California law allows breaking a door or window to gain entry while serving a search/arrest warrant if denied entry. This author feels safe to assume this is standard throughout the rest of the United States.

AS A DIVERSION:

This technique has two purposes:

1.  To draw the attention away from the point of entry (POE). Most entries are made through the front door. Most suspects are well aware of this. Therefore, a break-and-rake on the bathroom, kitchen or bedroom window will help to divert the suspect’s attention away from the POE. Not only does it make this technique safer for the entry team, it also may help prevent the suspect from destroying evidence.

2.  To stop and control a suspect from attempting to arm themselves against the entry team. I have personally witnessed this several times. During one such event, the suspect was shot by the cover officer of one of the break-and- rake teams at the same time the suspect was shooting at another break-and-rake team. I have managed to freeze suspects who were attempting to arm themselves at several different search/arrest warrant locations.

If you are authorized to use a flash bang or a CO2 fire extinguisher, you will most likely find either of these implements highly useful in diverting the suspect’s attention away from confronting the entry team.

TECHNIQUE:

The break-and-rake is executed by two officers. One is the BREAKER, the other is the COVER officer. I recommend a three to four foot length crowbar as the tool of choice for breaking the windows. The reason for this is that the curtains can be moved aside with the hook end of the crowbar after the break. This will help prevent officers from being cut on any glass that might be remaining in the window frame. The same applies to the cover officer. By not allowing the cover officer’s weapon to go past the window pane, both the chance of injury as well as the possibility of the suspect grabbing the cover officer’s weapon are greatly reduced. This scenario occurred during an incident that one of my department’s senior SWAT officers responded to.

The fact that he had a three point sling on his MP-5 prevented the suspect from taking the weapon away, and the officer was able to gain control of the suspect. Had the officer been using a pistol, the outcome might have been tragic for both of the responding officers.

The BREAKER should use a good, firm baseball bat grip on the crow bar. Do not choke up on the tool (too high on the tool). The BREAKER officer should strike the upper left-or-right-hand corner of the window, and then rotate the tool in a circular motion only to clear enough of the glass to reach in with the tool and pull the curtain away or out of the window. This should afford the COVER officer a clear and unobstructed view of the room.

Once the BREAKER officer has done this, the COVER officer will clear the room with a pie technique or any method that is applicable for the tactical situation.

It is important to remember not to go past the window pane. The COVER officer will cover (point) the BREAKER to the objective and stay far enough away so as not to be hit by the BREAKER’S crow bar while he/she is breaking the window.

BREAK-AND-RAKE FOR WINDOW ENTRY:

Clearing the window is the same. Since the officers are to make entry through the window, it is advisable to use a flash bang if possible. Unfortunately most narcotic teams are not allowed to use them. The exception would be if your department has a part time SWAT team and some of those officers are working narcotics.

The BREAKER MUST clear all the glass from the initial break if shards remain (old style window). If it is safety glass, the glass will break into small pieces, and not large shards.

Make sure the window is large enough to have the COVER officer cover the first officer to enter through the window. The first officer can then cover the other officers making entry. This is one variation; it is up to the team to decide which will work best for them.

I do not recommend going through a 36" by 36" window unless it is the only alternative and it is a must   to make the entry (emergency entry).

This size window is very difficult to climb through because of your gear. Your body and equipment would take up all the area of this window preventing the COVER officer covering the entry. If you are carrying an MP-5 M-4 etc. it is recommended that you go through the window with the under arm assault technique, safety off, finger away from the trigger. Once inside you can put the safety back on. If a pistol is used, you can use the close contact technique. Once again, these are variations, which one you choose to employ depends upon what works best for your team for each individual situation.

SLIDING GLASS DOOR ENTRY:

The BREAKER should strike the upper right-or-left-hand corner (same as the window technique). If the sliding glass door is safety glass, the glass will fall harmlessly to the floor. If it is old style, you will have to clear ALL the shards of glass before making entry. Once you step through the pane, take high steps so you do not slip on the glass if there is a hard surface floor (tile). Once past the glass, resume your normal walking.

What I like about this technique is that it is simple and you do NOT lose your shooting platform at the POE.

SECOND STORY WINDOW ENTRY:

The most effective entry method is to use three ladders. Make sure you scout the POE well to determine the correct size ladders needed and if there is enough ground room for the ladders. Use ladder holders to keep the ladders from losing their footing. Place a ladder on each side of the window and one at the middle. The left ladder will hold the BREAKER and the right ladder will hold the COVER officer. The middle ladder is for the entry team. Experiment with this technique. If you want to flood the room quickly ,use all of the ladders for the entry.

What I like about this technique is that the suspects do not expect you to make entry this way. You catch them by surprise, therefore avoiding an OIS (Officer Involved Shooting).  This makes it much safer for everyone including the suspects and innocent civilians living in the neighborhood.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

1.  The BREAKER must have eye protection and heavy-duty gloves. This is a must. As a matter of SOP, all officers should have eye and hand protection.

2.  Do not go past the window pane with your weapon or breaking tool. Scout the location well, so you do not have any surprises waiting for you. If making a window entry, make sure the window is big enough to climb through with proper cover.

3.  Always strike the window at the corner, if you do not and the window is Plexiglas, the tool will bounce off the glass and hit the BREAKER.

 This article is the result of twenty-five years of my and other officer’s experiences with executing search/arrest warrants. I want to make this perfectly clear; this article is comprised of techniques that have worked for me  and the men and women of our department.

My experience has taught me that there are always other ways to achieve your objective. If you come up with techniques that you feel are superior to these suggested techniques, please contact me. I am always looking for alternative ways to execute safer search/arrest warrants.

I hope this article will assist you in serving safer search/arrest warrants. Feel free to contact me if you need assistance  or call me direct at (562) 754-3214.

Be safe and watch your six.