Flippo, Daniel
Command and Control Leadership and Decision-Making: A Review of a Fatal OIS Ambush in 2020

On June 6th, 2020, Air Force Sergeant Steven Carillo ambushed multiple Sheriff's Deputies investigating a suspicious abandoned vehicle. The suspect assaulted deputies with a high volume of gunfire from a concealed and elevated position. The suspect attacked other deputies, California Highway Patrol Officers, and an ambulance crew with gunfire and pipe bombs. Killed within moments of the ambush was Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller. Estimates indicate over 200 officers responded to the scene, including seven SWAT teams and multiple bomb squads. This presentation will examine the leadership challenges and decisions within the first few minutes and the next 24 hours of the event. A review of the incident will help the attendees identify predictable problems when a multijurisdictional response to an event like this occurs. A review of this event will also identify key leadership roles and actions that must be accomplished to reduce the chaos and achieve a focus of effort for personnel on the scene.

Daniel Flippo - Bio
Dan Flippo served with the Santa Cruz Police Department for over 29 years, retiring as the Deputy Chief in 2020. He served in various assignments to include patrol, special unit supervisor, and Deputy Chief of Police, for four years. Dan was one of the original members of the department's Tactical Team. He is a use of force instructor and specializes in Unified Command and Critical Incident Management, Active Shooter Response, and patrol level tactical operations and response to in-progress calls for service.