Policy Text
Policy
409San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentResponse to Bomb Calls - 1Response to Bomb Calls
409.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines to assist members of the San Luis Obispo 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.
409.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the San Luis Obispo Police Department to place a higher priority on the safety
of persons and the public over damage or destruction to public or private property.
409.3 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.
409.4 GOVERNMENT FACILITY OR PROPERTY
A bomb threat targeting a government facility may require a different response based on the
government agency.
409.4.1 SAN LUIS OBISPO POLICE DEPARTMENT FACILITY
If the bomb threat is against the San Luis Obispo 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.
409.4.2 OTHER COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL FACILITY OR PROPERTY
If the bomb threat is against a county or municipal facility within the jurisdiction of the San Luis
Obispo 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.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Response to Bomb Calls
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentResponse to Bomb Calls - 2409.4.3 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.
409.5 PRIVATE FACILITY OR PROPERTY
When a member of this department receives notification of a bomb threat at a location in the City
of Name of your jurisdiction:, 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.
409.5.1 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.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Response to Bomb Calls
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo 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