Brussels, Belgium shootout, march 15-2016.

[ChrisV]

Tuesday around noon four investigators of the federal police terrorism section, accompanied by two French investigators, were planning to investigate an address in the Brussels suburb of Vors (Forest).
They intended to visit an appartment of on the fourt floor of an appartment regarding the possibility of there being apparatus to make fake passports. No electricity nor running water so they thought it was abandoned. The moment they want to enter two men open fire. One with an AK, the second with a shotgun.
Three officers (one of them a Frenchman) are injured. One officers'S&W M&P has part of the trigger and trigger guard blown off.
Several tactical units are called in and a large perimeter is set up.
Around 15:20H shots are fired again from within the house. One officer catches a round inside his helmet.
Around 18:00H a sniper sees a guy inside the appartment with an AK, moving to geta shot on officers in the street. The sniper kills him. The house is assaulted. One dead terrorist, a AK, around 11 AK mags, muslim boks and a ISIS flag are found.
Once the target building is cleared tactical teams start searching every house in the neighbourhood. During that search another AK and magazines are found.
Tw people get arrested but have recenlty been released. Two or more terrorists are on the run; having escaped during the initial shootout, before a perimeter was established.

Involved units:
-Federal Police DSU (equivalent of FBI HRT, national CT unit).
-Brussels Capitol City PD BAA/AOB (Swat).
-Brussels Midi PAB (Swat).
-Federal Judicial Police Terror section.
-Federal Police Air Support Unit.
-Army E.O.D.

 

[aadrian82]

Jesus, what is the equipment status of police over there? Do they have vests, medical kits and training, rifles? Shit seems to be ramping up, I hope cops everywhere are equipped with what they need.

 

[ChrisV]

All depends on the department/unit.
DSU has SCARs, Glocks, ...Pretty much anything they like.
Our local swat uses the S&W M&P 9, HK UMP9 and the Steyr Aug in 9 and 5.56.
Brussels PD patrol uses either S&W M&P9 or FN BHP. Basic amount of ammo for a BHP-carrying officer is 24 rounds. Some Steyr Augs in 9mm are used but mostly for static protection. No rifles on patrol.
Every officer has a soft armor vest (3A+). Hard armor is either for the high speed guys or a private purchase. IFAK's are issued to swat and CT. Not patrol. But Brussels PD is setting up first aid and TCCC training as we speak.

 

[JRW]

Chris,

Are the call outs becoming a regular duty? What advise or knowledge can you share for the patrol officer to be ready for these events?

 

[ChrisV]

JRW,
pm sent.