Policy Text
Field Services Page 1 of 3 6/08 (REV 1/04)
Bomb Threats, Suspicious It ems, Explosives and Arson
The purpose of this Operations Or der is to standardize response and responsibilities of
officers regarding the handling of threats, suspicious items, e xplosions and arson.
I. General Definitions
A. These definitions pertain to te rms and acronyms used by Expl osive
Ordinance Disposal ( E.O.D.) personnel
1. Bomb Technician – A full time sworn offi cer who is an active,
certified graduate of the FBI’s Hazardous Devices School who is
assigned to the EOD detail.
2. IED – Improvised Explosive Device . An illegal non-commercial
explosive device in which the explosive filler can be home made or
commercial explosive.
3. Destructive Device – Items that are described in section 12301 of
the Penal Code which include bom bs, grenades, missiles, “dry ic e”
bombs and “Molotov cocktails”.
4. Explosives – Items that are descri bed in section 12000 of the
Health and Safety code.
5. Dangerous Fireworks – Items that are describ ed in section 12500
of the Health and Safety Code.
6. Bomb Threat – False information r egarding a bomb that is
described in section 148.1 of the Penal Code.
7. Hoax Device – A facsimile bomb as descr ibed in section 148.1(d)
of the Penal Code.
II. Bomb Threat Procedures
A. When responding to bomb threat calls officers should refrain from using
two way radios, cellular phones, o r MDT within a 300 foot radiu s of the
scene. This precaution is used to prevent a possible explosion involving
radio frequencies setting off an electrical device.
B. If there is a need for evacuat ion of a business, the employe es of the
business shall make the threat d ecision regarding an evacuation , not the
SSD officer responding to the call . If the employees decide to evacuate,
the SSD officers may assist.
Field Services Page 2 of 3 6/08 (REV 1/04) C. Employees at the scene of a bomb threat shall conduct any se arch as
they are familiar with the area and can more easily recognize a n unusual
or suspicious item. SSD officers may assist in the searches. Of ficers may
also request the use of SSD explo sive trained canines in the se arch if
desired. This request shall be vi a the Communications Center.
D. SSD officers shall not declare an area clear of an explosive device. There
can be no guarantee that a device is not secreted somewhere. Of ficers
may contact EOD personnel if they have additional specific or t echnical
questions.
E. Officers responding to the thr eat shall complete a bomb thre at report. If
there are known suspects or im mediate follow up is required, th e EOD
Supervisor should be contacted vi a the Communications Center.
III. Suspicious Items and Explosives
A. If a suspicious item is locat ed during a bomb threat search, SSD officers
shall take control of the scene and order an evacuation. The ev acuation
should be at least 300 feet in diameter and further if possible .
B. If a citizen reports an item they feel is suspicious without an
accompanying threat, officers m ust make a decision based on the
immediate information available, whether to evacuate the area.
IV. EOD Response
A. Officers should not attempt to o pen, examine or move a suspi cious item. If
the item appears on the outset to be a destructive device, offi cers should
begin an evacuation. Officers should be cognizant of the fact t hat many
suspicious items are hoax devic es, but they should still be tre ated as a
viable destructive device. EOD bomb technicians shall be reques ted via
the Communications Center for all suspicious items. Officers sh ould be
prepared to brief the bomb technici ans with all available infor mation
including an accurate descrip tion of the suspicious item.
B. Bomb technicians shall be r equested to handle the recovery o f all
explosives including
(1) High and low Explosives
(2) Military ordnance (3) Dangerous fireworks (4) Explosive Chemicals
V. Explosions, Fires and Suspected Arson
A. Officers should be aware t hat secondary devices have been us ed against
responding emergency personnel. T horoughly search the area befo re
setting up an EOD staging area and command post. The fire depar tment
and ambulance should be requested if necessary. Bomb technician s shall
Field Services Page 3 of 3 6/08 (REV 1/04) be requested via the Communicati ons Center for all explosions i ncluding
“Molotov Cocktails”.
B. Officers should keep in mind the possibility of chemical, bi ological and
radiological contamination from a n explosion If possible treat the scene as
a potential Hazmat and process accordingly
VI. Crime Scene Protection
A. Explosions usually spread evid ence over a wide area. A perim eter large
enough to allow for the recovery o f small pieces of evidence sh ould be
established. All vehicle and foo t traffic inside the perimeter should be
minimized to prevent destroying evidence.
VII. Arson Responsibilities
A. Patrol will assis t with