Policy Text
I. Bomb Threats
A. Every bomb threat must be considered real. Extreme caution is warranted
in every bomb threat situation.
B. Officers responding to potential bomb situations have the primary
responsibility of coordinating efforts involving persons responsible
for locating and disarming explosive devices, activities involving any
and all other emergency services agencies and activities concerning
those persons responsible for the premises on which the incident is
occurring to provide for maximum safety. The responding officer
has the responsibility of securing the necessary information,
disseminating that information to other involved personnel as
necessary and writing an offense report/after action report.
[46.1.3i; 46.1.4f]
C. When a bomb threat is received by the Public Safety Communications
Division (PSCD), PSCD will attempt to obtain the following information:
1. The reported location of the bomb;
2. The reported time of scheduled detonation. If a time of
detonation has been given, searchers will be instructed to
leave the premises no less than 15 minutes prior to the
detonation time given. Once searchers leave the premises no
one will be allowed to reenter the premises until sufficient time
has passed after the given detonation time, generally a
minimum of 30 minutes;
3. A description of device;
4. The type of bomb;
5. The reason for placing the bomb;
6 How was or how will the bomb be delivered;
7. Caller’s identity and/or the organization represented;
8. Caller’s sex, age, nationality, voice characteristics and any other
identifying characteristics; and
9. Distinguishable background noises.
D. When a citizen calls to advise of a received bomb threat, PSCD will:
1. Obtain as much of the above information from the caller as
possible;
2. Advise the caller to have the owner or person in charge of the
building at that particular time meet the arriving officers at a
specified location away from the targeted location. If the threat
was directed to a specific office or business in a large building, the
office manager will be asked to meet the officer.
E. Dispatching the bomb call
1. The PSCD will advise the appropriate area officers and supervisor
of the call and provide all relevant information. If time permits, the
supervisor will be instructed to call the station and the information
will be relayed by telephone to avoid media and civilian attention.
2. It will be the responsibility of the supervisor dispatched to the
scene to make the necessary decisions which will set in
motion the appropriate actions by emergency services
personnel. This responsibility will remain with the on-scene
supervisor until such time as they are relieved of that
responsibility by a superior officer.
3. The PSCD will notify the on-duty Fire Department Commander and
advise of the bomb threat.
[46.1.3d]
4. The PSCD and the responding supervisor will notify the
Intelligence and Security Unit immediately. The Intelligence
and Security Unit will be responsible for the investigation of
any bomb threat.
5. Communications from the scene will be conducted by landline
telephone if possible. All radios, cell phones, MDTs and other
electronic devices that transmit data will be shut off within 300 feet
of the scene.
6. The PSCD will notify the on-duty K-9 officer to determine if an
bomb detection K-9 Team is on duty. If no bomb detection K-9
Team is on duty, the K-9 Team supervisor will be contacted to
determine if a bomb detection K-9 Team will be called to respond.
[46.1.3c; 46.1.6e]
F. Responding to Bomb Threats
[46.1.3h]
1. During arrival and approach to the scene, officers must:
a. Select parking with care, avoiding items and areas that could
conceal an explosive device;
b. Observe pedestrians and vehicles in the area, remaining
alert for suspicious actions and possible ambush;
c. Turn off vehicle, portable radios, cell phones and other
electronic devices that transmit data at least 300 feet from
the scene.