Contact Teams are composed of law enforcement officers and perform security work in the Hot, Warm, and Cold Zones. They report to the Tactical Group Supervisor.
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Glossary
October 15, 2026 • 1 min read
Contact Team
Definition
In an active shooter incident, a group of law enforcement officers, formed as a team, focused on security work.
Official Definition
Source: Active Shooter Incident Management: Instructor Guide, C3 Pathways, Inc., 2026.
Discussion
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Lead Instructor
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Frequently Asked Questions
It performs security work. The team locates and stops the threat(s), secures areas where medical teams operate, performs clearing and other assigned security missions.
The size of the team varies based on asset availability and the task assigned. Contact Teams commonly consist of two to four officers.
Contact Teams report to the Tactical Group Supervisor.
All three: Hot, Warm, and Cold.
Rescue Task Forces are assigned a medical mission. Contact Teams perform tasks related to security.
Yes. This commonly occurs when the first arriving officer conducts a solo entry or when resources are scarce. The assumption is that a Contact Team of one officer will be plussed up with additional officers as resources arrive.
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