Policy Text
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES Page 1 of 3 3/14 (REV 7/07)
MJ/RCCC
OPERATIONS ORDER
Bomb Threats, Suspicious Items, or Explosions
The purpose of this Order is to outline the response and proced ures for custody staff to
take in the event a bomb threat is received, a suspicious devic e is located, or an actual
explosion occurs at the Main Jail or the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center (RCCC).
I. Policy
Custody staff shall respond to bom b threats or explosions in a manner that will maintain
the security of the facility and the safety of the staff, the p risoners, and the public.
Custody staff shall return the fa cility to full operation as so on as it is practical.
II. Procedures for Receiving a Bo mb Threat by Telephone or Lett er
A. Custody staff receiving a bom b threat by telephone will atte mpt to keep
the caller on the line as long as possible and quickly notify a c o - w o r k e r
and a supervisor of the telephone call.
B. A staff member receiving a bo mb threat by telephone will att empt to
record the caller’s exact words and ascertain the following inf ormation:
1. Exact time of the call. 2. Location of the device and ti me of expected detonation.
3. Type and description of the de vice including the approximate size,
shape, and how the device is packaged or covered.
4. The caller’s identity, gender and any accent or speech defec t.
5. Caller or group responsible and the motive for the bomb.
6. Any distinguishable background noises.
C. Any staff member receiving a bomb threat by written note of letter will
prevent unnecessary handling of the item and immediately notify a
sergeant and/or watch commander.
D. The supervisor will establish a chain of custody of the lett er by recording
names, addresses and phone num bers of all persons that handled it and
arrange for the evidence booking and latent fingerprinting.
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MJ/RCCC III. Procedures for Responding to a Bomb Threat
A. Field Services Operations Or der 6/08 outlines procedures for responding
to bomb threats, suspici ous items, and explosives.
B. The Facility Watch Commander, or designee, shall determine a course of
action based upon the information contained in the bomb threat. A partial
or total facility lockdown, search and/or evacuation may be app ropriate.
C. Sworn staff responding to bomb threats should refrain from u sing two way
radios, cellular telephones, or MDT’s within a 300 foot radius of the
suspected area of the device.
D. If the bomb threat occurs on the secured side of the facilit y, garage, or in
the administrative parking lot, custody staff will conduct a se arch for the
device.
1. At the Main Jail , front counter personnel may conduct the search if
the bomb threat is made in the f ront counter area, administrati ve
area, visitor booths, and court areas.
2. At RCCC, gatehouse staff may conduct a search of the area
immediately surrounding the gat e house and parking lots.
E. Staff may request the use of an explosive trained canine to aid in the
search; however the request must go through the communications center.
F. If a facility search is conducted and the device can not be located, the
watch commander will determine the need for further security me asures.
Staff will not declare an area clear of an explosive device as there can be
no guarantee that a device is not hidden somewhere.
G. If there is a need for notifyi ng a nearby business or reside nce of the bomb
threat, the employees of the business or residents shall make t he decision
whether or not to evacuate. Custody staff responding to the ca ll will not
make the decision to evacuate.
1. If the business determines an evacuation is appropriate, cus tody
staff may assist until local la w enforcement arrives on scene.
H. At the conclusion of the incident, sworn staff may be assign ed to complete
any appropriate documentation. T his documentation may include: A
Crime or Incident Report, watch summary, log book entry, and/or Inter
Departmental Correspondence (IDC).
IV. Locating a Suspected Bomb
A. Custody staff locating a suspicious package/device will not touch, jar or
attempt to move the package/device.
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MJ/RCCC B. Custody staff shall initially evacuate at least a 300 foot d iameter area. A
more extensive evacuation ma y be conducted depending on the sit uation
and availability of staff.
C. Custody staff should not transmit over the radio in any prox imity to the
package/device, however staff will notify Central Control at th e Main Jail
or Booking Control at RCCC by landline telephone with the location,
description, and size.
D. Main Jail Central Control or RCCC Booking Control will notify:
1. Communications Center (Sheriff’s Dispatch) 2. Fire Department 3. Explosive Ordinance Detail 4. Local Law Enforcement 5. Other Facilities and Divisions
V. Bomb Explosion
A. In the event of an actual explosion, Main Jail Central Control or RCCC
Booking Control and Sheriff Dispatch s hall be notified of:
1. Location(s) of explosion(s) 2. Number of people injured.