploy and in which they store equipment. The equipment, vehicles, aircraft, and clothing used by ATF generally are comparable to that used by FBI and DEA during similar operations except where noted.

ATF Used Weapons, Breaching Equipment, And/Or Other Tactical Equipment During Dynamic Entries

ATF weaponry available for use during dynamic entries includes any of the agency’s authorized firearms and less-than-lethal weapons, which include oleoresin capsicum (OC or pepper) spray and expandable tactical batons. According to ATF policy, agents are to be assigned a 9mm semi-automaticpistol as their primary duty weapon, and, if requested, a revolver as a backup weapon. Divisional offices or agents also are to be issued shotguns, semi-automatic rifles (e.g., Colt AR15s), and tactical carbines(e.g., Heckler and Koch MP5s), which agents may use during various enforcement operations, including search and arrest warrants. Some MP5s are equipped with a selector switch that, when activated, permits the weapon to fire two rounds with a single depression of the trigger and qualifies them as automatic weapons. According to ATF officials, only SRT agents are allowed to use automatic MP5s. Also, forward observers on SRTs are to be issued bolt-action rifles and AR15s, which can be used to provide additional cover for agents during warrant services.

During our review of division training, we observed ATF agents qualifying with the 9mm pistols, revolvers, shotguns, AR15s, and MP5s at quarterly qualification sessions. Also, we observed the Washington and the Baltimore divisions’ in-service SRT training sessions in which they used the 9mm pistols, shotguns, and MP5s. The only weapon we did not observe during these training sessions was the bolt-action rifle issued to forward observers because the forward observers did not qualify with this weapon on the days that we attended. However, the Washington Division forward observer stated that he has taken the bolt-action rifle on SRT activations to provide cover for agents during operations.

We obtained and reviewed listings of the firearms issued to agents and/or the division for use during dynamic entries from the Washington and Los Angeles divisions and determined that they included 9mm pistols, shotguns, AR15s, and MP5s as indicated by ATF policy. Furthermore, we reviewed listings from ATF’s Inventory Tracking and Equipment Management System of the rifles and tactical carbines issued to agents and/or divisions throughout ATF and determined that the types of weapons included AR15s, MP5s, and bolt-action rifles as indicated by ATF policy. In addition, these inventories showed that some divisions were credited with having obtained or seized certain automatic weapons, such as M16s, for agent use. When asked about these automatic weapons in the inventory listings, the Chief of ATF’s Special Operations Division said that ATF had acquired some M16s from the Department of Defense and converted them to semi-automatic rifles (e.g., AR15s) for use by agents. In addition, we spoke with the Chief of the Firearms and Technology Branch who confirmed that the M16s ATF had acquired for use by agents had been converted to semi-automatic rifles. Both these officials noted that some of the other automatic weapons in the inventory lists were incorrectly coded as available for agent use when in actuality they were used only as display or prop weapons—usually seized weapons that are then used as show weapons during undercover operations. We contacted Baltimore and Washington division officials who also confirmed that the automatic weapons shown on the inventory listing for their divisions had either been converted to semi-automatic rifles or were being used only as prop weapons. Each of these officials stressed that the only automatic weapon used by ATF is the two-shot burst MP5, which is limited to use only by trained SRT members.

ATF agents also can use various breaching equipment during dynamic entries to gain entry through doors and windows during search and arrest warrant operations when there is no response to the ATF agents’ knock and announcement, particularly at locations where the entrances have been reinforced or fortified to deter entry. ATF breaching equipment includes items such as one- and two-person battering rams, hydraulic door spreaders, pry bars, and other firemen’s entry tools. Shotgun and explosive breaching has not been authorized by ATF. Agents also can use body bunkers, which are ballistic shields with clear viewports, during dynamic entries. These bunkers are capable of withstanding direct shots fired from various firearms and provide additional protection to agents as they enter and search premises. During our visit to the ATF National Academy, we observed agents making dynamic entries into buildings using body bunkers. Moreover, during our division reviews, agents demonstrated and/or provided examples of how this equipment has been used during dynamic entries.

SRTs have access to the weapons and equipment available to all ATF agents as well as some specialized equipment, including flash/sound diversionary devices (commonly called flash/bangs), rappelling equipment, and night vision goggles. On the basis of our review of reports of all SRT deployments and in-service training sessions in fiscal year 1995 as well as course materials from the initial training received by SRT members at Fort McClellan, we determined that flash/sound diversionary devices represented the specialized equipment SRTs most frequently trained with and used during deployments. According to agents, flash/sound diversionary devices are used to disorient and confuse individuals to more safely obtain their compliance and detainment during enforcement operations. Factors such as the presence of children or elderly individuals are to be considered before the use of these devices, according to agents and SRT training materials. According to agents and several SRT deployment reports, these devices greatly assisted SRTs in subduing suspects, controlling situations, and avoiding shooting incidents.

Although SRT members conducted training on rapelling from buildings and aircraft at their initial training and/or fiscal year 1995 in-service training sessions, this tactic was not used during any deployments in 1995, according to the ATF records we reviewed. In addition, our review of fiscal year 1995 SRT deployment reports and several operational plans showed that SRTs used the weapons discussed earlier as well as body bunkers and various breaching tools during dynamic entries.

Depending on the unique circumstances present during an operation, SRT agents may be authorized to use any or all of the equipment during a dynamic entry. The following scenario represents an example of how this equipment has been used by both ATF SRTs and non-SRT agents during dynamic entries. An ATF agent knocks and announces ATF’s identity and purpose. If there is no response after a reasonable period and the door is locked or fortified, one or two agents breach the door using a ram or other tool to gain entry to the premise. Teams carrying body bunkers then quickly enter and search the premise to locate suspects and clear the premise of any danger. A bunker team generally consists of two or three agents—one agent carrying the bunker and holding a 9mm pistol on one side, another agent following closely and holding a 9mm pistol on the opposite side of the bunker, and the last agent following closely and carrying a MP5. Additional agents follow the bunker team and handcuff or detain suspects as they are located, and agents located outside the premise provide rear and front security.

SRTs Use Vehicles and Aircraft for Deployment and Surveillance

The Enforcement Support Branch of ATF’s Special Operations Division provides vehicles to ATF divisions for use in enforcement operations. According to ATF officials, they have not provided any armored vehicles to ATF field divisions. The vehicles provided generally include sedans, vans, and trucks. SRTs may have designated vehicles from which they can deploy during high-risk operations and in which they maintain their equipment. On the basis of vehicle listings from ATF’s Inventory Tracking and Equipment Management System and our review of all SRT deployments in 1995, vehicles such as large delivery trucks, excess military ambulances, vans, and utility trucks have been obtained or donated to ATF for use by SRTs. Furthermore, our review of the 1995 SRT deployment reports showed that SRTs had used these trucks and vans during actual operations. The only armored vehicles used by the SRTs identified through our review of the inventory listings and 1995 SRT deployment reports included: (1) a truck donated to the Los Angeles SRT by a private company that is engaged in the security and transfer of money and negotiable instruments and (2) a Dallas Police Department vehicle borrowed by the Dallas SRT on two occasions for search warrant operations in fiscal year 1995.

