Policy Text
ALARMS – BUSINESS/RESIDENTIAL
EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/01/94 STANDARD NO. 011 REVISED: 07/06/18
REPLACES: SOP Alarms, Business – Residential 01-03.1-2 – Rev. 01/01/03; Rev. 05/07/12
OBJECTIVE: To establish policy and procedures for response to business and residential
alarms.
POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department (HPD) to respond to alarm
calls as expeditiously as possible within the City’s jurisdiction.
SCOPE: All employees of this Department will be governed by the procedures set forth
below.
I. ALARM RESPONSE PROCEDURES:
A. In dispatching a burglary alarm call, the dispatcher shall attempt to determine the nature
of each alarm (i.e., residential-silent or audible, intrusion, panic, whether or not a key
holder will be responding, an ETA, vehicle description, etc.) and relay that information to
the assigned officers.
B. A minimum of two (2) units shall be dispatched on all alarm calls and additional units
shall be dispatched whenever the circumstances demand it or when requested by the
responding officers.
C. Upon arrival at the scene, the officers shall check the exterior of the building to
determine if illegal entry may have been gained. If a possible point of entry is
discovered, additional backup officers shall be requested and the entire scene shall be
secured prior to any police officers entering the building. If a K-9 unit is available, they
shall be utilized to search the scene. If they are not available, an organized building
search shall be conducted after the scene is properly secured by at least two (2) officers.
If possible, contact shall be made with the owner or manager of the building or residence
so that key entry may be gained.
D. Back-up officers shall not be canceled until the responding officer arrives at the scene
and determines that there is necessary information available to indicate it is safe to do
so, or another police officer or unit is closer and responds to assist with the call.
E. In the event of an on-scene situation where the officer hears the alarm ringing, said
officer shall notify the dispatcher of the address of the alarm. Back-up units shall be
dispatched in accordance with the above policy.
F. Prior to clearing the scene, the officer will ascertain if the alarm is registered, and if
someone will be responding.
G. If the owner or designee responds to the scene, the dispatcher will be provided with the
name of the individual.
Alarms – Business/Residential – SOP# 011
H. In the event the officer finds an open door, the interior of the business/residence will be
checked by K-9, if available. If K-9 is not available, an organized search of the
business/residence shall be conducted by a minimum of two (2) officers.
I. Once the scene has been secured, the officer shall write an Open Door Report.
However, if the business/residence is unable to be secured, an extra watch shall be
placed on the property until the owner can be contacted to secure the
business/residence.
J. If, through an officer’s investigation, there has not been a crime committed and the
structure was found to be secured (i.e., no open door(s)/window(s), entry/exits, etc.), the
officer may “no report” the call.
K. When “no reporting” an alarm call, an officer should advise the dispatcher if it is
determined that the alarm was accidental or faulty.