Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (08/28 /2017 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: FINANCIAL INSTITUTION ROBBERIES AND OTHER ALARM
RESPONSES
Index as: Alarms Financial Institution Malfunction (of Security Alarm)
Bank Robberies Financial Institution Robberies Responsible Party
False Alarm In-progress Robbery Robberies, Bank
False Security Alarm Just Occurred Robbery Security Alarm System
Accreditation Standards: 81.2.13
Cross Reference : §119.07(3)(f), F.S.S
Replaces : G.O. III -11 Financial Institution Robberies (September 14, 2007)
I.O. V5:06, False Alarms (April 4, 2000)
This Order establishes the policy and procedures for investigating robberies of financial institutions and other alarm
responses within the jurisdiction of the St. Petersbu rg Police Department. It consist s of the following sections:
I. Definitions
II. Financial Institution Robberies
III. Other Alarm Responses
I. DEFINITIONS
A. False Security Alarm – A security alarm malfunction or the activation of any alarm not caused by forced entry,
attempted forced entry, or robbery, which results in the official response of the Police Department and which is caused by
the negligent or intentional misuse of the system by the owner or their employees . A presumption exists that the alarm was
false if the Police Officer responding to the alarm finds no evidence of criminal activity, attempted criminal activity or an
emergency at the premises. (Examples of false al arms include but are not limited to , opening doors or windows protected
by sensors, walking through or on areas protected by sensors, or failing to prevent the activation of sensors by animals or
objects of which the alarm user/owner has, or reasonably sh ould have , control).
B. Financial Institution – Any bank, savings and loan, credit union, or other financial facility that is federally insured by
the F.D.I.C. or the F.S.L.I.C.
C. Malfunction (of Security Alarm) – The activation of any alarm which results in the response of the Police Department
caused by mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or lack of proper maintenance, or any other response for
which Police Department personnel are unable to gain access to the premises for any reason, or unable to determine the
apparent cause of the activation. DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
August 2017 Immediately III-11
Distribution: All Employees
Portions of this Order are exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Law of the State of F lorida,
§119.07 1(2)(d), F.S.S., since it contains “comprehensive polices or plans compiled by a criminal justice agency
pertaining to the m obilization, deployment or tactical operations in responding to emergencies.”
General Order III -11
2 (08/28 /2017 ) D. Official Response – A response to an alarm activation where any Officer or member of the Police Department shall
be dispatched to the premises where th e alarm has been activated, or where any on -duty Officer or member of the Police
Department learns of the activation of the alarm system(s), by any means whatsoever, and responds thereto by traveling to
those premises. The response ends when the Officer or member has completed their investigation of the incident.
E. Responsible Party – Any person or entity who owns or controls the premises in which an alarm system is installed.
By way of example and not limitation, the person who controls is a person or entit y who leases, operates, occupies or
manages the premises.
F. Security Alarm System – Any mechanical, electrical or radio -controlled device designed to be used for the detection
of any unauthorized entry into a building, structure or facility, or both, which emits a sound or transmits a signal or message
when activated. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, alarm systems shall be deemed to include audible alarms
at the site of the installation of the detection device, proprietor alarms, and automat ic telephone direct -dial devices or digital
communicator systems.
1. Excluded from the definition of Security Alarm Systems are devices designed or used to register alarms that
are audible, visible or perceptible in or attached to any motor vehicle, or auxiliary devices installed by telephone companie s
to protect telephone systems from damage or disruption of service.
NOTE : The following sections of this policy are exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Law of the
State of Florida §119.07 1(2)(d), F.S.S., since it contains “…comprehensive polices or plans compiled by a
criminal justice agency pertaining to the mobilization, deployment, or tactical operations involved in responding
to emergencies.”
General Order III -11
3 (08/28 /2017 )
NOTE: The preceding sections of this Order are exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Law of the
State of F lorida, § 119.07(3)(f) , F.S.S., since it contains “comprehensive polices or plans compiled by a criminal
justice agency pertaining to the mobilization, deployment or tactical operations in responding to emergencies.”
General Order III -11
4 (08/28 /2017 ) III. OTHER ALARM RESPONSES
A. When responding to an alarm, other than a financial institution robbery alarm, the Officer shall determine whether
to:
1. Issue an alarm notice,
2. Conduct a burglary investigation, or
3. Document a n open d oor in an incident report.
B. If