Policy Text
Policy
408Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentResponse to Bomb Calls - 1Response to Bomb Calls
408.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines to assist members of the Garden Grove Police
Department in their initial response to incidents involving explosives, explosive devices, explosion/
bombing incidents or threats of such incidents. Under no circumstances should these guidelines
be interpreted as compromising the safety of first responders or the public. When confronted with
an incident involving explosives, safety should always be the primary consideration.
408.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Garden Grove Police Department to place a higher priority on the safety of
persons and the public over damage or destruction to public or private property.
408.3 ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S BOMB DISPOSAL UNIT
The Orange County Sheriff's Bomb Disposal Unit consists of specially trained personnel who
are available to assist whenever a suspected explosive device is located. Their expertise is also
available to assist with a post explosion investigation. The unit is equipped with the necessary
bomb disposal equipment including such items as a trailer equipped with a receptacle for
containing, muting, and deflecting a bomb blast, a bomb blanket, rope, non-magnetic hand tools
with extended handles, a bomb shield mounted to allow for easy mobility, sandbags, full protective
body armor for two persons, etc.
408.4 RECEIPT OF BOMB THREAT
Department members receiving a bomb threat should obtain as much information from the
individual as reasonably possible, including the type, placement and alleged detonation time of
the device.
If the bomb threat is received on a recorded line, reasonable steps should be taken to ensure that
the recording is preserved in accordance with established department evidence procedures.
Communications personnel receiving information of a bomb threat situation must make every
effort to determine the following:
(a)Location and description of the bomb as well as the anticipated time of detonation if
applicable
(b)Any and all information about the bomb threat caller to include both identifying
information as well as information relative to motive
(c)If handling officers request radio silence in the area of the bomb, this information
must be relayed to all involved personnel and the radio "beeper" used to deter radio
transmissions
The member receiving the bomb threat should ensure that the Division Lieutenant and/or Sergeant
is immediately advised and informed of the details. This will enable the Division Lieutenant and/
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Response to Bomb Calls
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentResponse to Bomb Calls - 2or Sergeant to ensure that the appropriate personnel are dispatched, and, as appropriate, the
threatened location is given an advance warning.
408.5 GOVERNMENT FACILITY OR PROPERTY
A bomb threat targeting a government facility may require a different response based on the
government agency.
408.5.1 GARDEN GROVE POLICE DEPARTMENT FACILITY
If the bomb threat is against the Garden Grove Police Department facility, the Division Lieutenant
and/or Sergeant will direct and assign officers as required for coordinating a general building
search or evacuation of the police department, as he/she deems appropriate.
408.5.2 OTHER COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL FACILITY OR PROPERTY
If the bomb threat is against a county or municipal facility within the jurisdiction of the Garden
Grove Police Department that is not the property of this department, the appropriate agency will
be promptly informed of the threat. Assistance to the other entity may be provided as the Division
Lieutenant and/or Sergeant deems appropriate.
408.5.3 FEDERAL BUILDING OR PROPERTY
If the bomb threat is against a federal building or property, the Federal Protective Service should
be immediately notified. The Federal Protective Service provides a uniformed law enforcement
response for most facilities, which may include use of its Explosive Detector Dog teams.
If the bomb threat is against a federal government property where the Federal Protective Service
is unable to provide a timely response, the appropriate facility’s security or command staff should
be notified.
Bomb threats against a military installation should be reported to the military police or other military
security responsible for the installation.
408.6 PRIVATE FACILITY OR PROPERTY
When a member of this department receives notification of a bomb threat at a location in the City
of Garden Grove, the member receiving the notification should obtain as much information as
reasonably possible from the notifying individual, including:
(a)The location of the facility.
(b)The nature of the threat.
(c)Whether the type and detonation time of the device is known.
(d)Whether the facility is occupied and, if so, the number of occupants currently on-scene.
(e)Whether the individual is requesting police assistance at the facility.
(f)Whether there are any internal facility procedures regarding bomb threats in place,
such as:
1.No evacuation of personnel and no search for a device.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Response to Bomb Calls
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentResponse to Bomb Calls - 32.Search for a device without evacuation of personnel.
3.Evacuation of personnel without a search for a device.
4.Evacuation of personnel and a search for a device.
The member receiving the bomb threat information should ensure that the Division Lieutenant
and/or Sergeant is immediately notified so that he/she can communicate with the person in charge
of the threatened facility.
408.6.1 ASSISTANCE
The Division