We observed the Washington, Baltimore, and Los Angeles divisions’ SRT vehicles, which are used to store equipment and from which the SRTs had deployed during operations. The Washington Division’s SRT vehicles included a van and large delivery truck, similar to those used by bread or package delivery companies, in which they had installed benches along each side and storage units for equipment. A similar large delivery truck was donated to the Baltimore Division’s SRT and used for its operations. In addition to the armored truck, the Los Angeles Division’s SRT vehicles included two large sports utility vehicles. All of the Los Angeles Division’s SRT vehicles we observed had public address and siren systems installed. The Los Angeles Division’s SRT also reported having a large delivery truck and van, which we were unable to observe, due to time constraints and their remote location.

ATF obtained five excess military armored “peacekeeper” vehicles from the U.S. Air Force in 1993 to test for possible tactical use, such as to protect agents from additional danger while they extract a wounded agent from a hostile situation. One of these vehicles was sent to the SRT training facility at Fort McClellan, and the rest remained at the Enforcement Support Branch in Rockville. According to Enforcement Support Branch officials, none of these vehicles was ever assigned to a division or used for enforcement operations. ATF decided not to keep these vehicles or obtain others for enforcement operations. At the time of our review, ATF had provided four of these vehicles to local law enforcement agencies. The remaining vehicle at Fort McClellan was awaiting disposal. Our examination of vehicle listings from ATF’s Inventory Tracking and Equipment Management System confirmed that none of the peacekeeper vehicles was assigned to field divisions at the time of our review.

As of February 1996, ATF had obtained nine excess military fixed-wing twin engine two-seater aircraft for use in enforcement operations. Seven of these airplanes were strategically located within the United States and had been equipped with an advanced thermal imaging system that can be used for surveillance during low visibility conditions. According to ATF’s Chief Pilot, the remaining two airplanes were in storage. According to ATF policy, the airplanes primarily are intended for use during surveillance operations, such as aerial photography and general area surveys. According to the Chief of the Special Operations Division, these aircraft and/or previously leased fixed-wing aircraft have been used between 200 and 300 times a year in the past 4 years. In addition, ATF may obtain assistance from other agencies, such as the U.S. Customs Service, Department of Defense, and local law enforcement units, in conducting surveillance operations and transporting agents via aircraft. However, according to ATF policy, ATF agents must obtain approval from ATF’s Chief Pilot in the Air Operations Branch of the Special Operations Division before using any non-ATF aircraft.

On the basis of the records we reviewed, in only one instance did an SRT use aircraft to transport agents during an operation in fiscal year 1995. In this operation, the SRT was deployed to provide surveillance and possible assistance in the arrest of a suspect in the Oklahoma City bombing investigation and was transported to the desert by the U.S. Customs Service’s and a local Sheriff department’s helicopters. Aircraft were more frequently used by SRTs for assistance in operational planning efforts. For example, we observed aerial surveillance photographs of locations at which the Los Angeles Division’s SRT conducted several of its activations in fiscal year 1995. We were told that these photographs were used during operational planning.

ATF Clothing Used for Agent Safety

ATF agents’ basic duty uniform for enforcement operations consists of a dark-blue jacket with matching teeshirt, pants, baseball cap, and ballistic vest. The uniform has yellow lettering in numerous places indicating “ATF,” “AGENT,” “POLICE,” and/or the ATF shield. The uniform also includes a black pistol belt, black nylon holster, and magazine pouch. Agents are not issued footwear, but may obtain tactical boots for which they are to be reimbursed by ATF. Also, according to ATF officials, almost all agents are issued a U.S. Army excess tactical helmet—painted black—with a detachable, clear plexiglass shield for eye protection. The purpose of the tactical helmets is to provide additional safety for the agents’ heads during high-risk operations. The clear shield provides no ballistic protection, but is intended to provide protection from flying debris.

Agents assigned to SRTs are to wear the same basic duty uniform described above with some additional clothing during enforcement operations. SRT members wear a black-webbed vest, which is used to carry extra equipment (e.g., diversionary devices, radios, and extra ammunition) over their ballistic vest. SRTs may also wear fire-retardant gloves for added protection during operations in which diversionary devices are authorized. In addition, the Los Angeles Division’s SRT wears fire-retardant balaclavasfor further protection during these operations. However, according to the Los Angeles Division’s SRT leader, division management requires the balaclavas to be removed as soon as the entry or operation is complete and the area is secure. ATF has obtained excess military clothing, such as camouflage battle dress, for use by agents during training, to reduce the wear on agents’ basic duty uniforms. According to ATF agents, this clothing also may be worn during surveillance operations in rural areas. However, according to SRT agents and ATF headquarters officials, with only an occasional exception in rural areas, the camouflage clothing is not to be worn by entry teams during the execution of search and arrest warrants.

During our review of division training, we observed ATF agents wearing the basic duty uniform, tactical helmets and boots as well as SRT agents wearing their additional carrier vests. Agents with whom we spoke stated that this clothing represented what they wear during enforcement operations.

ATF Equipment Is Generally Comparable to FBI’s and DEA’s

On the basis of our discussions with FBI and DEA training and field division officials as well as our observations of the equipment at their Washington field divisions, ATF weaponry generally is comparable to the weapons used by FBI and DEA. However, unlike ATF, both FBI and DEA have and are authorized to use certain automatic weapons (e.g., M16 rifle) that, with a single depression of the trigger, will continue to fire rounds until the trigger is released or the ammunition is exhausted. However, DEA Washington Division officials stated they had never used the M16 during enforcement operations, and both DEA and FBI officials agreed that the M16 is not a very practical weapon for urban operations.

In addition, the breaching equipment, body bunkers, vehicles, aircraft, clothing, and specialized equipment used by SRTs also generally are comparable with those used by FBI SWAT and DEA HEAT teams. For example, FBI SWAT team members have black or green uniforms and DEA HEAT team members have green uniforms. Both FBI SWAT and DEA HEAT teams have ballistic helmets and fire-retardant balaclavas. Also, FBI and DEA have aircraft that can be used for intelligence and surveillance operations, such as obtaining aerial photography, and the FBI SWAT and DEA HEAT teams generally have similar vehicles, such as sports utility vehicles, from which they can deploy and in which they store equipment. However, while FBI SWAT teams have some additional tactical equipment not available to SRTs for dynamic entries, such as additional breaching equipment, the DEA HEAT team has somewhat less equipment. For example, the DEA HEAT team does not train with or have equipment for rappelling, is not allowed to use flash/sound diversionary devices, and does not include a sniper/forward observer position and its related equipment.

Conclusions

Dynamic entry is a common tactic used by ATF, DEA, and FBI when entry to premises is used to execute high-risk search and arrest warrants. Dynamic entry is to be used when it is believed to be the safest alternative given the particular circumstances and requirements of an operation. The weaponry and equipment available for use by ATF, DEA, and FBI to effect dynamic entries are generally comparable.

ATF Complied With Its Procedures for Investigating Shooting and Alleged Excessive Force Incidents

ATF has procedures in place for reporting, investigating, and reviewing shooting incidents and use of excessive force allegations involving ATF agents. These procedures are consistent with guidelines and/or standards recommended by IACP, PCIE, and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Overall, ATF’s procedures for shooting incidents also are comparable to those employed by DEA and FBI. However, while ATF’s excessive force procedures are comparable to DEA’s, there are distinctions with those employed by FBI.

Our review of available information in ATF’s investigative files of reported intentional shootings and alleged use of excessive force incidents for fiscal years 1990 through 1995 showed that ATF complied with its investigative procedures in effect at the time of the investigation except that two investigative files did not contain a record of review by the designated unit at ATF headquarters as required by procedures. Our review also showed that ATF investigations determined that all reported intentional shootings were justified and most reported allegations of excessive force were unsubstantiated. In addition, our review showed that ATF agents found to have engaged in misconduct received sanctions in the form of written reprimands and suspensions, and that ATF has implemented lessons learned from its investigations.

