The BearCat is essentially a mobile, bullet-resistant shield that can be used to your tactical advantage. It is capable of withstanding a significant amount of gunshots before breaking down, allowing you to safely reposition it to assist with officer deployment and provide effective cover. When used correctly, it can create valuable opportunities for taking space against offenders. The following tips should be followed to maximise its effectiveness:

Using the cover effectively:

• Offenders are often able to see your legs when you are taking cover behind the BearCat. To minimise exposure, you should position yourself on top of the side railings or behind the wheels to ensure your lower body is fully protected. 

• When you step out and take cover behind it, you can safely use the windows to see where suspects are. This lets you take quick peeks and gather information without exposing yourself. 

Utility Usage:

• You can throw flashbangs over the Bearcat or roll them underneath the BearCat to catch suspects by surprise

Deployment:

• Where you are seated inside the BearCat determines where you will exit the vehicle. If you are in the driver or front passenger seat, you will exit from the side you are seated on. However, if you are seated in any of the rear six seats, you will always exit through the back doors. This can be used to your advantage when planning mid-assault deployments and positioning officers effectively. 

Reinforced stops are quick manouvers, performed by 2 vehicles and are an effective way to trap suspects in vehicles, to get an upper hand.

They are most effective when the vehicle of interest does not suspect that they will be performed.

For this manouver you will need:

• 1 vehicle behind the suspect vehicle

• 1 vehicle ahead or on the side of the car, ready to drive in front

To successfully execute a reinforced stop, the following procedure should be followed:

• Prepare for the strike: The vehicle behind should remain behind the suspect's vehicle, providing direction of travel. It should follow without raising suspicion.

• Call the strike: The vehicle behind should announce they are going to hit/push the vehicle. Typically the phrase: "Strike, strike, strike" is used.

• Apply handbrakes: Both the front and back vehicle should apply hand breaks. Some powerful cars may be able to move the vehicles, once TFOs exit.

• Sorround the vehicle: With guns drawn, all officers disembark the vehicle. It's best to spread around the car as much as possible as to prevent the suspects having the ability to dodge for cover behind any angles. Watch for crossfire!

Warning: A suspect running from such a stop, is not necessarily enough of a threat to be eliminated, unless it is known that their escape may result in the gross injury or death of officers or the general public.

Below is an animation, showing an example of a reinforced stop on a T-junction from a birds eye view:

Note: All Tactical Firearms Officers are expected to assist in escorting payload. 

Tactical Firearms Officers, when dispatching alongside a Brute, should not prioritize arriving to the destination as quickly as possible themselves, rather assist the Brute to get there as quick and safe as possible. The same goes for other types of payload escort !!

Exceptions:

• TFOs may break away from an escort if their presence could threaten their safety

• Uniformed TFOs responding to an active situation, especially those in heavy gear, are only expected to escort the Brute

• Uniformed TFOs assigned marksman duties are not expected to escort vehicles

• Uniformed TFOs assigned/responding to incidents not in the same area

What is payload?

Payload refers to any high-priority, emergency vehicle or asset requiring escort/protection. This includes, but is not limited to ambulances, firetrucks, the Brute, the Mayor being transported away from a hostile scene (i.e. assassination attempts, hostile behaviour, threats of harm) and high priority prisoner transport.

Protecting payload by vehicle:

Duties of the involved TFOs are:

• Drivers of the payload:

  • Staying alert for any potential dangers

  • Communicating direction of travel and detours

• Drivers of the lead vehicles:

  • Ensuring the path ahead is safe

  • Alerting of any dangers ahead

  • Ensuring the path is able to be driven through as quick as possible. This is primarily done by blocking lanes ahead

• Drivers of the rear vehicles:

  • Blocking non-emergency vehicles from overtaking

  • Slowing traffic to prevent vehicles following

Protecting payload on foot:

Duties of the involved TFOs are:

• Weapons in passive or active stance depending on the threat level,

• Dispersing crowds to ensure the payload arrives safely, without harm and without disruptions,

• Surrounding the payload to prevent damage,

• Making sure the payload stays in motion,

• Refer to 6 - Situations & Tactics -> Riot Control.