Clark County Sheriff's Department

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

LESSON PLAN
DATE:

September 2003

TITLE:

Mechanical Breaching

TIME:

CLASS:

CLSO In-service Training

GOALS:

Provide in-service training to enhance / update the individual

operators skills in mechanical breaching thus enabling a
positive breach 100 percent of the time in critical operations.

OBJECTIVES:

At the conclusion all operators will be able to:

Describe / perform a mechanical breach utilizing a Sledge Hammer
Describe / perform a mechanical breach utilizing a. Hooligan tool
Describe / perform a mechanical breach utilizing a Ram.
Describe / perform a mechanical breach utilizing Bolt Cutters
Describe / perform a mechanical breach utilizing a Crow Bar.
Describe / perform a mechanical breach utilizing an Automatic Center Punch.
Describe / perform a mechanical breach utilizing Shotgun Breaching
techniques.

INSTRUCTORS:

Lt. Parker

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

USMC Assault Breachers Guidebook.

FBI Basic SWAT Training, Wisconsin, 1999 Hirsch,
2002 Haines, 2003 - Backus
1st. Special Forces SRT / SWAT Training Volk Field, Camp Douglas, WI. 1993
SWAT Managers Seminar, Oct 22-24, 1996 Shakopee, MN International Law
Enforcement Training & Consulting, Inc.

SRT/SWAT Instructional Manual for tactical teams, Steve Matoon 1990

REVISED:

Jeff Parker

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Introduction:
An element during a breach uses speed, surprise and violence of action to
accomplish its mission. Without a successful breach to provide access to a
specific target, there is no entry and no entry means mission failure.
Breaching can be defined as the method by which an entry / special op team
gains access to a target or crisis site.
An analysis was conducted of a survey (High Risk Warrant Service) by NTOA
published in the spring edition of the Tactical Edge 1990. The analysis looked at
approximately 1,200 operations. That article contains a summery of the
information found and what the results were in terms of obstacles observed /
encountered in and around crisis sites where breaching occurred.
A breacher, team leader, and any other essential personnel should conduct a
scouting mission to observe the target location as part of the planning process.
A breachers knowledge of mechanical breaching and the ability to apply that
knowledge to penetrate any target encountered makes the breacher a critical
member of a team. One could argue the most important team member.
1. The mission of the breacher is to recognize, analyze, and breach.
o Recognize - The breacher must recognize:
1. Potential entry points
2. Potential danger areas
o Analyze - the breacher must analyze to:
1. Determine which potential entry points would make the best
primary and alternate breach points.
2. Determine the best primary breaching method / technique to use
for the primary, alternate, and unknown breach points.
3. Determine the best secondary breaching methods / techniques
to use for the primary, alternate, and unknown breach points.
o Breach - provide positive, safe, entry for the team with minimal time on
target where the team is exposed.

Jeff Parker

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LESSON PLAN
HISTORY:
The early use of explosive entry was developed for hostage rescues and situation
where armed suspects were believed to be barricaded. One of the first
documented uses of this concept was by the Los Angles Police Department in
December 1969, after three LAPD officers were shot by barricaded militants. No
injuries result from the use of the explosive charge, which caused a large hole to
be breached in the ceiling and resulted in the surrender of the heavily armed
suspect.

Training:
Breacher training is covered only generally in basic swat training. Specific skills
and techniques in the art of breaching are not covered in the depth necessary to
provide the critical skills needed. Most training is covered in-house and is informal
in nature and usually not very well documented.
Breaching can involve a single operator or a two man team. What determines this
is the technique used, the tools involved and the number of operators available.

Breachers responsibility in planning:

A breachers responsibility in planning will vary from team to team. In all cases it
is very important that the team leader and the primary breacher work together to
formulate the breach plan.
Many of the planning considerations covered in this block of instruction may seem
to be the responsibility of the team leaders. But no matter who is responsible, the
primary breacher needs to ensure all planning considerations are completed
because they impact directly on the success of the breach planning and mission
outcome.

Planning Phase The primary breacher will normally be responsible to the

team leader for completing the following tasks during the planning phase:

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? Accessing all intelligence information available on potential breach points.
? Assisting the command element in selecting the best method of entry
(mechanical, shotgun, ect.)
? Assembling and preparing tools and equipment and diversionary devices.
? Initiating a breaching report.
? Briefing team members.
? Rehearsing (if time permits).
Deliberated Planning:
Deliberate planning refers to a planning process for anticipated situations involving
the deployment of resources expected to be available. The time factor is not
usually a concern. Deliberate planning begins prior to a team being tasked with a
mission.
Deliberate planning for the breacher consists of writing standard operating
procedures (SOP). Team SOPs greatly facilitate the mission planning and
preparation process and allow the breacher to quickly accommodate the common
aspects of every mission. Team SOPs are the cornerstone of rapid response
operations. This makes SOPs that are well throughout in advance, practiced,
rehearsed, and thoroughly known by all players a necessity for accomplishing,
time sensitive planning for the breacher. SOPs may vary from team to team;
items that affect breaching and that should be addressed include, but are not
limited to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Equipment lists
Ammunition Breakout
Ammunition Safety
Personnel Assignments
Intelligence Requirements Essential Elements of Information (EEI)
Compromise Procedures
Command and Signal

The above list is not all inclusive. Everything that can be planned for or
anticipated should be incorporate in the Team SOP.

