Policy Text
Ref: CALEA
Standard 2.1.2;
81.2.5; 81.2.6
DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL ORDER L-8 Rev.
17 Mar 00
Index as: Aircraft Hijackings Hijackings, Aircraft
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AIRCRAFT HIJACKINGS
The purpose of this order is to define law enforcement responsibilities and to
establish Departmental procedures in responding to an actual or attempted hijacking which occurs at one of the Oakland airports. I. RESPONSIBILITY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
A. The Federal Aviation Administra tion (FAA) has primary law
enforcement responsibility when incidents occur aboard aircraft in
flight. Aircraft on the ground are considered to be "in flight" and subject to FAA direction if all external doors are closed.
B. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in cooperation with the Oakland Police Department, has law enforcement responsibility regarding aircraft that are not in f light. An aircraft on the ground is
considered to be "not in flight" on ly if one or more of its doors are
ajar. In addition, based on a 1995 Congressional modification of Title 49 USC, the FBI is now the designated lead agency responsible for resolving a hijacking crisis when an aircraft is hijacked in the air and lands at an airport, regardless of the status of the doors.
C. In cases where there is uncertainty about an aircraft's flight status, the FAA assumes responsibility.
D. In the absence of an FBI or FAA official(s) to assume responsibility for the incident, law enforcement responsibility shall rest with the
ranking Departmental member at the scene.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER L-8 Rev.
17 Mar 00 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
E. The Airport Manager or his/her representative will provide the
necessary support to FAA, FBI, and the ranking Departmental officer at the scene.
II. COMMAND POSTS AND ASSEMBLY AREA
A. Command Posts
The Airport Emergency Operations Center (AEOC)/Incident Command Post (ICP] for both the Oakland International Airport (South Airport) and the General Aviation Airport (North Airport) is located in building M-104 (South Airport). The Tower Lounge, located on the 8th floor of Terminal 1, South Airport, may be used as a tactical command post or as an observation post.
B. Assembly Area The initial assembly area for members and employees responding to an impending or actual aircraft hij acking shall be the parking lot
adjacent to the valet parking area, west of Terminal 1, South Airport.
C. Designated Aircraft Location
The hijacked aircraft will be directed by air traffic controllers to park in an isolated area unless otherwise specified.
D. Passenger Debriefing Area
The interview area for passenger debriefing will be in an isolated area to be determined by on-scen e airport and law enforcement
officials.
III. COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION RESPONSIBILITIES Upon receiving notification of an impending or actual aircraft hijacking, the Communications Division shall:
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER L-8 Rev.
17 Mar 00 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
A. Maintain direct communications with the AEOC/ICP (See Appendix
A) until a supervisory or command officer arrives.
B. Notify the FBI immediately and main tain communications with them
as necessary (See Appendix A).
C. Notify the Watch Commander who will make other notifications as
needed.
D. Keep the Patrol Division Watch Commander informed of any changes in the situation until he/she arrives at the AEOC/ICP.
E. Dispatch or call-out the following members to report to the AEOC/ICP: 1. A command officer and two sergeants.
2. An on-duty Traffic Enforcement sergeant or another Patrol Division sergeant.
3. The Departmental Tactical Op erations Team (Entry, Sniper
and/or HNT).
4. Additional units as requested by the supervisory or command officer at the AEOC/ICP.
F. Refer all calls for public information to the responsible agency (FBI or FAA) and/or airline represen tative. The Watch Commander may
call out the Departmental PIO.
IV. BUREAU OF FIELD OPERATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Airport Security/Helicopter Unit 1. The on-duty senior officer shall report immediately to the AEOC/ICP in building M-104 to open and maintain communication with the south control tower and the Communications Division and perform the responsibilities of
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER L-8 Rev.
17 Mar 00 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
the command officer until relieved by a supervisory or
command officer.
2. An on-duty Airport Security/Helicopter Unit officer shall report directly to the south control tower. This officer shall
obtain all available information regarding the incident and
relay that information to the AEOC/ICP. This officer shall
not communicate directly with the hijacker(s) unless directed
by the Incident Commander.
B. Command Officer Responsibilities 1. The Airport Security/Helicopter Unit senior officer shall be relieved by a command officer as soon as possible. This command officer shall assume the role of the Incident Commander.
2. Upon arrival at the AEOC, the Incident Commander shall: a) Assign another command or supervisory officer to assume the role of the Perimeter and Traffic Commander and instruct him/her to respond directly to the designated assembly area. FAA Safety/Security regulations require all responding officers to be escorted to assembly area by airport security, Helicopter/Airport Security Officer, or airport operations personnel.
b) Coordinate with the Tactical Commander for deployment of Tactical Operations Team