5/213.02 Bomb Threats - Located Explosive Devices - Detonations

Question 1

_______ _______ _______, _______ _______, is responsible for investigations resulting from all bomb, bomb threats, extortions with the use of bombs or bomb threats, located explosive, and other similar events pertaining to certain acts relating to terrorism, including weapons of mass destruction, biological agents, chemical agents, radioactive agents and other lethal agents, toxins and delivery systems; that threaten the security of our community.

Answer 1

Counter Terrorism Bureau, ARMOR Section

Question 2

Counter Terrorism Bureau in coordination with LVMPD’s federal partners maintains intelligence information on such activities. Counter Terrorism Bureau ARMOR Section will act as a liaison, under certain situations, to investigative units, FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Presidential Directive 39 (P.D.D. 39) assigns the ________ as the primary agency for all terrorist incidents.

Answer 2

F.B.I.

Question 3

It should be noted that any and all actions and decisions made by LVMPD employees should take into consideration that the intention of the department is to conduct the investigation in a _______ _______.

Answer 3

Covert manner

Question 4

Investigative techniques which are appropriate for the situation will be used, including minimizing public awareness and chances of alerting suspects to police involvement.

True or False?

Answer 4

True.

Question 5

In the event that the LVMPD receives initial information of a bomb threat /extortion against any person or establishment, the target individual or establishment will be notified as soon as possible by detectives unless urgent or emergency circumstances dictate otherwise.

True or False?

Answer 5

True.

Question 6

Department members will make every attempt to work closely with management or their designees in the coordination and execution of their standard emergency operating procedures to ensure public safety.

All decisions regarding compliance with extortion demands will be made by the representative of the establishment.

True or False?

Answer 6

True.

Question 7

What are the Patrol Officer’s responsibilities?

Answer 7

1. Responds to the scene and confers with the senior representative or key employee of the establishment. The representative of the establishment must make the following decisions: whether to conduct a search (using establishment personnel); whether to evacuate during a search; if further action should be taken if no device or suspected device is found; and if the area is safe or free of explosives. LVMPD personnel will not make these decisions or judgments. On any specific threat where the senior representative or key employee of an establishment is willing to evacuate the premises and conduct a search, the Explosive Detection Dog (EDD) can be deployed to provide a more comprehensive search. Examples of such searches could be buildings, aircrafts or vehicles (see 5/213.03).
2. Update the event through the use of the Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) or phone line. Personnel are cautioned against radio transmissions in the vicinity of a device as it could cause detonation. Land lines should be used when possible.
3. Requests ARMOR or other support units if required. (Outlined in Located Explosive Device section.)
4. Takes incident report and, if appropriate, completes a brief Officer’s Report.

Question 8

Patrol Supervisor responds to the scene, as necessary.

True or False?

Answer 8

True.

Question 9

Threats Against Vehicles:

An officer responding to a threat against a vehicle should attempt to determine the existence of a device through a _______ _______ _______ prior to requesting ARMOR.

Answer 9

Prompt preliminary investigation

Question 10

Threats Against Vehicles:

A visual inspection of the inside and underside of the vehicle will be conducted without opening doors, trunk, or hood. A booby-trapped vehicle could mean serious injury or death to the officer and bystanders.

True or False?

Answer 10

True.

Question 11

Nonspecific Threats:

A victim is difficult to identify in a bomb threat against a location, e.g., “a bomb will blow up at the southwest corner of Spring Mountain and Las Vegas Boulevard in fifteen minutes”.

In those cases, the responding officer will dictate an Officer’s Report explaining the incident and action taken if the report may be of future value to investigators.

True or False?

Answer 11

True.

Question 12

Nonspecific Threats:

The Patrol Officer will:

Answer 12

1. Contacts the person reporting, if available.
2. Documents the situation detailing the circumstances, threats, and other significant information.
3. Forwards all documents to HSB / ARMOR Section for proper documentation.

Question 13

Located Explosive Devices & Substances:

Personnel are cautioned against radio transmissions in the vicinity of the device as it could cause detonation. Land lines should be used when possible.

True or False?

Answer 13

True.

Question 14

Handling By Trained Personnel:

Department personnel, except _______ _______ _______, will not in any way handle, touch, or move an explosive device, either suspected or known.

Answer 14

ARMOR Bomb Technicians

Question 15

Handling By Trained Personnel:

Persons, other than members of ARMOR, locating an explosive or suspected explosive device will be advised to remain available for direct communication with an ARMOR supervisor.

True or False?

Answer 15

True.

Question 16

Handling By Trained Personnel:

When the _______ _______ determines a suspicious object is a suspected explosive device, ARMOR will be called to “render safe” the device.

Once this has occurred, an EDD will not be used to sniff a suspected explosive device.