Jeff Parker

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LESSON PLAN
Crisis Planning
Crisis planning is conducted upon receipt of a mission or op plan. The team may
have only an hour or less to plan and prepare before they are required to execute
a mission.
The planning process itself must be rehearsed. Traditionally, 50% of available
time is allocated to plan and prepare for a mission. This is of course when we
know about the mission in advance. Crisis planning for the breacher consists of
the following:
1. Determining the primary and alternate breach points
2. Determine the primary breaching methods for the primary and alternate
breach points
3. Determine the secondary breaching method for the primary and alternate
breach points
4. Planning for the what ifs.

Primary and Alternate Breach Points

The team leader / commander and any other essential personnel will assemble
and analyze all available information, data, and intelligence pertaining to the
intended target. This involves examining the design, construction, and material
makeup of the target to determine the best primary and alternate breach points.
Tactical considerations also play a significant role in this analysis. Tactics to be
employed may dictate or rule out specific entry points.
The following represents some of the EEIs required to select a primary and
alternate breach point:
1. What type of mission is it?
2. Are drawings (blueprints) available of the target? (Is tactical diagramming
an option)
3. Are photographs available of the target?
4. Where are the scout / containment personnel located in relation to the
target?

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5. Can the scout / containment personnel give a detailed description of the
target?
6. Is there any intelligence available from the occupants / neighbors /
agency personnel that have been there before?
7. Is the target a crisis or non-crisis breach? ( A crisis breach is a situation
where there are friendly personnel / victims / hostages inside the target)
8. If it is a crisis breach, is the location of the friendly personnel / victims /
hostages known?
9. What is the distance from the LCC to potential breach points?
10. What type of shielding / cover / concealment is available at the
potential breach points?
11. How close can the entry team be positioned to the potential breach
points (explosive breaching)?
12. Does the required speed of entry overcome the danger the entry team
is exposed to due to close positioning?
13. Do drawings of the target (if available) include gas lines, power lines,
plumbing, and other similar hazards?
14. What is on the crisis side of the potential breach points (barricades,
IEDs, booby traps)?
15. Is there any history regarding the use of IEDs or booby traps?
16. Any children or elderly persons on site?
17. Dogs, Fences, Counter surveillance, Geographic barriers?
These are some of the questions that need to be addressed when planning the
type of breach.
In addition the following information should have been collected:

Police Scout Checklist

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Jeff Parker

Size & type of windows.

Are windows barred, alarmed, screened, dual pane, wired, etc..
Size & type of doors (open in or out)
Utility & phone shut-off locations.
Location of bathrooms (vents / windows).
Exterior lighting conditions.
Location for diversions.

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8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.

Location for announcements.

Locations for chemical agent use.
Possible hostile neighbor location(s).
Potential hazards (fences, dogs, ect.).
Locations requiring evacuation.
Description of adjacent buildings.
Best approach route & alternative (covered & concealed)
Exit points for suspects.
Evacuation routes for injured civilians or team members
Note line of compromised authority.
Suggested sniper vantage-points.
Breach & entry points & alternatives.
Locations for inner perimeter personnel.
Specific address & description.
Staging area for team & CP Location.
Accurate sketch (to scale).

Breaching Techniques
Mechanical Breaching:
The nature of a particular mission or target may make one or more form of
breaching technique inappropriate or impossible. Mechanical entry means can be
used effectively when used as a diversion. In theory, the breacher is only limited
by his / her imagination when it comes to selecting from the universe of hand tools
available to effect mechanical breaches.

Targets:
Mechanical breaching targets are basically the same as those that by be attacked
using explosives. These include windows, walls, roofs, and floors of buildings as
well as vehicles. Application of mechanical techniques is limited by the hardness
of a particular target and the teams load carrying capacity (most tools are heavy
and somewhat bulky or awkward to carry). Additionally, tool use requires time on
target which may compromise a teams mission and puts them at risk. Normally

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we will focus on doors as our main breach point. As such it is more expected and
thus more hazardous.

