Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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8.2 Communications: Operations
8.2.15 Alarms (Revised 12/13/12)
A. The ECC monitors the following alarms throughout UCSF and affiliated facilities:
1. Special service alarms
2. Intrusion alarms
3. Emergency panic/hold -up alarms
4. Irradiator alarms.
B. All other alarms are reported via private alarm companies or answering services and will
be dispatched in accordance with the procedures outlined throughout this order.
C. Special Service Alarms
These alarm are for areas requiring monitoring of environmental conditions. Examples
are carbon monoxide alarms, freezer temperature sensors, etc.
D. Burglary and Hold -up Alarms
Upon receipt of a burglary or hold -up alarm call, dispatchers will dispatch two units to
the location.
1. Officers responding should advise Dispatch if they have an unsecured premises
and ask for “Code 33” (air to be cleared).
2. Dispatchers will wait for officers on scene to provide the status or give further
instructions.
E. False Alarms
Once units have been dispatch to a burglary alarm, officers will continue to respond
regardless of information received by the alarm companies, unless otherwise directed by
Watch Commander.
F. Actual Burglaries
Dispatchers should wait for further instructions from officers on scene before calling
investigators. In addition, dispatchers should make sure the Watch Commander has been
notified and anticipate the need for additional agencies and/or for detectives, if
applicable.
G. Hold -up Alarms at Financial Institutio ns
These should be handled the same way as burglary alarms, with the following additional
procedures:
1. The dispatcher will call the financial institution and ask to speak to the person
listed first on the emergency call list (usually a supervisor). The dispatcher should
not disclose that he/she is calling from the Police Department.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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2. Once a supervisor is on the phone, the dispatcher will ask if there is any problem.
If the dispatcher ascertains there is no great urgency, he/she will identify
himself/he rself as a UCSF Police dispatcher and then obtain the name and
description of the person who will be meeting the officers on -scene. Dispatch will
tell the supervisor to meet the officers at a given location outside the financial
institution.
a. Dispatch will relay this information to the officers on scene.
b. Dispatch will provide the supervisor the name of the officer who will be
meeting them.
H. Confirmed Hold -up Alarm
If an actual robbery has occurred or is in progress, Dispatch will obtain as much
information as possible from the person who had contact with the suspect(s) and
broadcast the information.
1. An All Points Bulletin (APB) shall be sent containing: suspect and vehicle
descriptions, time and location of robbery, if weapons were involved and what
kinds of weapons.
2. Upon confirmation a robbery has occurred at a financial institution, Dispatch will
immediately notify the FBI.
I. Panic Alarms
If a direct panic alarm is received by the ECC, a minimum of two officers shall be
dispatched unless the Watch Commander determines and directs that only one officer is
necessary.
1. Detectives or sworn management personnel may be dispatched to in -house panic
alarms if no uniformed officers are in close proximity.
2. Alarms called in as “Panic or Duress” alarms by alarm companies shall be
handled in the same way as burglary or robbery alarms.
3. Dispatchers shall attempt to obtain detailed information from the alarm company
about the alarm (i.e., possibility of intrud ers, areas covered, occupants still on
premises, etc.)
J. Campus Fire Alarms
Upon notification of the activation of a fire alarm, a dispatcher shall contact the fire
department immediately. If the alarm is verified, the dispatcher shall be advised of the
exact location, nature and size of fire, and the status of the evacuation. The Campus Fire
Marshall and the Central Utilities Plant will be contacted.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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K. Irradiator Alarms
upon activation of an irradiator alarm, a minimum of two officers and the Watch
Commander shall be immediately dispatched unless the Watch Commander determines
and directs an alternative response.
1. Once activated, dispatchers shall continue to monitor alarm signals and notify
responding officers of any continued activations or other information.
2. The dispatcher shall contact the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Radiation
officer, who will stay on the phone with the dispatcher until the situation is
resolved.