Thanks for the feedback. Street cop improvisation, hmm! Street tactics, fight dirty. I have no real specifics, only things you could try.
So a narrow approach, angular pie, segmented search, minimal exposure, clearing presenting corners, barricade clearance, slow and methodical subacute observation, target isolation and target detection. You want to basically pie it all the way without a dynamic entry unless the situation asks for it? Dramatikk mentioned some good dynamic drills, you can use them for going UP or DOWN. It's all about method of entry and adjusting it for you.
The technicalities of assault:
- Stairs are low, you have to get lower. Change height level, hip level and muzzle/head level. This sounds random but has anyone ever tried crawling down stairs in this situation?
- Stair treads are small in width, you have to have a good foot-hold and stance to get lower in a stable platform (which may sacrifice adjustability or maneuver).
- Angles; It is a curved stair-case meaning you have to constantly assess the angles in front and behind. There are many gaps between the treads and railings in this type of stair-case. You should be stopping and scanning until the dynamic-mode hits go. A coverman, as you stated, is a good idea - especially if he or she adjusts position to cover your weak angles.
- Exterior angles; Can a buddy out-flank, peek through another window or opening to get a view?
- Visual field P1; Assess whether the suspect can see you from the landing or riser (both the same thing!). This is your most stable platform, if you are hit here and don't go forward you could be recovered. If you go forward down the stairs then it's a fight-or-die scenario. This opportunity is best for a break contact.
- Light; Does the suspect have natural night vision? Do you? (see here:
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=844&p=4730 and
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=711).
- Compromise; What will give away my position? Noise, light, visuals. Do I want to remain hidden (stealth) or not?
- Visual field P2; You can always use mirrors and reflective objects.
- The suspect; How close is he? Have you identified his location? Weigh up those checks and balances:- If he is close then dynamic is more applicable to take-out the threat. If he was further away, plausably barricaded then he could maintain his defensive turtle-shell outlook. Know him - he is a thief, is he armed? What does he look like? This will help in recognition.
- Firepower; As Dramatikk says, firepower is preventing casualties, can you afford to engage as you move? What is your ROE? Can you engage unknown or possible locations? But most of all, are you really ready to engage that threat, put down a good rate of fire, flanking fire and work as a team layering fire and interlocking it.
- Domination; Take control, take the aggression - you can show this in many ways such as mentioned above, firepower, and mentioned below, mental preparation. It also helps to dominate the scene, not just the individual (scene management).
- Mental preparation; Does shooting as I run down convey me as prey rather than a hunter? If you do it, make sure it's done in a 'manly' fashion. Prepare yourself to willingly participate in a risky maneuver.
- MOE; you can always breach the lower walls or ceiling above. It's a 3D world! Some Mexican SWAT/Military-mixed team spent 6 months digging a tunnel to rescue hostages, just putting it out there.
- Weapon; You own and use a pistol, it is a great for maneuverability and convenience. The problem for it is with a longer approach where accuracy and magazine count is needed. For this situation, a pistol will work just fine.
- Ignorance; Ignore all the "cons" and just go for it. It may 'ease' your mind from examining all the 'tactical wrongs', but it may seize the situation.
Using your resources:
- 4-5 Officers, I guess all with pistols and magazines. If you are in unit-cohesions you should be able to share ammunition, if not then that's a prolonged firefight problem. If you have a mixture of weaponry then pick the best role for each.
- Tactical cohesion; Do they understand the tactics you have learnt or been taught? Can you work with them on these for this situation?
- Buddy up; Buddy pairs are better than going solo. I'd try a few tricks:- Back-to-back (which protects frontal and rear arcs, can easily adjust to flanks) or try squeeze it as close as you can side-to-side or just off-set from each other ready for contact. Keep testing these theories and see where you can make it work.
- "Call Out"; Psyche them out, call them to give up!
- Spacing; Should you space out the formation or stick together like a train?
- Negotiation; What can I offer you? Except for my 9mm in your brain cavity.
The technicalities of defense:
- Entry and exits; Do you have most of the exits and entry points covered? If this stair-well is the only one that you KNOW of then you have an option to cover it and call for back-up. Area containment and security, very valuable to you as a Patrol Officer. This creates a better span of control for you and others.
- Suspect; He or she will take up a part of that room, you have to isolate and detect that specific area. Understand their mobility capabilities and where they can go. It's like playing a game of Risk. If they are in fear they will probably camp in a corner or behind a barricade, anywhere that gives their rabbit eyes a view of your entry point.
- Evacuation; Get the civilians out of there, out of any secured path of movement you have.
Hope this helps, please give us feedback. If you find a good way we'd love to hear about it.