General Employment:
Each mechanical breaching tool has its own unique means or technique of
achieving target damage and / or entry. In some cases prior to entering any target
after a successful mechanical breach, it is (depending upon the circumstances
and hazards present) recommended that a diversionary device be employed.
Employment techniques and feature of individual tools are covered in the following
material.

Sledge Hammer
There are two types of sledge hammers generally used. One has a double face
steel head weighing 10 pounds and an unbreakable fibreglasse handle 30 inches
long. The other is a double faced steel head weighing 2.5 pounds and fiberglass
handle 12 inches long. (See figure 1)
1. to employ the sledge hammer on inward opening doors, the operator
stands on the hinge side of the door and strikes the door directly above
the door knob (figure 2)
2. If you encounter a door with both a deadbolt and a doorknob strike the
door between the two locking mechanisms (figure 3)
3. Do not attempt to strike the doorknob. Hitting the doorknob could cause
the throw mechanism to get stuck in the door jamb ( mainly a concern on
metal doors with metal frames)
4. The sledge hammer is easy to use, is widely available, and is almost
indestructible. Unfortunately, it is also heavy, usually requires multiple
hits and time on target, and is not effective on outward opening doors.

Hooligan Tool
The hooligan tool is a very versatile tool that combines the qualities of several
different tools and is available in various lengths and weights. The hooligan tool is
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made of heat treated high alloy steel. It is usually 30 inches long, 1 inch in
diameter and weighs 10 pounds. All parts of the hooligan should be welded in
place and not pinned. The parts of the hooligan are the duck bill, pick or spike, flat
head and standard claw, each of which is describe below. (Figure 4)
? Duck Bill. The duck bill consists of a long smooth incline approximately 6
inches long and two inches wide. It is curved like the natural curve of the
palm of the hand for ease of insertion. It is used to pry out door frames and
window frames.
? Pick or Spike. The pick or spike is six inches long and tapers down from
about one inch to a point and is slightly curved. It is made to be inserted into
locks and latches without slipping out. Especially car trunks and door locks.
? Flat head. The flat head is a large flat pounding surface similar to a sledge
hammer. It can be used in place of a sledge hammer in some instances.
? Standard Claw. The standard claw is a long wide claw that is gently curved
and sharpened. It is sharpened for ease of insertion into door jambs, ect. It
has a slotted claw to fit hasps, locks, latches, and fuel shutoffs. The
standard claw is designed not to stick when force is applied.

Employment the Hooligan Tool

The hooligan tools various parts allow it to be used for many different tasks. Its
most common use in breaching is to open doors or windows. Unlike the sledge
hammer, the hooligan tool can be employed successfully against inward or
outward opening doors.
To employ against inward opening doors the following procedures are to be
followed: (Figure 5)
? Hooligan man inserts the duck bill into the door jamb directly above the
locking mechanism.
? Another team member forces the tool deeper by hitting the flat head
with a sledge hammer.
? The hooligan man then leans forward into the tool to force the door
open.

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To employ against outward opening doors the following procedures are to
be followed: (Figure 6)
? Hooligan man inserts the duck bill in the door jam directly above the
locking mechanism.
? Another team member forces the tool deeper by hitting the flat head
with a sledge hammer.
? The hooligan man then pulls the tool back to force the door open.
To employ against windows use the break and rake technique (Figure 7)
? Hooligan man smashed through the upper left or right hand corner of the
window with the flat head or claw end.
? Keeping the tool directly in contact with the window frame, he pulls the
tool down the left or right edge of the window.
? Keeping the tool in direct contact with the window frame, he pulls the tool
across the bottom edge of the window.
? Keeping the tool in direct contact with the window frame, he pushes the
tool up to the left or right edge of the window.

Hooligan tool employed against windows pushing the mullions

? Hooligan man uses the flat portion of the duckbill, and strikes the mullion
(the part of a double hung window where the two windows overlap) as
close to the window tracking as possible on either the right or left side of
the window (depending on the approach of the team).
? He strikes hard enough to push the window out of the tracking.
? The procedure is repeated on the other side of the window until the
window is removed.

Hooligan tool Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantages of having a multipurpose tool like the hooligan is that it can do
away with the need for may separate tools, and is still easy to operate. Like most

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mechanical tools, it does require time on target, and the sharp points and edges
may present a hazard to the user and other team members.

Battering Ram (aka RAM)

There are many types of Battering Rams available, from vehicle mounted to one
man battering rams. Most Battering rams are bulky. The preferred ram is a one man battering ram that is 30 inches long, weighs 35 pounds and impacts with over
14,000 pounds of kinetic energy. Most rams have two hand holds. The ram can
be employed against both the hinge and lock side of inward opening doors. It is
also very effective against doors with drop bars and dead-man type locking
mechanisms. (Figure 9)
To employ the RAM, hold it by the handles and swing the ram either underhanded
(figure 10) or side arm (figure 11), and Strike the door directly above the locking
mechanism.
Although a valuable breaching tool, the battering ram has two main
disadvantages; its weight and the transportability of the tool.