ATF Procedures Are Consistent With Recommended Guidelines and Standards and Are Generally Comparable to Those Employed by DEA and FBI

ATF’s procedures for reporting, investigating, and reviewing shooting incidents and allegations of use of excessive force are consistent with recommended guidelines and/or standards for law enforcement agencies established by IACP, PCIE, and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Overall, the shooting incident procedures are comparable to those employed by DEA and FBI. However, while the excessive force procedures are comparable to DEA’s, there are distinctions with those employed by FBI.

ATF also has procedures for addressing administrative tort claims and civil lawsuits filed by complainants. Complainants may file such administrative claims and lawsuits in addition to reporting allegations of excessive force use.

Procedures for Reporting, Investigating, and Reviewing Shooting Incidents

ATF has procedures in place for reporting, investigating, and reviewing shooting incidents. These procedures were revised in October 1994. The revisions were initiated by the ATF Director as part of an overall reorganization of ATF’s operations. Under the revised procedures, ATF’s OIis responsible for investigating reported shooting incidents. Before the revision, ATF’s Office of Enforcement (OE) was responsible for investigating shooting incidents. According to an OI official, the transfer of responsibility was part of an effort to make the investigative process independent of the enforcement process. As a result of the overall reorganization, OI reports directly to the ATF Director. The revisions also include changes in the reporting requirements and procedures and in the procedures for reviewing shooting incident reports. Appendix IV contains a detailed description of ATF’s procedures for reporting, investigating, and reviewing shooting incidents.

As shown in figure 5.1, once a shooting incident occurs, the ATF agents involved in or present at the incident are required to immediately notify their supervisors. The incident is then to be reported through the chain of command to OE and OI, followed by a written notification within 12 hours of occurrence. Agents are not required to report shooting incidents related to authorized training and recreational shooting. According to the procedures, OI is to determine whether to conduct an investigation of any incident involving the discharge of a firearm within the criteria established by ATF. For example, the intentional discharge of a firearm by an agent is to be investigated. However, shootings of canines or other animals, while required to be reported, are not normally investigated. If an investigation of a shooting incident is required, OI is to assign it to a shooting incident review team (SIRT).

An SIRT is to investigate the shooting incident according to the process described in figure 5.2. The investigation is to include, among other things, the determination of facts and the analysis of the events and circumstances relating to the incident. The SIRT is then to issue a Shooting Incident Report (SIR) that is to include, among other things, background on the incident, information on suspects’ actions, and exhibits. The report is to be submitted to the OI Assistant Director. On the basis of the incident’s nature and seriousness, the Assistant Director is to submit copies of the report to all members of the Shooting Incident Review Board (SIRB). The SIRB is composed of the following ATF officials: (1) the OI Assistant Director; (2) the Deputy Associate Director for Criminal Enforcement Programs; (3) the two Deputy Associate Directors for Criminal Enforcement Field Operations in the West and East Regions, respectively; (4) the Associate Chief Counsel for Litigation, Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC); (5) the Assistant Director for Training and Professional Development; and (6) the Chief of the Special Operations Division.

According to the OI Assistant Director (and current Chairman), the SIRB meets at the Chairman’s request, generally within 2 to 3 weeks after a SIR(s) has been submitted, to review the report(s) and determine whether the shooting(s) was justified. The SIRB may accordingly recommend, among other things, changes to training and operational policies. Cognizant ATF Directorate heads are responsible for implementing the recommendations and are to respond in writing within 30 days describing the actions taken. If the SIRB finds the shooting to be not justified, and potential misconduct by ATF agents, it is to forward the matter to ATF’s Professional Review Board (PRB). As discussed below, PRB is to review incidents of alleged agent misconduct, including the alleged use of excessive force.

ATF’s procedures are consistent with guidelines and/or standards recommended by IACP, PCIE, and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Specifically, IACP reporting guidelines recommend that use-of-force incidents, including shooting incidents, be reported in an accurate and timely manner. These guidelines also recommend the preparation of a written report about the incident and the notification of supervisors. In addition, IACP guidelines recommend that shooting incidents be investigated and that the resulting investigative reports be reviewed to determine whether changes in training or other policies are needed. Consistent with these guidelines, ATF procedures require agents to immediately report shootings to their supervisors and to follow up with a written report. In addition, the procedures require that shooting incidents be investigated and—depending on the nature of the incident—the resulting reports be reviewed by the SIRB to determine if changes in policies are warranted.

PCIE standards recommend that investigators be qualified, exhibit professional proficiency, and exercise due professional care by following an investigative plan and relevant procedures. In addition, the standards recommend, among other things, the establishment of a management information system. Consistent with these standards, according to OI officials, (1) ATF investigators are special agents who have been trained—both collectively and individually—in the investigation of shooting and other use-of-force incidents, (2) ATF investigators use an investigative plan in the form of an action checklist, and (3) OI maintains investigative files and tracks investigations in a computer database.

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies standards, like IACP’s guidelines, recommend that shooting incidents be reported at least verbally by law enforcement officers within a specified period of time and to be followed by a written report as soon as practical thereafter. The Commission standards also recommend that law enforcement agencies review the incident reports. ATF’s procedures for reporting and reviewing shooting incidents, discussed earlier, are consistent with these standards. For example, ATF’s procedures require agents to immediately report shooting incidents to their supervisors. In addition, SIRB—depending on the nature of the incident—is to review investigative reports of shooting incidents.

Both IACP’s and PCIE’s investigative guidelines and standards respectively recommend that investigations generally be impartial, thorough, and timely. These guidelines and standards also recommend that a thorough investigation is to involve, among other things, interviewing witnesses, gathering and preserving evidence, preparing a written report, and maintaining an investigative file. According to the IACP guidelines, the purpose of an investigation is to determine (1) the propriety of the use of force and (2) whether the use of force was in accordance with policy. Our review of ATF’s shooting incident procedures and investigative files showed that investigations were performed by OI, a Directorate that is independent of OE, which is the Directorate most likely to be involved in shooting incidents. The procedures require that the investigation be completed within 30 days of the incident. They also require that an investigation is to, among other things, include interviewing participants and witnesses, and gathering evidence. In addition, an ATF investigation is to (1) determine compliance with ATF and Treasury use-of-force policies, (2) establish a factual record for purposes of potential tort claims or litigation resulting from the incident, and (3) identify lessons learned.

ATF’s Shooting Incident Procedures Are Generally Comparable to Those Employed by DEA and FBI

Overall, ATF’s procedures are comparable to those employed by DEA and FBI. For example, DEA and FBI reporting procedures require their agents to immediately report shooting incidents through their chains of command to the SACs. The initial reporting is to be followed by the SACs’ notification of their respective headquarters by teletype. Accordingly, for example, a DEA SAC is to notify DEA’s Office of Inspection and the appropriate drug section. In addition, DEA and FBI procedures, like ATF’s, require that written investigative reports be prepared. These reports are to include, where pertinent, witness interviews, police and medical reports, and incident scene diagrams and photographs, among other things. Finally, both DEA and FBI, like ATF’s SIRB, have units to review shooting incidents.

