1009 - Building Security

Security Guidelines for APD Facilities

• The security and protection of persons and property in APD facilities require a visible visitor and employee recognition system.
• Employees are responsible for maintaining standards and attitudes that contribute to this goal.
• The success of facility security depends on the total cooperation and commitment of employees to enforce required control measures.

Designation of Areas within Department Facilities

• Areas within APD facilities are designated as one of the following:
  • Restricted Access Area: Only authorized personnel or persons under escort are granted access due to sensitive nature of work.
  • Controlled Access Area: The public is allowed to access after receiving authorization from facility security personnel.
  • Public Access Area: The public is authorized to access.

Employee Identification and Access

• Employees are issued identification cards (APD ID), access cards, and keys to open doorways into authorized areas.
• APD ID features:
  • White in color
  • Officers have an image of the APD badge adjacent to their photo and rank preceding their name
  • Civilian employees have their photo and the word "EMPLOYEE" on the front
  • Retired employees have "RETIRED" in red uppercase text
  • Temporary, contract, and interns have a diagonal red field behind their photo and an expiration date

Visitor Guidelines

• Visitors with legitimate business at a Department facility must:
  • Check in with the front desk and state the nature of their business or the name of the APD employee or unit they are visiting
  • Present picture identification
  • Sign the appropriate visitor log
  • Visibly wear the issued visitor ID at all times
  • Be escorted and under observation while inside the facility

Screening Procedures for Investigative Units

• Visitors to Investigative Units at the Headquarters Building must be screened by the walk-through metal detector and may be subject to further screening if an alert occurs.
• Procedures for screening include:
  • Visitors place all belongings in a locker located in the Main Headquarters lobby
  • Visitors walk through the metal detector, which indicates the presence of metal substances
  • If the metal detector is activated, visitors are inspected using a handheld metal detector wand
  • Visitors may be frisked for weapons if the wand activates
  • Visitors who refuse to walk through the metal detector/wand will be frisked for weapons and will not enter the secure area until cleared

Employee Responsibilities

• Employees are responsible for:
  • Not changing or causing changes to access card authorizations without proper authorization
  • Not loaning access cards or keys to others
  • Wearing their APD ID when on premises of any APD facility (unless working in an official undercover capacity)
  • Allowing inspection of packages, parcels, and briefcases for hazardous materials and/or weapons
  • Stopping and inquiring about the nature of business of individuals not visibly displaying an APD ID, badge, or valid visitor's pass
  • Not accessing doors or elevators for others unless they recognize the person as an APD employee or the person is displaying an APD ID, badge, or valid visitor's pass
  • Not "propping open" doors or bypassing security mechanisms
  • Utilizing stairwells during emergency situations or when the elevator system ceases to function

Commander Responsibilities

• The Commander in charge of security at each facility is responsible for security plans and authorized access.
• Commanders responsible for security at each facility are:
  • Main Headquarters (Main): Downtown Area Command Commander
  • North Substation (N-Sub): North West Area Commander
  • Central East Substation (E-Sub): Central East Area Commander
  • South Substation (S-Sub): South West Area Commander
  • Rutherford Complex (OCD Building): Organized Crime Division Commander
  • Rutherford Complex (IAD/Recruiting Building): IAD Commander
  • Training Academy: Training Division Commander