408 Bomb Calls Flashcards
408.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines to assist members of the Berkeley 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.
Policy
408.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Berkeley Police Department to place a higher priority on the safety of persons and the public over damage or destruction to public or private property.
Policy
408.3 RECEIPT OF BOMB THREAT
True or false
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.
True
408.3 RECEIPT OF BOMB THREAT
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.
True
408.3 RECEIPT OF BOMB THREAT
True or False
The member receiving the bomb threat should ensure the Watch Commander or Duty Command Officer (DCO) is immediately advised and informed of the details. This will ensure the appropriate personnel are dispatched, and, as appropriate, the threatened location is given an advance warning.
True
408.4 GOVERNMENT FACILITY OR PROPERTY
True or false
A bomb threat targeting a government facility may utilize the same bomb threat procedures for any threat issued
False
Answer:
A bomb threat targeting a government facility may require a different response based on the government agency.
408.4.1 BERKELEY POLICE DEPARTMENT PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING
True or False
If the bomb threat is against the Berkeley Police Department’s Public Safety Building (PSB), 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.
True
408.4.2 OTHER COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL FACILITY OR PROPERTY
True or false
If the bomb threat is against a county or municipal facility within the jurisdiction of the Berkeley Police Department but that is not the property of this department, then the other agency will be responsible for managing the threat
False:
Answer:
If the bomb threat is against a county or municipal facility within the jurisdiction of the Berkeley Police Department but 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.
408.4.3 FEDERAL BUILDING OR PROPERTY
True or false
If the bomb threat is against a federal building or property, the National Security Administration should be immediately notified. The NSA provides a uniformed law enforcement response for most facilities, which may include use of its Explosive Detector Dog teams.
False:
Answer:
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.
408.4.3 FEDERAL BUILDING OR PROPERTY
True or false
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.
True
408.4.3 FEDERAL BUILDING OR PROPERTY
True or False
Bomb threats against a military installation should be reported to the military police or other military security responsible for the installation.
True
408.5 PRIVATE FACILITY OR PROPERTY
When a member of this department receives notification of a bomb threat at a location within the City of Berkeley, the member receiving the notification should obtain as much information as reasonably possible from the notifying individual, including:
1) The location of the facility.
2) The nature of the threat.
3) Whether the type and detonation time of the device is known.
4) Whether the facility is occupied and, if so, the number of occupants currently on-scene.
5) Whether the individual is requesting police assistance at the facility.
6) Whether there are any internal facility procedures regarding bomb threats in place, such as:
- No evacuation of personnel and no search for a device.
- Search for a device without evacuation of personnel.
- Evacuation of personnel without a search for a device.
- Evacuation of personnel and a search for a device.
7) The member receiving the bomb threat information should ensure that the Watch Commanderor DCO is immediately notified.
408.6 INITIAL RESPONSE
When handling an incident where a threat of an explosive device has been made, the following guidelines, while not all inclusive, should be followed:
A) Treat all bomb threats as valid.
B) Leave the decision to evacuate a building to the building manager or person in charge, unless a suspected explosive device is located.
1) The police have the authority to force an evacuation of the premises, and the evacuees shall be moved at least 300 feet away and out of the line of sight of the target building.
2) The evacuees shall be told to bring their belongings with them and stage nearby
C) Do not transmit on any equipment that is capable of producing radio frequency energy within the evacuation area. This includes the following:
1) Two-way radios 2) Body Worn Cameras 3) Cell phones 4) Other personal communication devices
D) Ascertain if there have been previous threats of an explosive device at this location.
1) If there have been prior threats, and the person in charge of the building decides to evacuate the building, the occupants should reassemble at a different location from where they assembled during previous evacuations.
E) Search the premises, in the company of a person who is familiar with the areas to be searched.No more than one officer should search any given area at one time.
F) Search the outside of the building before entering.
- Once cleared, search the building starting at the lowest floor and work upward. The search should cover, at minimum, all public-access areas, restrooms (with a special emphasis on trash containers), window sills, shrubbery, etc.
G) Assist in evacuation, if commenced, and require occupants to reassemble at least 300 feet away from the target building and out of the direct line of sight.
H) Be calm; avoid panic behavior.
I) See that all doors and windows are opened.
J) If no suspicious items are located after a reasonable search, notify the person responsible for premises exactly that, and no more.Do not say that there are no explosives on the premises.
K) If the threat is time specific, terminate search activity of the area at least 30 minutes before, and do not resume until at least 30 minutes after the threatened time of detonation.
408.7 FOUND DEVICE
When handling an incident involving a found suspected explosive device, the following guidelines, while not all inclusive, should be followed:
a) No known or suspected explosive item should be considered safe regardless of its size or apparent packaging.
b) The device should not be touched or moved except by the bomb squad or military explosive ordnance disposal team.
c) Personnel should not transmit on any equipment that is capable of producing radio frequency energy within the evacuation area around the suspected device. This includes the following:
1) Two-way radios
2) Body Worn Cameras
3) Cell phones
4) Other personal communication devices
d) The appropriate notifications shall be made in the following order:
1) The Berkeley Police Department Bomb Squad Commander and at least two Berkeley Police Department Bomb Technicians. The Bomb Technician Sergeant or the Senior Bomb Technician responding to the incident and the Bomb Squad Commander are the only persons authorized to request mutual aid assistance.
2) The Communications center will call the University of California Police Department (UCPD) and request mutual aid assistance only under the following circumstances:
- If the Communications Center is unable to contact any of the Berkeley Police Department Bomb - Technicians within 15 minutes of calling/paging them. - No Berkeley Police Department Bomb Technicians are able to respond to the scene. - At the direction of the Bomb Technician Sergeant (or the Senior Bomb Technician) or Bomb Squad Commander. - If University of California Police Department (UCPD) Bomb Technicians are unable to respond, the Communications Center will call the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and request mutual aid assistance. - Berkeley Fire Department. - The Patrol Watch Commander, or in his/her absence, the Duty Command Officer. - The Investigations Division Captain will be notified if the found device constitutes a violation of the 12300 series of the Penal Code. - 60th Civil Engineering Squadron - Travis Air Force Base (only if suspected military device) e) The largest perimeter reasonably possible, at least 300 feet, should initially be established around the device based upon available personnel and the anticipated danger zone f) A safe access route should be provided for support personnel and equipment. g) Search the area for secondary devices as appropriate and based upon available resources. h) Consider evacuation of buildings and personnel near the device or inside the danger zone and the safest exit route.
I) Promptly relay available information to the Watch Commander or DCO including:
- The time of discovery. - The exact location of the device. - A full description of the device (e.g., size, shape, markings, construction). - The anticipated danger zone and perimeter. - The areas to be evacuated or cleared.
408.8 EXPLOSION/BOMBING INCIDENTS
true or false
When an explosion has occurred, there are multitudes of considerations which may confront the responding officers. As in other catastrophic events, a rapid response may help to minimize injury to victims, minimize contamination of the scene by gathering crowds, or minimize any additional damage from fires or unstable structures.
True