There are two distinctions in the three agencies’ shooting incident procedures. The first distinction is related to investigative procedures. Specifically, DEA and FBI field divisions involved in a shooting incident may investigate that incident, while ATF field divisions cannot. For example, according to DEA procedures, DEA’s Office of Inspections may designate a DEA field division to investigate accidental and other firearm discharges it was involved in that did not result in significant injuries. Furthermore, according to a DEA official, the Office of Inspections is to monitor these investigations and conduct a post-investigative review of the field division’s final report to determine compliance with investigative procedures. In addition, according to an FBI official, FBI field divisions also may investigate shooting incidents in which they were involved. The Assistant Director of FBI’s Inspection Division, in consultation with the Assistant Director of the Criminal Division and the cognizant SAC, is to decide who will conduct the investigation. According to the FBI official, the decision is to be based on the seriousness of the shooting incident.

The second distinction is related to the review process. Specifically, FBI’s Shooting Incident Review Group, in addition to FBI personnel, also includes one attorney each from Justice’s Civil Rights and Criminal Divisions, while DEA’s Critical Incident and Firearms Review Committee could include a representative from Justice—to be designated by Justice—on a case-by-case basis. In contrast, ATF’s SIRB is composed of only ATF personnel.

Procedures for Reporting, Investigating, and Reviewing Excessive Force Allegations

ATF also has procedures in place for reporting, investigating, and reviewing use of excessive force allegations. According to these procedures, OI is responsible for investigating allegations of various types of misconduct by ATF agents, including the use of excessive force. Overall, DEA’s procedures were comparable to ATF’s in addressing use of excessive force allegations. However, there were distinctions between ATF’s and FBI’s procedures. ATF’s OCC is responsible for reviewing administrative tort claims and civil lawsuits filed by complainants.

Procedures for Reporting and Investigating Excessive Force Allegations

According to an OI official, complainants generally report allegations of use of excessive force to the SACs of ATF field divisions or to local law enforcement agencies who, in turn, refer them to OI. Complainants have also reported their allegations directly to OI and have filed administrative tort claims and/or civil lawsuits. In addition, use of excessive force allegations have been reported by ATF agents who have witnessed such incidents. ATF procedures require agents to report these allegations promptly to OI.

OI has discretion over which use of excessive force allegations to investigate. According to OI officials, after an allegation is reported to OI and documented in an Incident Report, OI reviews the allegation and decides whether to launch a formal investigation. Criteria for determining whether to investigate the allegations include the seriousness of the allegations, the reliability of the source, and the timeliness of their reporting. According to the OI officials, while some allegations—following a preliminary review—are determined to be frivolous and, therefore, are not investigated, most of them are investigated. According to OI, an example of a frivolous allegation is one where complainants identify ATF agents as having used excessive force against them during an enforcement action, and a subsequent OI preliminary review determines that ATF agents were not involved in the enforcement action.

OCC may request an investigation of excessive force allegations as a result of an administrative tort claim or civil lawsuit filed by a complainant. Whether or not OI determines that an investigation is warranted, it is to prepare and retain an Incident Report documenting the allegations.

If OI decides to investigate use of excessive force allegations, the investigation is to be conducted by one of OI’s four regional offices, overseen by OI’s Deputy Assistant Director. The investigation is to be conducted using the same investigative procedures and techniques as those for shooting incident investigations discussed earlier (also see fig. 5.2 and app. IV). At the end of the investigation, a Report of Investigation is to be prepared and submitted to OI, where it is to be reviewed and signed by the Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director. The report is then to be submitted to PRB for further review.

According to ATF’s misconduct procedures, all allegations of criminal violations by ATF employees are to be immediately reported to OI. OI is then to refer the matter to the local U.S. Attorney, Justice, or the appropriate state or local prosecutor for jurisdictional and prosecutorial determinations. In addition, if an OI misconduct investigation identifies potential civil rights violations resulting from the alleged use of excessive force, OI is to refer the matter to Justice’s Civil Rights Division for jurisdictional and prosecutorial determination.

Procedures for Reviewing Use of Excessive Force Investigations

Reports of investigations involving alleged misconduct by ATF special agents—including use of excessive force—are to be reviewed by PRB. In addition, PRB is to review any shooting incident referred to it by SIRB for adverse or disciplinary action because of agent negligence. According to the PRB Chairman, from its inception in August 1995 until December 1995, PRB reviewed 44 investigative reports, of which he estimated about 10 were alleged use of excessive force incidents. According to the Chairman, none of the reviewed alleged excessive force reports resulted in disciplinary action against the agents involved.

PRB is composed of the following ATF members: (1) the Chief of OE’s Enforcement Management Staff, who is also the PRB chairman; (2) the Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of Science and Information Technology; (3) the Chief of Laboratory Services of the Office of Science and Information Technology; (4) the Chief of OE’s Alcohol and Tobacco Programs Division; and (5) the Chief of the Career Development Division’s Office of Training and Development. According to an ATF official, before PRB, investigative reports were to be submitted to and reviewed by officials such as an agent’s SAC or OE’s Assistant Director to determine the need for and types of sanctions.

According to the PRB Chairman, PRB meets every 2 weeks to review the investigative reports submitted by OI. On the basis of the facts of each incident, PRB determines whether to propose adverse or disciplinary action against the agents involved. PRB coordinates this decision with ATF’s ELRB and OCC. If it is determined that adverse or disciplinary action—such as suspension, demotion, or termination—is warranted, PRB will propose such action in a formal letter. The letter, which ELRB drafts and the PRB Chairman signs, is presented to the agent(s) involved in the incident. The agent has 15 days within which to respond (orally or in writing) to the proposed action or appeal it to a deciding official, normally a senior manager in the agent’s field or headquarters unit. The deciding official must coordinate his/her proposed decision with ELRB and OCC. If ELRB and OCC do not agree and a compromise cannot be reached, then the decision can be elevated to the next highest level, up to the Associate Director of the relevant Directorate. The ultimate deciding official is responsible for implementing the disciplinary action. PRB is to receive a copy of the final action decision. Agents retain rights to appeal a decision to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) or to file a complaint of discrimination or a grievance.

Excessive Force Incident Procedures Are Consistent With Recommended Guidelines and Standards

ATF’s procedures are consistent with guidelines and/or standards recommended by IACP, PCIE, and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. IACP and PCIE guidelines and standards respectively for reporting, investigating, and reviewing use of excessive force incidents are the same as those for shooting incidents discussed earlier. The Commission’s standards call for a specialized unit to investigate, among other types of misconduct, the use of force by law enforcement officers. The standards also call for written directives to investigate complaints and maintain records of such complaints. In addition, the standards call for the investigative unit to report to the agency’s chief executive.

Consistent with the IACP, PCIE, and Commission guidelines and standards, ATF procedures designate OI, which reports directly to ATF’s Director, to investigate complaints of misconduct, including use of excessive force. In addition, the procedures require agents to report misconduct, including use of excessive force, to OI. As discussed earlier, OI is to conduct preliminary investigations of allegations of misconduct, document them, and, if the facts warrant, formally investigate the alleged misconduct. The report resulting from the investigation is then to be reviewed by PRB.

