415_-_Response_to_Bomb_Calls

Policy 415Mountain View Police Department Mountain View PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2021/04/07, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Mountain View Police DepartmentResponse to Bomb Calls - 1Response to Bomb Calls 415.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines to assist members of the Mountain View 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. 415.2 POLICY It is the policy of the Mountain View Police Department to place a higher priority on the safety of persons and the public over damage or destruction to public or private property. 415.3 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. The member receiving the bomb threat should ensure that the Watch Commander is immediately advised and informed of the details. This will enable the Watch Commander to ensure that the appropriate personnel are dispatched, and, as appropriate, the threatened location is given an advance warning. 415.4 GOVERNMENT FACILITY OR PROPERTY A bomb threat targeting a government facility may require a different response based on the government agency. 415.4.1 MOUNTAIN VIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT FACILITY If the bomb threat is against the Mountain View Police Department facility, the Watch Commander will direct and assign officers as required for coordinating a general building search or evacuation of the police department, as he/she deems appropriate. 415.4.2 OTHER COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL FACILITY OR PROPERTY If the bomb threat is against a county or municipal facility within the jurisdiction of the Mountain View 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 Watch Commander deems appropriate. Mountain View Police Department Mountain View PD Policy Manual Response to Bomb Calls Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2021/04/07, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Mountain View Police DepartmentResponse to Bomb Calls - 2415.4.3 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. 415.5 PRIVATE FACILITY OR PROPERTY When a member of this department receives notification of a bomb threat at a location in the City of Mountain View, 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. 2.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 Watch Commander is immediately notified so that he/she can communicate with the person in charge of the threatened facility. 415.5.1 ASSISTANCE The Watch Commander should be notified when police assistance is requested. The Watch Commander will make the decision whether the Department will render assistance and at what level. Information and circumstances that indicate a reasonably apparent, imminent threat to the safety of either the facility or the public may require a more active approach, including police control over the facility. Should the Watch Commander determine that the Department will assist or control such an incident, he/she will determine: (a)The appropriate level of assistance. Mountain View Police Department Mountain View PD Policy Manual Response to Bomb Calls Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2021/04/07, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Mountain View Police DepartmentResponse to Bomb Calls - 3(b)The plan for assistance. (c)Whether to evacuate and/or search the facility. (d)Whether to involve facility staff in the search or evacuation of the building. 1.The person in charge of the facility should be made aware of the possibility of damage to the facility as a result of a search. 2.The safety of all participants is the paramount concern. (e)The need for additional resources, including: 1.Notification and response, or standby notice, for fire and emergency medical services. Even though a facility does not request police assistance to clear the interior of a building, based upon the circumstances and known threat, officers may be sent to the scene to evacuate other areas that could be affected by the type of threat, or for traffic and pedestrian control. 415.