THE SUCCESS OF SPECIAL INTERVENTION OPERATIONS AT THE SCENE OF A HIGH-RISK EMERGENCY, SUCH AS A HOSTAGE-TAKING, OFTEN DEPENDS ON THE ACTIONS OF THE PATROL OFFICER WHO RESPONDS FIRST. BY PROPERLY CONTAINING THE INCIDENT, REPORTING THE KNOWN FACTS OF THE CRIME, AND ESTABLISHING AN INNER PERIMETER TO PREVENT CRIMINAL ESCAPE, PATROL OFFICERS PREPARE THE WAY FOR SPECIAL TEAM MEMBERS. PATROL OFFICER KNOWLEDGE OF THE OPERATIONS, TRAINING, AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS OF SPECIAL TEAMS IMPROVES THE OVERALL POLICE RESPONSE TO HIGH-RISK EMERGENCIES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)