ATF’s Procedures Are Comparable to Those Employed by DEA but Distinct From Those Employed by FBI

Overall, ATF’s procedures are comparable to DEA’s in addressing use of excessive force allegations. However, there are distinctions between ATF’s and FBI’s procedures. According to DEA officials, complainants report their allegations either to local law enforcement agencies or to field division SACs. The SACs then report the allegations to DEA headquarters. Specifically, according to DEA’s procedures, allegations of unnecessary (DEA’s characterization of “excessive”) force are to be reported to its Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). OPR is to determine whether to investigate the allegations and which unit—agent’s supervisor, the cognizant field division, or OPR—will investigate them. The resulting investigative reports are to be reviewed by DEA’s Board of Professional Conduct. The Board is then to either clear the agent or propose disciplinary or adverse action. Authority for such actions is taken pursuant to 28 C.F.R., section 0.138.

The only distinction we noted between ATF’s and DEA’s excessive force incident procedures related to the delegation of investigative responsibility. According to DEA’s procedures, use of unnecessary force allegations may be investigated either by the agent’s supervisor, the cognizant field division, or DEA’s OPR. In comparison, ATF’s OI does not delegate its investigative responsibility.

There are distinctions between FBI’s and ATF’s procedures for investigating and reviewing allegations of excessive force. According to FBI’s procedures, reported allegations of excessive force against FBI agents are to be referred by OPR to the FBI Criminal Investigative Division’s Civil Rights Unit for investigation. The Civil Rights Unit is to first discuss all allegations with Justice’s Civil Rights Division to determine whether Justice will request a criminal investigation or decline in favor of an administrative investigation. If the Civil Rights Division does not decline, a criminal investigation of an allegation is to be conducted by FBI agents under the supervision of the Civil Rights Unit and the Civil Rights Division. Once the criminal investigation is complete, and if the Civil Rights Division declines prosecution, the matter is to be referred back to OPR for administrative processing. Specifically, OPR is to review the Civil Rights Unit’s investigative report and is to determine its completeness and whether specific FBI policies, procedures, and guidelines were violated. OPR is to then refer the report to the FBI Personnel Division’s Administrative Summary Unit. The Administrative Summary Unit is to determine—and recommend as applicable—whether any administrative action is warranted, on the basis of investigative facts and applicable case precedents. Authority for such action is granted to FBI under 28 C.F.R., section 0.137.

In contrast to FBI, ATF’s OI, as discussed earlier, is to first conduct an administrative investigation of alleged misconduct by its agents, including excessive force allegations. If the investigation identifies any potential criminal misconduct by an ATF agent, OI is to refer the matter to the appropriate federal, state, and local prosecutor, or to Justice for jurisdictional and prosecutorial determination. In addition, if the investigation identifies potential civil rights violations resulting from the alleged use of excessive force, OI is to refer the matter to Justice’s Civil Rights Division for jurisdictional and prosecutorial determination.

Complainants Have Filed Administrative Tort Claims and Civil Lawsuits Related to Use of Excessive Force Allegations

In addition to reporting use of excessive force allegations, complainants have also filed administrative tort claims and civil lawsuits against ATF related to these allegations. During fiscal years 1990 through 1995, complainants filed 975 administrative tort claims and 528 civil lawsuits. As discussed earlier, during the same period, ATF initiated 76,542 investigations and arrested 46,930 suspects. Under ATF’s procedures, OCC is responsible for reviewing the administrative tort claims and civil lawsuits and advising ATF, Treasury, and Justice decisionmakers on legal issues related to the claims and lawsuits.

Tort Claim Process

In addition to reporting use of excessive force allegations to ATF, complainants may also file administrative tort claims—claims for monetary compensation—under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA).According to the ACC for litigation, these claims are filed against the United States for allegedly negligent or other wrongful acts—such as damaging property—committed by its employees, such as ATF special agents, during the course of their employment. All administrative tort claims involving ATF employees are initially to be filed with ATF’s Chief of the Administrative Programs Division, who has the authority to make the final decision on the claims. After a claim is filed, the Chief is to refer it to OCC for legal review and advice. Procedurally, a claimant must first present an administrative claim to the appropriate federal agency. Once the claim has been denied, or 6 months after the claim has been filed, the claimant may bring a lawsuit in federal court.

At OCC, the ACC for litigation is to assign the claim a unique number and enter it into a computerized case management and tracking system. The claim is then to be assigned to an attorney. The attorney is to conduct an initial screening of the claim to determine whether (1) it is filed in a timely manner and contains the prerequisite “sum certain” in damages, (2) it includes sufficient documentation of the claimed damages, (3) an investigative or accident report was created, and (4) other agencies were involved in the incident resulting in the claim. If the claim does not contain a sum certain figure or sufficient documentation—such as medical reports and bills—to support the claimed damages, a letter to the claimant is to be prepared requesting additional information and documentation. In shooting incidents, the relevant SIR is to be obtained. In incidents where no investigative report is available, OCC is to request an investigation of the allegations from OI. If another agency was involved in the incident, counsel for that agency is to be contacted and the resolution of the claim is to be coordinated as required by Justice regulations on federal tort claims.

The assigned attorney also is to conduct a legal analysis of the claim’s facts and applicable law. Specifically, the attorney is to determine whether (1) the claim falls within FTCA, (2) the ATF employee was within the scope of employment at the time of the incident, (3) the claimed negligent or wrongful conduct is factually and legally supported, (4) there are any affirmative defenses under the applicable state law that bar recovery—such as the claimant was also negligent, and (5) damages are recoverable under state law.

To determine damages, the attorney is to consult comparable cases in the same state where the injuries were parallel. On the basis of this legal review, the ACC for litigation is to prepare a memorandum for the Chief of the Administrative Programs Division. The memorandum is to summarize the case and recommend whether the claim should be allowed in full or part or be disallowed. The memorandum is to be accompanied by a letter to the claimant and a payment voucher if the claim is being allowed. If the award involves more than $25,000 and it is approved by the Administrative Programs Division Chief, it must also be approved by Justice. Without Justice’s approval, the letter to the claimant cannot be sent.

During fiscal years 1990 through 1995, 975 administrative tort claims were filed against ATF. According to the ACC for litigation, 279 of the 975 claims—or about 29 percent—could be related to the excessive use of force. Specifically, of the 279 claims, 143 resulted from the Waco incident, 14 resulted from the alleged destruction of or damage to firearms, 6 resulted from property damage caused by discharged bullets, 53 resulted from property damage caused during the execution of warrants, 8 resulted from shooting incidents, and 55 resulted from injuries during some type of law enforcement activity. Injury claims are filed for, among other things, assault and battery, such as striking, pushing, or kicking—25 of the 55 injury-related tort claims alleged such activity. Of the 55 tort claims resulting from injuries, 4 were granted, 12 were pending at the time of our review, and 39 were denied. Of the four tort claims that were granted, one was for medical costs of an arrestee ($122.46), one was for detention of individuals during a state enforcement action in which ATF agents participated ($200 for each claimant), one was for the execution of a search warrant at a wrong address ($10,000), and one was for false arrest ($15,000). Twenty-three of the injury tort claims also resulted in civil lawsuits. Of these, 12 were dismissed, 1 was settled for $20,000 for false arrest, and 10 were pending at the time of our review.

Civil Litigation Process

According to the ACC for litigation, civil lawsuits against ATF are filed by individuals either as (1) “Bivens cases” for alleged violations of their constitutional rights or (2) FTCA cases for negligence or wrongful acts committed by employees within the scope of their employment. Bivens cases are named after the 1971 Supreme Court decision that held that an individual injured by a federal agent’s alleged violation of the Fourth Amendment may bring an action against the agent. FTCA cases fall under the tort claims statute discussed earlier.

