Sound Doctrine: A Tactical Primer
Charles “Sid” Heal

Although we don't usually think of law enforcement tactical operations as war, they share many of the same attributes. For example, both law enforcement and military operations are attempts at attaining or restoring social harmony and both attempt to impose the will of a tactical commander on an adversary. In the free world, both exist and serve at the pleasure of the citizenry and as such are subject to political, social, and moral constraints. Undeniably, both types of operations are subject to criticism by well-meaning, but uninformed and inexperience, people who sincerely believe their proposals are at least as sound as the tactical commander's.

If we can acept that both these types of operations share many of the same characteristics, we may also presume that the fundamental principles that govern one are applicable to the other. This presumption is particularly significant since, while an immense library of research and documentation is available for a student of military science, relatively little is available for a student of law enforcement tactics. What has been written for law enforcement seldom deals with any underlying principles, but instead describes techniques and methods that have proven useful in past operations.

It is here we become aware of an immense incongruity. While a military commander is required to devote a significant amount of effort to attain the essential knowledge and skills to manage tactical situations, it is not expected of a law enforcement officer. This is in spite of the fact that the situations encountered in law enforcement occur more frequently and are just as life threatening. In fact, a law enforcement commander may even be criticized for devoting too much time and energy to a discipline regarded, at best, as only marginally related to law enforcement. This has resulted in failures of law enforcement tactical operations of unprecedented magnitude.

This book addresses three predominant issues. The first concerns whether good tactics are an art of a science. This is more important than you might at first think. If tactics are an art, then the qualities needed for success will be naturally endowed. If they are a science, however, then there are principles that can be learned and applied. Depending on which you considered to be the case, therefore, tactical commanders would be selected either because of talent and natural ability or their knowledge and experience.

The second issue is whether there are common elements in all situations that require a tactical intervention. If there are, then basic assumptions and fundamental principles can be developed and incorporated into a tactical plan. Not only would this greatly simplify the process, but it would provide a common understanding of how to deal wih these complex problems. These principles can then provide a handle to quickly grasp and manage tactical intervention strategies. The last issue attempts to identify those fundamental functions that must work in order for a plan to succeed. Like the first problem, this one is much more important and complicated than it might at first seem, since it attempts to answer the questions, "Is there a right way to do these things?" and, "When should we do them?" The questions have universal application in that they apply to everything from gathering and evaluating intelligence to formulating and implementing an effective strategy.

The information presented in this book is not merely a condensed version of the more than ninety tactical texts from which it is derived. The teachings presented here have withstood the test of time and trial over the centuries, but are no more reducible to simple understanding than astrophysics or thermodynamics. No "shrink to fit" method could ever adequately describe this rich body of science. Of necessity, some material has had to be summarized, abbreviated, or omitted entirely. Therefore, the methods used more closely resemble a "distillation" process where only the essence of each work is presented.

No military background is necessary and no prior knowledge or understanding is assumed. Accordingly, examples and illustrations are drawn from everyday life and include such common activities as driving, planning a vacation, or playing competitive games. Although it is neither exhaustive nor even comprehensive, the book makes a significant attempt to explore the reasoning and tactical decision-making process. For it is prowess in this field that has the most dramatic impact on successful resolutions for tactical operations.

Have no doubts about it—this is a textbook. It is not intended for leisure or "light reading." It is devoid of sentiment, opinion, and emotion. It is just the hard facts. It is not for the timid or fainthearted, but rather for the serious student of tactics. It describes proven principles (sound doctrine) which can be used to make and implement effective tactical decisions.

The material is annotated and illustrated for clarity, and readers will find specific quotes and subjects references and/or amplified with endnotes. In addition, a comprehensive "concept glossary" is provided as an appendix, with definitions and explanations of concepts and principles. These are the rudiments of "sound doctrine." It is hoped this book will stimulate critical examination and thinking in how best to handle tactical operations. It is only through diligent study that law enforcement tactical deficiencies will be overcome, while mastery of these subjects ultimately calls for a lifetime of scholarly pursuit.

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