Police Life spent a couple of days watching as a group of eager Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) recruits did their best to meet the entry requirements. A violent man has locked himself inside a house. Outside his front door is a group of prospective CIRT recruits who are tasked with arresting him before he can harm himself or others. One member of the group steps forward armed with a large ram that he slams into the door, while the rest of his team gather anxiously behind. The impact of metal hitting the door sends vibrations rippling through the area. The door is forced to swing open and the team files in, scanning and clearing each room methodically and backing each other up as they narrow in on where the offender is hiding. Of course, in this scenario, the man is a CIRT member playing the part. But he doesn’t go easy on the police who catch him. He lunges at them while they yell orders and tackle him to the ground before securing him and declaring the area safe. All the while, instructors are watching their every move. It is week four of the CIRT training course for 2017, which will be followed by defensive tactics, arrests, weapons and vehicle training. There is a mix of police taking part – from country police with years of policing experience to a couple of constables who have only been out of the Victoria Police Academy for two to three years.
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POLICE LIFE | SUMMER 2018
The training is intense and not for the faint-hearted. Not all police who attempt it are able to complete it.
“If someone doesn’t make it through (the training) we’ll give them advice on what they need to work on,” Sen Sgt Hayes said.
Leading the training of new CIRT members, Senior Sergeant Steve Hayes is making sure the unit recruits the best.
“We’ve had a number of members who didn’t pass the first time they tried and came back and are now doing really well in the team.
“Our people are out 24/7 in a patrol and response capability,” he said.
“We’re hoping the rest will get through.”
“There are response cars out all the time, assisting the divisions with high impact crime in their areas. “They’re also called out to sieges, prepared to respond to violent crime and are pre-deployed to large events to provide a highly trained tactical response.” It is no wonder the team puts its applicants through seven weeks of intense training, meant to test their physical ability, as well as their resilience and ability to make decisions under pressure. They are also being taught to use some of the weapons that are not usually available to general duties officers. “The use of less lethal tactics and weapons like sub-machine guns and OC munitions is reasonably new, it’s proactive, getting ahead of the game,” Sen Sgt Hayes said. “We’ve been looking at trends overseas to ensure we’re prepared, rather than having a major incident that we’re not ready for.” And the training ensures they are prepared. Fifteen police started the most recent course but, by week five, 13 remained - one withdrew due to injury and the other aimed to improve their fitness and try again.
Seven CIRT hopefuls failed to complete the last training course, which led to CIRT changing the way it goes about recruiting its people. Instructors now have increased interaction with the applicants and are able to get a better understanding of how each person is performing and their strengths and weaknesses. Training includes testing each person’s mental strength, their decision making and ability to adapt when they’re under pressure and fatigued. CIRT instructors also test each trainee’s communication and negotiation skills. It is these skills that make the best CIRT members. “We run high intensity scenarios to see how they react and the decisions they make,” Sen Sgt Hayes said. In October, the CIRT used their skills for real when a man’s family phoned Triple Zero (000) saying he was in a drug-induced psychosis, having used drugs constantly over five days. A police divisional van went to his house and found him holding two large knives. He was abusive towards the police, who were also told the man’s sister was hiding from him in a bedroom. CIRT members surrounded the property and negotiated with the man, which ended with his peaceful surrender and no injuries.