All civil lawsuits against ATF and its employees involving official duties are to be forwarded to OCC. At OCC, the lawsuit is to be assigned a number and entered into a computerized case management and tracking system. The lawsuit is then to be assigned to an attorney for an initial review. The attorney is to determine whether the lawsuit is against the United States, ATF, an ATF employee in his/her official capacity, or an ATF employee in his/her individual capacity. The attorney is also to gather all documentation related to the incident, such as a tort claim file (if applicable), a SIR, OI’s misconduct report, decisions and rulings in related criminal cases, and related criminal investigative or compliance inspection reports.

If the lawsuit is against the United States, ATF, or an ATF employee in his/her official capacity, the appropriate ATF office and employee is to be notified of the lawsuit. Justice is to provide representation in the lawsuit without a written request from the employee. However, if the lawsuit is against an employee in his/her individual capacity, the employee is to be notified of the lawsuit and advised that Justice representation is available if requested. If the employee requests Justice representation, the employee must forward a written request concerning the facts of the allegations to OCC. The employee’s supervisor must also provide written notice that he/she is aware of the allegations and the employee’s conduct and has determined that the employee acted properly within the scope of employment. OCC is then to advise Justice on whether to represent the employee, on the basis of whether the employee acted within the scope of employment and representation is in the best interest of the government.

During litigation, Justice may solicit ATF’s views regarding a settlement. In general, OCC is to prepare a memorandum analyzing the relevant law, facts, and litigation risk. If a settlement in excess of $500,000 is recommended, it must be approved by Treasury’s Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement if the lawsuit is against the United States, ATF, or an ATF employee in his/her official capacity. If there is a proposed settlement or adverse action against an employee in his/her individual capacity, the employee may request indemnification by making a written request to OCC. OCC is then to make a recommendation on the basis of an analysis of the case’s facts and legal issues. The recommendation is to be submitted to Treasury’s Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement and the Deputy Secretary for Enforcement for approval. Indemnification is approved and available only if the employee acted within the scope of employment, it is in the best interest of Treasury, and there are available appropriated funds for ATF.

During fiscal years 1990 through 1995, 528 civil lawsuits were filed against ATF. According to the ACC for litigation, of the 528 lawsuits, 183 were Bivens and FTCA-related lawsuits. Of the 183 lawsuits, 31 were filed as a result of a shooting or other allegation of excessive force use. Furthermore, of these 183 lawsuits, 106 alleged an illegal search and/or seizure; 35 were challenges to criminal convictions; and 42 were related to other allegations, such as failure to place an individual in a witness protection program, libel and slander, and invasion of privacy. In addition, 15 of the 528 lawsuits were filed as a result of the Waco incident.

Of the 183 lawsuits not related to Waco, 11 were settled with no finding against or concession of wrongdoing by ATF, 115 were dismissed, and 57 were pending at the time of our review. Among some of the lawsuit settlements, two were for trespass-type claims involving searches of property and four were for false arrest claims involving, among other things, mistaken identities. The settlements ranged from $200 for false arrest claims to $250,000 for the accidental shooting of a local law enforcement officer.

ATF Complied With Its Investigative Procedures

Our review of available information in ATF’s shooting incident and excessive force investigative files for fiscal years 1990 through 1995 showed that ATF complied with its investigative procedures in effect at the time of the investigation except that two investigative files did not contain a record of review required by the procedures. The review also showed that ATF (1) investigations found that all reported intentional shootings were justified, (2) investigations found that most reported allegations of excessive force were unsubstantiated, and (3) agents found to have engaged in some type of misconduct received sanctions in the form of written reprimands and suspensions.

As discussed in chapter 1, due to time and methodological constraints, we did not evaluate the events that resulted in the incidents or the quality and adequacy of the ATF investigations. In addition, we did not verify whether all shooting and alleged excessive force incidents were reported, or whether all reported allegations of excessive force were investigated. Our conclusions about ATF’s compliance with its investigative procedures are based on whether we found documentation required by these procedures in the investigative files of shooting and alleged excessive force incidents and whether the documentation indicated that investigative procedures had been followed. Where documentation was not initially found, we obtained documents and/or explanations from ATF officials. Our conclusions apply only to the files we reviewed.

Review of Shooting and Use of Excessive Force Incident Investigations

Our review of ATF’s investigations of shooting incidents focused on those incidents where ATF agents reported intentionally discharging their weapons at suspects. As shown in table 5.1, during the period of fiscal years 1990 to 1995, ATF agents were involved in 39 such incidents. We reviewed 38 files of shooting incident investigations. We did not review the shooting incident resulting from ATF’s operation at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco because it was investigated by Treasury and not by ATF. Of the 38 shooting incidents we reviewed, 4 were the result of ATF SRT operations. Of the remaining 34 shooting incidents, 11 resulted from non-SRT ATF operations; 19 resulted from task force or other joint operations with federal, state, and/or local law enforcement agencies; and 4 resulted from other situations.

As part of our review, we also identified and reviewed all 92 files of investigations—conducted during fiscal years 1990 through 1995—involving reported allegations of misconduct by ATF agents in 3 categories of agent misconduct: (1) misconduct during the execution of a search warrant, (2) violation of a person’s civil rights, and (3) assault by an agent on a person. As shown in table 5.2, 25 of the 92 investigations involved incidents specifically alleging the physical abuse of persons and/or property by agents. Of the 25 use of excessive force allegations, 1 was the result of an SRT operation. Of the remaining 24 use of excessive force allegations, 9 resulted from non-SRT ATF operations; 9 from task force or other joint operations with federal, state, and/or local law enforcement agencies; and 6 from other activities, such as a traffic dispute and the interrogation of a suspect.

Our review of available information in ATF’s shooting and excessive force incident investigative files showed that ATF complied with its investigative procedures in effect at the time of the investigation with an exception discussed below. Specifically, all 39 reported shooting incidents involving ATF agents intentionally discharging their firearms were investigated—either by ATF or Treasury—as required by ATF procedures.

In addition, the 38 shooting incident and 25 excessive force investigative files we reviewed contained the following items as required by ATF procedures. • The identification of individuals—such as ATF agents, other federal and/or state and local law enforcement officers, and suspects—and property involved in the incidents. Injuries and/or fatalities resulting from the incidents. • The type of operation—such as SRT, non-SRT, and task force—and type of law enforcement activity that resulted in the incidents, such as serving search and/or arrest warrants or engaging in undercover operations. • Written reports of the incidents and interviews with participants and witnesses.

The 25 investigative files of alleged excessive force incidents included a record of review by the designated unit as required by ATF procedures. The shooting incident investigative files generally contained a record of review by the designated unit. Specifically, 34 shooting incident files contained this information. One shooting investigation review was pending at the time of our review and one shooting investigation was submitted to ATF’s then Office of Internal Affairs (the predecessor to OI) without a formal review. In addition, an OE official explained that following a search, a record of headquarters review could not be located in two shooting incident investigative files. These two incidents were investigated before the October 1994 revision of ATF’s investigative procedures.

According to OI officials, other types of information, while not required by ATF procedures, could be included in investigative files if they are available, or—in the case of medical reports—are required by special circumstances, such as tort claims. For example, 35 shooting incident files included pertinent descriptions of the incident scenes and 30 files included descriptions of evidence, while 15 and 12 alleged excessive force files respectively included this information. In addition, 32 shooting and 20 alleged excessive force files contained a record of notification of the incident to ATF headquarters. Also, all 38 shooting and 22 of the 25 alleged excessive force files contained an indication of whether shootings were justified or the allegations were substantiated, and whether some type of sanction or corrective action was recommended. Finally, 11 shooting and 10 excessive force investigative files included a medical report.

