Policy Text
Court Security Division P age 1 of 6 1/05 (REV 6/11)
General: Threat Management – Judicial Protection Unit
The purpose of this Operations Or der is to establish a procedur e by which threats and
threatening behavior may be i dentified, assessed, and managed i n a thorough and
consistent manner at all Sacram ento County Superior Court facil ities.
I. Overview
A. In response to the rapid incr ease of threats of violence and harassment
directed toward judges, court st aff, and other County employees , the
Court Security Division has dev eloped the Threat Management/Jud icial
Protection Unit (TM/JPU).
B. Threat Management is a proactive method of investigative and operational
techniques used by law enforce ment professionals to identify, a ssess, and
manage the risks of t argeted violence.
II. Guidelines
A. The TM/JPU will assume inves tigative responsibilities for se lected cases
wherein:
1. An individual demonstrates an abnormal fixation and/or gener ates a
pattern of harassment, threats, s talking, or unsolicited acts o f
visitation, telephonic or written communication, in an annoying or
threatening manner towards Sacram ento County Court personnel.
2. A group or organization expec ted to be present at a court fa cility
that may behave in a disorderly , violent manner with the intent to
disrupt legal proceedings by aggr essive, unruly verbal and phys ical
confrontations with offi cers and Court personnel.
B. The TM/JPU falls under the dire ction of a Sheriff's Sergeant assigned to
the Court Security Division. The TM/JPU supervisor shall revie w all cases
submitted for investigation.
C. The Division Commander shall have the final authority on det ermining
what cases the TM/JPU will be assigned.
III. Jurisdiction
A. The TM/JPU will investigate ca ses involving the following gr oups:
Court Security Division P age 2 of 6 1/05 (REV 6/11) 1. The Sacramento Superior Courts , its environment, employees, and
officials.
2. The Superior Court Human Resources Department.
3. Cases outside the jurisdicti on of the Court Security Divisio n will be
reviewed by the TM/JPU superviso r, or acting supervisor, for
possible referral to other agencie s or divisions within the She riff’s
Department.
4. Requests for TM/JPU assistance from outside agencies or othe r
divisions within the Sheriff’s Department shall be coordinated
through the TM/JPU supervisor.
IV. Procedure for Case Investigation
A. Upon receiving notif ication of a threat of violence, the She riff’s employee
shall:
1. Advise the receiver/victim to:
a. Minimize the handling of written documents.
(1) TM/JPU can make photocopies for the Court, if
necessary.
b. Protect any voice mail messages.
(1) TM/JPU can make tape recordings to preserve the
communication.
2. Collect/Secure any and all ev idence associated with the thre at.
3. Encourage the receiver/victi m not to respond to the communic ation
or any future communications.
4. Make no attempt to contact the sender. 5. Report all concerns of threat s, or potential violence to the TM/JPU.
a. If immediate action is requi red, the TM/JPU supervisor
and/or the Threat Management Unit office should be
contacted directly or th rough GDS Court Control.
B. Upon receiving information o f an organized disturbance, the Sheriff's
Department employee shall:
1. Attempt to learn:
a. Group name and formal leader(s)
Court Security Division P age 3 of 6 1/05 (REV 6/11) b. Political or legal cause for assembly
c. Number of expected participants d. Date, time and location of assembly
2. Report all concerns of a pending disturbance to the TM/JPU.
a. If immediate action is requi red, the TM/JPU supervisor
and/or the Threat Management Unit office should be contacted directly or th rough GDS Court Control.
3. Upon receiving information o f an organized disturbance, the
TM/JPU officer, in conjunction with the CERT Team Leader, shall :
a. Create an Operational Outli ne and a Site Survey for the
organized disturbance.
b. Notify the Sheriff’s Communication Bureau of the
organized disturbance; provide the Communications Bureau with a copy of the Operational Outline.
C. The TM/JPU officer shall:
1. Create a TM/JPU file along wi th a detailed narrative report
containing all the facts in the case.
2. Complete a thorough investigation if the case is assigned by the
TM/JPU supervisor.
3. If applicable, complete a cr ime or incident report in the
Sheriff’s Department Automated Fi eld Reporting (AFR) System
or Inmate PF10.
D. The TM/JPU supervisor shall:
1. Decide whether to ini tiate an active case.
a. Assign the investigation to a TM/JPU officer or, if the inci dent
has a potential nexus to terroris m as defined in Title 22 (refe r
section IX.A. of this Order), coordinate t he investigation with
the Terrorism Liaison Office r Coordinator (TLOC).
b. Be responsible for the comp letion of all reports (TM/JPU
supervisor).
c. Liaison with other applicable S heriff’s Department divisions
and outside agencies:
(1) Main Jail Gang Intelligence Unit
Court Security Division