What is the recommended minimum number of officers that should enter and clear a room?

The recommended minimum number of officers that should enter and clear a room is two. This practice is rooted in both safety and effectiveness during potentially dangerous situations, such as an active shooter incident. When two officers enter a room together, they can provide mutual support and cover for one another. This teamwork allows for better communication and the ability to react quickly to unexpected threats.

Additionally, having two officers improves the responsiveness to dynamic situations. One officer can focus on engaging a threat while the other can provide cover, protect civilians, or prepare to offer assistance. This approach enhances situational awareness, as both officers can monitor different areas and angles within the room, significantly increasing their chances of ensuring the safety of innocent bystanders and neutralizing any threats more effectively.

In contrast, deploying only one officer to clear a room presents higher risks, as they may not be able to handle a sudden confrontation or may miss critical threats without the support of a partner. The tactic of entering with a minimum of two officers has been widely adopted in tactical training and guidelines, emphasizing the importance of teamwork for optimal incident response.