According to the OI officials, the investigative files discussed above may not have included information for several reasons. For example, descriptions of evidence—such as weapons and vehicles—may not be available because such evidence may have been discarded by suspects and never recovered. Written records of incident notification—significant activity reports (SAR)—are not material to OI investigations because OI is notified of incidents by telephone. This notification, in turn, is documented in an incident report, which is required to be included in the investigative file. Medical reports may not be included in a file because of legal access and privacy issues. Complainants are required to provide medical reports only for incidents that result in tort claims.

ATF Found All Shootings to Be Justified

ATF’s investigations and the subsequent reviews determined that all reported shootings were justified and within the scope of ATF’s use-of-force policies. The following are examples.

In a 1991 incident, two ATF agents shot and killed a suspect during the serving of a state search warrant with local law enforcement officers at the home of the suspect. The agents were returning fire after being fired upon by the suspect. The suspect was under investigation for armed drug trafficking. The investigation and subsequent review determined that the agents acted within the scope of their duties because they were protecting themselves from hostile fire. In a 1991 incident, an ATF agent exchanged fire with a suspect during an undercover “buy/bust” operation. The suspect—classified as a high-risk “shooter,” or someone likely to resist arrest—resisted arrest. The suspect was the target of a large-scale undercover operation by federal law enforcement agencies as a major cocaine dealer and convicted felon. The ATF investigation and subsequent review determined that the shooting was justified because the agents were defending themselves during a high-risk operation. In a 1992 SRT-related incident, two ATF agents shot and killed a suspect who was shooting at other agents and police officers. The incident occurred during the execution of an arrest warrant issued by a state. The execution of the warrant was a joint ATF/local police department operation. The investigation and subsequent review determined that the shooting was justified as self-defense and that ATF agents acted within the scope of their duties. In a 1994 incident, three ATF agents engaged in an undercover “buy/bust” operation exchanged fire with several suspects. The suspects were targets of a gang-related investigation involving narcotics and weapons trafficking. During the course of the operation, one of the suspects attempted to rob one of the agents of his “buy” money. At that point, the agent announced himself as a law enforcement officer, at which time the suspect shot and wounded the agent. The agent and two other agents returned fire. The suspects fled in a vehicle. One suspect was later apprehended. ATF and local law enforcement agency investigations determined that the shooting was justified since the agents fired in self-defense when confronted with a life-threatening situation.

ATF Found Most Allegations of Use of Excessive Force to Be Unsubstantiated

ATF’s investigations and subsequent reviews determined that most reported use of excessive force allegations were unsubstantiated due to the lack of evidence. Specifically, in 18 of the 25 investigations, the ATF agents involved in the alleged incidents were cleared of all allegations because these allegations could not be substantiated. Four investigations found some type of misconduct by ATF agents. Two investigations were ongoing at the time of our review. One investigation was closed without further action because OI determined that there was no need for adjudication. Specifically, the allegation dated from 1984 and could not be investigated because of the lack of witnesses and evidence. The following are examples of allegations that ATF’s investigations could not substantiate.

In a 1990 incident, a complainant alleged that an ATF agent assaulted him during an arrest for possession of an unregistered firearm. The complainant was admitted to a hospital as a result of the incident. However, ATF’s investigation of the incident determined that, according to a medical examination, there were no bruises, and that the complainant was actually admitted for a heart condition. While in the hospital, the complainant told a deputy U.S. Marshal that he had actually lied about the assault and did so in an attempt to stay out of prison by being admitted to a hospital. Accordingly, the investigation and subsequent review determined that the allegations were unsubstantiated. The agent was cleared of the allegations. In a 1992 incident in which agents were eventually cleared, a complainant alleged that two ATF agents beat him on the face and scraped his arm during the execution of a search warrant. The investigation and subsequent review determined that the allegation was unsubstantiated. Specifically, a medical examination of the complainant showed that the injuries were self-inflicted, which was a fact that the agents had observed and reported. Subsequent to the medical examination’s results, the complainant dropped the allegations against the agents. The agents received letters of clearance. In a 1994 incident, a complainant alleged that ATF agents damaged a lathe—a device used to refinish firearms—and firearms while returning them. The items had been seized as evidence for a court case. The investigation determined that the moving company hired by ATF to return the items had damaged the lathe and had twice offered to replace it at no charge. The investigation also determined that the complainant had repaired any damage to the firearms before ATF had an opportunity to examine them. As a result of the investigation, the agents received letters of clearance.

In a 1994 incident, a complainant alleged that ATF agents assaulted and physically abused him during the serving of a search warrant. During the ATF investigation, the complainant underwent a polygraph examination. The examination determined that the complainant lied about the allegations. The complainant did not dispute the results and claimed that he had not really intended to file a complaint. The investigation and subsequent review determined that the allegations were unsubstantiated, and the agents received letters of clearance.

Agents Found to Have Engaged in Misconduct Received Sanctions

Four of the 25 investigations found evidence of some agent misconduct during incidents where use of excessive force was alleged. As discussed below, the agents found to have engaged in such misconduct received sanctions in the form of written reprimands and suspensions.

In one incident, in fiscal year 1990, two agents were suspended for 1 day each for failing to report an incident to their supervisors. The incident occurred during the search of suspected gang members in front of a grocery store. According to the agents, the suspects were making threatening gestures at their unmarked government vehicle. During the search, a struggle ensued during which a suspect was shoved by an agent against a store window, which was broken as a result. The store owner reported the incident to a local law enforcement agency, which then reported it to the ATF SAC. In a second incident, in 1990, an investigation determined that during an SRT-related operation involving the undercover purchase of firearms, an ATF agent engaged in a loud and offensive confrontation with a confidential informant who was part of the operation. The agent apparently became upset because narcotics were found in the informant’s vehicle. As a result of the incident, the agent seized the narcotics but never turned them over to any law enforcement agency. The agent later claimed that he flushed the narcotics down a toilet. The agent was suspended for 5 days for conduct “unbecoming to an agent” and for failing to properly handle suspected narcotics. In a third incident, in 1993, the complainant alleged that an ATF agent verbally and physically abused him, aggravating a pre-existing injury. The incident occurred during the serving of a federal search warrant. An ATF investigation and subsequent review determined that the allegations of physical abuse were unsubstantiated. However, the agent received a written reprimand for unprofessional conduct and for initiating a confrontation with the complainant that could have become more violent. In a fourth incident, in 1994, a suspect’s girlfriend filed a complaint alleging an ATF agent struck her boyfriend—a parole violator—with a firearm while arresting him. The agent claimed that the suspect struck his head on the pavement during a brief struggle. The suspect submitted to a polygraph test the results of which indicated deception on the suspect’s part. However, the agent received a written reprimand for failing to report an injury to a suspect during his official duties.

Results of Limited Check

As noted earlier, we did not verify whether all shooting and alleged excessive force incidents were reported, or whether all reported allegations of excessive force were investigated. However, we did a limited check to identify incidents that ATF may not have investigated by (1) conducting a literature search using the LEXIS/NEXIS electronic database to identify alleged ATF use of excessive force incidents reported in the media and (2) contacting the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Rifle Association to identify allegations of ATF excessive force reported to these organizations. Through these sources, eight incidents were identified. We then (1) cross-checked the alleged incidents we identified against ATF’s (a) investigative records to determine if ATF investigated these incidents and (b) litigation records to determine if any complainants filed civil lawsuits against ATF related to these incidents, and (2) discussed these incidents with cognizant officials.

