0800-0815 Opening Remarks

0815-0900 Key Note Speaker Colonel Garth Massey

0900-1100 Victoria, British Columbia Bank Robbery and Ambush

 On June 28, 2022, tactical officers with the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team, members of the Saanich Police Department, and multiple supporting police agencies responded to an armed robbery at a central bank in the Capital Region of British Columbia, Canada. Initial reports were confirmed by police observations of two armed suspects inside the bank wearing balaclavas, dressed in body armor, and armed with rifles.  Patrol officers arrived on the scene and initiated hostage-taking procedures. Tactical officers arrived on the scene moments before the suspects exited the bank. An Immediate Action Plan was executed to create separation between the suspects and the hostages, resulting in the death of both suspects. Six tactical officers were shot during the intervention, four of which were critically injured. This debrief will review the patrol response, tactical intervention, medical care, command decisions, and the investigation into this staged bank robbery, which was revealed to be a planned attack against police officers.

1100-1200 Warren County Hostage Rescue

Warren County SWAT team was activated when an escaped inmate was found at a local hotel with an unknown female. The incident quickly escalated into a hostage situation when undercover detectives attempted to arrest the inmate. Once SWAT arrived on the scene, they started negotiations with the suspect. Hours into the standoff, a Facebook Live video surfaced showing the suspect holding a knife to the hostage's neck. SWAT determined it was time to make entry and rescue the hostage. The team utilized two explosives and one mechanical breach point to access the barricaded hotel room. During the rescue, the inmate grabbed the female as he was raising the knife to her throat. The first operator in the room fired one shot, striking the suspect in the face, taking his life and saving the life of the hostage.

1200-1300 Lunch

1300-1400  Warren County Hostage Rescue Continued

1410-1600 Manhunt for Danelo Cavalcante: A Multi-Agency Response to a High-Risk Fugitive Search

In September 2023, law enforcement agencies from across the nation converged on Chester County, Pennsylvania, to track and capture convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante. Led by the Pennsylvania State Police, this complex and high-risk manhunt showcased the critical role of interagency collaboration in modern law enforcement operations.

This presentation will provide an in-depth look at the tactical response, search methodologies, and technological assets deployed during the search. Representatives from the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), will share insights on:

• Multi-agency coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement to enhance operational efficiency and officer safety.
• Tracking and tactical response methods employed by BORTAC agents and their specialized human-tracking expertise across various terrains.
• Technology integration in search operations, including night vision, unmanned aircraft systems, and interagency communication capabilities.
• Lessons learned from the operation and strategies for improving future law enforcement collaboration in fugitive apprehensions.

This case study will highlight the execution of a multi-agency manhunt, demonstrating the value of unified strategy, rapid deployment, and advanced tracking techniques in bringing high-risk fugitives to justice while ensuring the safety of officers and the public.

Note Taking Material