Policy Text
BOMBS, BOMB THREATS AND EXPLOSIVE DEVICES
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/01/89 STANDARD NO. 044 REVISED: 07/09/18
REPLACES: SOP Bomb Threats and Explosive Devices 02-04.1-7 – Rev. 01/01/03; Rev. 02/05/14;
Rev. 05/15/18
OBJECTIVE: To establish criteria for response to and handling of investigations of bombs,
explosive devices and bomb threats.
POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department (HPD) to respond to all
emergencies occurring within the City regarding explosive devices and/or bomb
threats.
SCOPE: All employees of this Department shall be governed by the procedures set forth
below.
I. BOMBS AND EXPLOSIVE DEVICES:
A. Bombs and explosive devices can be as simple as a bottle filled with gasoline, a shotgun
shell with nails taped to it and thrown, or a radiological device. They can be as obvious
as a container of gunpowder and an alarm clock or as innocent as a regular business
envelope.
1. Fusing can be from fire, heat, electrical current, radio reception, shock, trip wires,
immersion in water, change in altitude, the passage of time, etc.
2. There may be multiple fusing devices and booby traps. Multiple bombs can be
interfaced to detonate if one (1) is neutralized.
3. Bombs and explosive devices can be fused to be entirely tamper proof. Fusing
can be so complete as to foil any attempt to disarm the bomb and may require
on-the-scene detonation.
4. Smokeless powder and black powder are the most commonly used explosives
and are readily available in South Florida. Other types of explosives can be
manufactured from materials commonly available.
II. BOMB THREATS:
A. While most bomb threat calls are fictitious, it must be remembered that many bombers
are unstable and that by calling the police, the media or the intended victim in advance,
bombers feel they are guiltless for injuries or deaths caused by their bomb. Terrorists
and persons aiming their bombs at public safety officers may also make bomb threat
calls to lure police and/or fire personnel to the scene to suffer the results of the
explosion. Every bomb threat must be considered real. Extreme caution is
warranted in every bomb threat situation.
B. Receiving the bomb threat:
Bombs, Bomb Threats and Explosive Devices – SOP# 044
1. When a bomb threat is received by the police complaint desk, complaint officer
shall complete a Telephone Bomb Threat form. Every threat shall be considered
legitimate. The dispatcher/complaint officer should try to obtain the following
information:
a. Exact location of the bomb: Floor, room number, in a locker, package,
etc.
b. Exact time of scheduled detonation.
c. Is the bomb in the open or hidden? If disguised, what does it look like?
d. Type of bomb: Incendiary, dynamite, plastics, etc.
e. Reason for bomb placement.
f. Method of delivery: Mailed, hand-carried, delivery service, etc.
g. The exact words used in the threat.
h. Attempt to have the caller identify him/herself and/or the organization
he/she represents.
i. Attempt to determine the caller’s sex, age, nationality, voice
characteristics, etc.
j. Listen for background noises, etc.
k. Keep the caller on the line as long as possible.
l. When a citizen calls to advise of a received bomb threat:
1) Obtain as much of the above information from the caller as
possible.
2) Advise the caller to have the building owner, or whomever is in
charge of the building at that particular time, meet the arriving
police units at a specified location. If the threat was directed to a
specific office or business in a large building, the office manager
should be asked to meet the officers.
C. Dispatching the bomb threat:
1. The dispatcher will advise two (2) Uniform Patrol Division (UPD) zone units, a
UPD supervisor and the Explosive K-9 unit of the call, giving as much information
as possible. If time permits, the units should be instructed to telephone the
station and the information should be relayed by phone to avoid media and
civilian attention.