Our cross-check of ATF’s investigative and litigation records determined that three of the incidents—one shooting and two excessive force allegations—were investigated by ATF. Our cross-check also determined that two other incidents did not involve allegations of excessive force.

Finally, our cross-check determined the following regarding the remaining three incidents: • A 1991 incident of alleged excessive force reported by the National Rifle Association was not investigated by ATF. ATF officials told us that they were not aware of this incident because, for example, a complaint may not have been filed. Moreover, no lawsuit had been filed against ATF at the time of our review. • A 1991 incident of alleged excessive force reported in newspaper accounts and by the American Civil Liberties Union was not investigated by ATF after its preliminary inquiry found that another federal law enforcement agency’s personnel—not ATF’s—may have been involved in the alleged incident. A lawsuit was filed naming ATF, among others, as a defendant. The district court dismissed all claims against all of the federal defendants.

Subsequent plaintif motions were denied by the district court. The judgment of the district court was upheld on appeal. • A 1993 incident of alleged excessive force reported in newspaper accounts and by the National Rifle Association was not investigated by ATF at the request of the local U.S. Attorney’s Office litigating a related lawsuit against ATF. A district court dismissed a substantial part of the lawsuit.

In sum, our limited check showed that in the eight incidents, ATF’s OI—or its predecessor—either investigated or had reasons not to investigate the shooting incident or allegations of excessive force that they were aware of. Of the three incidents that OI was not aware of, two did not involve an allegation of excessive force. With respect to the one incident that OI was not aware of, OI and OCC officals told us that no complaints or lawsuits related to the incident were filed with ATF and consequently they were not aware of the incident. It should be emphasized that these results cannot be generalized beyond the eight incidents.

ATF Has Implemented Lessons Learned From Shooting Investigations

As part of its review process, ATF has implemented lessons learned resulting from its investigations of shooting incidents. ATF is also in the process of implementing lessons learned from the 1993 operation at Waco.

Procedures for Implementing Lessons Learned

According to the SIRB Chairman, changes to various policies are transmitted to agents through the SIRB report review and recommendation process. As discussed earlier and in appendix IV, under this process, SIRB is to make formal recommendations about changes in enforcement operations and policies, training, and technology to the appropriate ATF Directorates. The heads of the Directorates are responsible for implementing the recommendations and responding to the SIRB in writing. The recommended changes are to reach field agents through their SACs, who are ultimately responsible for their implementation. While the SIRB does not have the power to enforce the recommendations, their implementation is to be verified as part of OI’s inspection of ATF’s divisions.

Our review of DEA’s and FBI’s procedures for implementing lessons learned from their investigations showed that these agencies’ procedures were similar to ATF’s.

Examples of Lessons Learned Being Implemented

OI officials provided two examples of how lessons learned from OI’s investigations—and SIRB’s subsequent recommendations—have been implemented. In the first example, following a February 1995 meeting, SIRB determined that some ATF agents were accidentally discharging their firearms while using body bunkers. SIRB concluded that factors such as wearing gloves and using the off/weak hand may have contributed to the accidental discharges. In a memorandum to the Associate Director for Enforcement, SIRB recommended that agents be trained in using firearms carried in their weak, or off, hands while also using a body bunker and be requalified for firearm use while wearing gloves. In response to these recommendations, both the Associate Director for Enforcement and the ATF Director issued separate memorandums to cognizant officials, such as SACs and the Chief of ATF’s National Academy, informing them of the need to improve body bunker and firearms training. Accordingly, we observed agents at two ATF field divisions wearing gloves during their quarterly firearm training sessions.

In the second example, SIRB recommended that in response to the bursting of a shotgun barrel during a full-load test-firing—an incident that resulted in injuries—ATF’s Director of Laboratory Services purchase and use remote and secure test firing systems and safety shields. The Laboratory Services Director responded in a memorandum that he not only had implemented SIRB’s recommendations, but also had taken additional actions, such as modifying all safety procedures at ATF’s laboratories.

Lessons Learned From the Waco Operation

In October 1995, ATF issued a report identifying issues arising from the operation at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco and outlining the corrective actions it had taken in response to these issues. According to ATF officials, they reviewed the Treasury report on the Waco operation and addressed each issue raised in the report. In addition, ATF consulted with experts from other organizations and law enforcement agencies, such as IACP, the National Tactical Officers Association, the FBI, and the Secret Service, to identify weaknesses that affected the policies and procedures used during the Waco operation. According to the officials, copies of the report have been distributed to all ATF field divisions to help implementation. Also, according to these officials, ATF will (1) continually evaluate the progress of its responses to the Waco lessons and make changes as necessary, and (2) annually update the October 1995 report to reflect the progress and changes made. Finally, according to the officials, ATF is continuing to develop training programs to reflect the changes and to ensure that there is consistency between policy and training and the execution of enforcement operations.

According to the ATF report, ATF learned certain lessons related to the planning and execution of enforcement operations and addressing post-operation issues. The following is the report’s summary of the lessons learned: • ATF may not be able to carry out every tactical operation it encounters alone and must be prepared to seek assistance from other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies when necessary; • raid planners must have accurate and timely intelligence; • raid planners must have training in a wide range of tactical options; • raid plans must contain carefully constructed contingency plans so that the momentum of going forward does not take control over rational decisionmaking; • raid commanders must be chosen on the basis of their ability to handle the type of operation involved and not simply on the basis of territorial jurisdiction; • raid commanders must receive accurate and timely intelligence; • raid commanders must have clearly defined duties and responsibilities; the incident commander must be located at the command post where he/she can have access to all relevant intelligence and operational developments; • operational security must receive greater attention; in crisis situations, ATF agents who are emotionally involved and exhausted should not be left to handle media relations; and • ATF personnel, at all times, must be prepared to tell the truth and admit mistakes. If misstatements are made, they must be corrected as quickly as possible.

According to the report, among its responses to these lessons, ATF is in the process of providing command and control and crisis management training to decisionmakers, developing a tactical intelligence structure, developing policy and training for operational security, and restructuring and enhancing the SRTs. Regarding the SRTs, ATF determined that they needed to be better equipped, to be provided with more specialized training, and to have expanded capabilities.

Also according to the ATF October 1995 report, as a prelude to other changes, the ATF Director in October 1994 restructured ATF’s headquarters operations. Specifically, the Director elevated the training function to an executive-level position and created the Training and Professional Development directorate. He also created the Science and Information Technology directorate and, as discussed earlier, made the inspection function independent of the enforcement function.

Conclusions

ATF has procedures in place for reporting, investigating, and reviewing shooting incidents and allegations of excessive force by ATF agents. These procedures are consistent with guidelines and/or standards recommended by IACP, PCIE, and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and overall are comparable to those employed by DEA and FBI, except for the distinctions noted herein.

On the basis of our review of ATF’s investigative files, ATF has complied with its investigative procedures in effect at the time of the investigation except that two investigative files did not contain a record of headquarters review as required by the procedures. Also, ATF’s investigations determined all shootings to be justified and most use of excessive force allegations to be unsubstantiated. In addition, agents who ATF determined had engaged in some type of misconduct were either suspended or received letters of reprimand. Finally, we found that ATF has implemented lessons learned from shooting investigations, and is in the process of implementing lessons learned from Treasury’s investigation of the Waco incident.