When this process is complete, the EDD should be called to search the area for a second device.

If a second device is located, ARMOR will “render safe” the second device. The EDD will then continue to search until no further devices are located.

Answer 16

Incident Commander

Question 17

Handling By Trained Personnel:

What is the Patrol Officers responsibilities?

Answer 17

1. Responds to the scene and conducts preliminary investigation.
2. Establishes a 300 foot perimeter, 1200 foot for unprotected area, around the suspect device.
3. Search the area around the Command Post for secondary devices.
4. Gathers and controls witnesses.

Question 18

Handling By Trained Personnel:

What is the Field Supervisors responsibilities?

Answer 18

1 Responds to and assumes command of the scene. The field supervisor or senior officer in charge will remain at the scene in the vicinity of the device to brief the ARMOR supervisor of all relevant matters. Establishes Incident Command System (ICS) in accordance with Department Manual section 5/213.06 and completes ICS-AAR as required.

2. When the ranking field supervisor requests ARMOR, a responsible person from the establishment will be advised, by the field supervisor, of the potential for explosion and an evacuation of the premises will be initiated. At least two floors above and below the device should be evacuated in a high-rise building.
   a. Failure to respond to an evacuation order is a violation of NRS 475.070.
3. Assigns an additional officer to the primary location (see Command and Control) to assist in communications.
4. Remains at scene with the additional officer to assist ARMOR and prevent unauthorized access to the location of the device.

Question 19

Command and Control:

What are the two command and control locations that will be established when a device or suspected device is located?

Answer 19

1. The Tactical Operations Center

2. The Field Command Post

Question 20

Command and Control:

The Tactical Operations Center will be a place in the vicinity of the device determined suitable by ARMOR supervisor. Command of the primary location and all personnel assigned to it will rest solely with the _______ _______ _______.

Answer 20

Ranking ARMOR member

Question 21

Command and Control:

The Field Command Post will be operated and staffed, and a staging area established as for any unusual occurrence, by LVMPD personnel, who will be in charge of all field operations in connection with the explosive.

Investigative personnel will report to the field command post or staging area as directed, when arriving at the scene.

True or False?

Answer 21

True.

Question 22

Police Reports and Media Releases:

Department personnel will not release the following types of information on explosive devices to anyone outside law enforcement:

Answer 22

1. Type of explosive
2. Components
3. Packaging
4. Method used to detonate
5. Opinions as to why the device did or did not detonate
6. Techniques used by ARMOR to defeat or destroy the device.

Question 23

Police Reports and Media Releases:

Information for media releases or for department reports will be determined by conferring with the ARMOR supervisor, Counter Terrorism Bureau Commander or lieutenant, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and/or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

True or False?

Answer 23

True.

Question 24

Reports of Detonation:

At the Scene of Detonation, LVMPD personnel should utilize extreme caution at the scene of a detonation.

The possibility of a _______ _______ or _______ _______ should not be discounted.

Answer 24

Second device or unexploded charge

Question 25

Reports of Detonation:

In any case where an explosion has occurred, there is always the chance for the presence of unexploded bombs or a second device left by the suspect.

The _______ should be used to clear the crime scene prior to personnel entering and conducting investigations.

Answer 25

EDD

Question 26

Reports of Detonation:

At the post-blast scene, important evidence can be extremely small items blown a considerable distance from the center of the detonation.

These items can be very fragile and protection of the scene is extremely important.

True or False?

Answer 26

True.

Question 27

Reports of Detonation:

What are the Patrol Officers responsibilities?

Answer 27

1. Responds to the scene and provides any emergency assistance as required.
2. Conducts preliminary investigation
3. Establishes, at a minimum, 300 foot perimeter from any item that they can visually identify as evidence.
4. Searches C.P. for secondary devices.
5. Gathers and controls witnesses.
6. Completes Incident Report.

Question 28

Reports of Detonation:

What are the Patrol Supervisors responsibilities?

Answer 28

1. Makes contact with ARMOR for instructions regarding adjustment of the perimeter and other scene control concerns.
2. Determines the appropriate support personnel needed for security of the scene.
3. Maintains the perimeter until released by the ranking member of ARMOR, or the investigator functioning as liaison for ARMOR
4. Determines the need for an EDD to search for a second device. This request can come from ARMOR

Question 29

Reports of Detonation:

Who responds to the scene and assumes control of the crime scene and becomes the primary investigative unit.

Answer 29

ARMOR Section

Question 30

Reports of Detonation:

Investigation involving Deaths:

Answer 30

1. Homicide assumes command of the death investigation if death has occurred, ARMOR will maintain control of the post blast investigation.
2. Homicide detective coordinates with the ranking ARMOR member regarding the crime scene investigation. ARMOR will conduct any post-blast investigation under the direction of the ranking detective.