Bolt Cutters:
Bolt cutters are manufactured in various lengths, weights, jaw hardness, and jaw
shapes (straight or diagonal). There are two commonly found bolt cutter sizes in
tactical operations. One is 36 inches long with diagonal jaws the other is 14
inches long with straight jaws. (Figure 12)
During employment, bolt cutters are used like a pair of pliers. The item to be cut is
placed as far back as possible in the jaws for maximum cutting, and the handles
are drawn together to cut the item. The size of the bold cutters is chosen in
accordance with the size of the item to be cut. Ticker, heavier items will require
more leverage and the large bolt cutter should be used; while small thin items can
be better handled with the small bolt cutters. Bolt cutters can be used against a
wide variety of targets such a padlocks, chains, fences, cables, and wire.

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The bolt cutter gives the team an advantage in the ability to quickly cut locks or
chains that may prevent entry. They are also very effective against fences and
wire that may be encountered while in transit to the objective. The main
disadvantage to using the larger bolt cutters over the small bolt cutter is that they
are heavy and bulky to carry, and they need a larger operating area.

Crowbar:
The crowbar is used for prying open doors, windows, cabinets, and chest or floor
boards. The crowbars main advantages are that it is lightweight, easy to carry,
and virtually indestructible. It can also be very effective against light to medium
targets. The only disadvantage is the multipurpose tools, such as the hooligan,
can be used for the same function and more. (Figure 13)

Automatic Center Punch:

The automatic center punch is about 6 inches long. It is constructed of brass and
steel. One end has a point; the other is blunt. The automatic center punch is
designed to mark metal and other material with out the use of a hammer. The
punch uses a series of heavy springs to drive the point. The springs are put under
tension as the punch is pushed against the material to be marked. After the
springs are compressed a given distance, they release and drive a metal rod into
the back of the point marking the material. (Figure 14)
The automatic center punch is used to break car windows and plate glass by
putting the point in the lower corner of the target glass and pushing until the
window shatters. When this has been done, the rake and break technique is used
to complete the job. The automatic center punch is a small lightweight tool that
can be carried in a pocket or pouch, without adding much weight or taking up
valuable room. Its only disadvantage is that it will not work on Plexiglas or Lexan.

Shotgun Breaching:
Shotgun breaching should be reserved as a secondary method of breaching and
for any unforeseen circumstances the breach team may encounter. For these
reasons, shotgun breaching should be incorporated into the breaching plan.
Jeff Parker

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LESSON PLAN
Breaching Shotguns:
Any pump action shotgun can be used for breaching, although some are more
practical than others due to certain characteristics and availability. The most
common shotguns found is law enforcement arsenals are the Remington 870,
Mossberg 500, and the Winchester 1200.

Characteristics of breaching shotguns.

Breaching shotguns should have a short overall length (for use in confined
spaces), but still maintain a high magazine capacity; they should be pump action
for simplicity and ease of training; they should be a standard gage (12 gage) and
readily accept available ammunition; and they should be easily maintained at the
user level. Although there are many exoticshotguns on the open market, most
are very expensive to purchase and repair and are thus not practical for breaching
purposes.

Employment:

Standoff:
The generally recommended stand-off when employing the shotgun is 2 inches.
Round Placement;
Round placement is critical, when choosing an attack point, chose the side with
the least amount of attachment points; Plan on two shots per target. Most locking
mechanisms will be defeated on the first shot. Always be prepared just in case
the door does not open.

Door Locks.
For door locks and deadbolts, aim between the locking mechanism and jam. This
is illustrated in figure 15.
Jeff Parker

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Hinges:
For hinges, aim at a 45 degree angle from the door toward the jam, with the
weapon level with the hinges. This is illustrated in figure 16.

Techniques:
Get level with the target. An angled weapon tends to fire over or under the locking
mechanism; therefore, always level your weapon with the target.
Angle the muzzle slightly towards the jamb. On wood frame doors, angle the
muzzle of the weapon towards the jamb. This allows the round to remove the
locking mechanism and a portion of the jamb. Angling the muzzle in illustrated in
figure 17.
Do not use the weapons sights. If the weapon you are using for breaching is
equipped with a sight do not use it. Instead, watch the muzzle as it approached
the target. If you use a sight you will fire under the target.
It is advisable to train with the load that you will be using to ensure familiarity,
function, and that it will perform as expected.
This information is not all inclusive in regard to breaching. It is what I have
learned from my research and should not be used as a substitute for qualified
training.
Any questions??
Next Project - Explosive Breaching:

Jeff Parker

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