ShotSpotter Gunfire Alert System

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Questions and Answers

What is the established radius that officers should canvas around a ShotSpotter alert location for evidence, victims, and witnesses?

  • 10 meters
  • 100 meters
  • 25 meters (correct)
  • 50 meters

Under what specific circumstance are officers permitted to enter a private residence based solely on a ShotSpotter alert?

  • With verbal consent from a neighbor.
  • Under no circumstance without a search warrant.
  • If the alert indicates multiple shots fired.
  • When exigent circumstances exist or after obtaining written permission. (correct)

What action should officers take to engage the community during their canvas of a ShotSpotter alert location?

  • Conduct door-to-door interviews to gather information.
  • Organize a community meeting at the location.
  • Distribute Crime Stoppers program door hangers. (correct)
  • Request residents to review their personal video surveillance.

According to protocol, what information will 911 Dispatch or UPB Command provide to officers dispatched to a ShotSpotter alert?

<p>Location, time, and severity of the incident. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Besides contacting ShotSpotter Customer Service, what else should officers do when they suspect a ShotSpotter incident was improperly located?

<p>Advise the OPD ShotSpotter Program Manager. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When can officers request a Detailed Forensic Report of a ShotSpotter incident?

<p>For investigative and prosecution purposes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An officer is called to a residence after a ShotSpotter alert. Upon arrival, they hear shouting from inside but have no warrant and no explicitly articulated exigent circumstances. They ask Mrs. Smith, the homeowner, if they can enter to investigate, and she says 'I don't care, do whatever you want'. Can the officer legally enter the residence to investigate?

<p>No, because verbal permission alone is insufficient; written permission is required. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An officer responds to a ShotSpotter alert in an area bordering a known high-crime sector. After canvassing the designated 25-meter radius, the officer finds no immediate evidence or witnesses. Considering the policy and potential for delayed discovery, what is the MOST appropriate next step, assuming resources are not constrained?

<p>Return to the scene during daylight hours to re-canvas for additional witnesses or video evidence. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the ShotSpotter Gunfire Location Alert and Analysis Service, according to the provided policy?

<p>To enhance the Omaha Police Department's ability to effectively respond to and investigate violent crime involving gunfire. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of how ShotSpotter aids in investigations?

<p>By providing audio replays of the gunshot(s) and aiding in evidence collection at crime scenes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the policy, what should officers equipped with the ShotSpotter mobile app do before responding to an alert?

<p>Review the incident audio and alert details while en route to the scene, and notify 911 Dispatch. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If 911 Dispatch does not announce a ShotSpotter incident in a timely manner, which entity is responsible for ensuring a timely announcement?

<p>UPB command will announce “ShotSpotter indicates shots fired at (location)”. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a 'purple icon' on the ShotSpotter alert console typically indicate?

<p>Probable gunfire incident. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An officer receives a ShotSpotter alert on both their desktop computer and the ShotSpotter mobile app. What condition must be met to ensure they receive these alerts?

<p>The officer must be logged in to ShotSpotter to receive alerts via desktop OR the ShotSpotter app. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A ShotSpotter alert indicates a possible incident. Upon arriving at the scene, officers find no immediate evidence of gunfire, but the audio replay from ShotSpotter clearly captures the sound of distinct gunshots. Considering the policy, what action should officers prioritize next?

<p>Expand the search area based on the ShotSpotter radius and conduct a thorough investigation, taking the audio evidence into account. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Consider a scenario where consistently, incidents in a specific high-crime area are flagged by ShotSpotter with a 'white icon', further investigation reveals almost all of the events which triggered the alerts are due to a local construction company's frequent use of explosive demolition. Knowing that the goal of ShotSpotter integration is violent crime reduction, what change could be made to most improve the program's effectiveness in this situation?

<p>Adjust sensor sensitivity in the area to ignore sounds matching the frequency profile of the construction company's explosives, in order to prevent false alerts. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

ShotSpotter Alert Radius

Officers must investigate alerts within a 25-meter radius of the mapped dot.

Approach to Incident

Officers should approach cautiously, assuming suspects may still be armed.

Canvas Area

Victims, evidence, and witnesses within the 25-meter radius.

Entering Private Residence

A warrant, exigent circumstances, or written permission.

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Crime Stoppers Door Hangers

Place Crime Stoppers program door hangars on doors in the area during the canvas.

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Daylight Re-Canvas

Officers should revisit the scene in daylight to find additional witnesses or video evidence.

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Forensic Report Request

Contact the OPD ShotSpotter Program Manager.

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ShotSpotter Confidentiality

The location of sensors and coverage area must be kept confidential.

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ShotSpotter

A service using acoustic sensors to locate gunshots, enhancing police response and investigation.

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ShotSpotter's Purpose

To reduce violent crime and indiscriminate gunfire in the City of Omaha.

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ShotSpotter Alerts

Audible and visual notifications on Alert Consoles: desktops, Mobile Data Computers (MDC’s), or the ShotSpotter mobile app.

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ShotSpotter Login

Employees must remain logged into ShotSpotter (via desktop OR the ShotSpotter app).

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Alert Icon Colors

Yellow: Gunfire, Purple: Probable gunfire, White: Not gunfire.

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"View Incident" Option

View an overhead satellite view, showing the alert icon with the suspected number of rounds within a radius.

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911 Dispatch Role

911 Dispatch immediately announces the incident and location.

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Officer Action

Officers notify 911 Dispatch prior to responding to the alert. Review the incident audio and alert details en route.

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Study Notes

  • The ShotSpotter Gunfire Location Alert and Analysis Service enhances the Omaha Police Department’s ability to respond to and investigate violent crime involving gunfire.
  • Acoustic sensors identify the location of gunshots.
  • ShotSpotter incidents can be replayed to hear gunshots, collect evidence, and aid in investigations and prosecutions.
  • The service aims to reduce violent crime and indiscriminate gunfire in Omaha.
  • It is integrated into the OPD’s violent crime reduction efforts.

Initial Assessment

  • All Alert Consoles receive audible and visual notifications when a ShotSpotter Alert is sent.
  • Alerts appear on desktop computers, Mobile Data Computers (MDC’s), or the ShotSpotter mobile app.
  • Employees must be logged in to ShotSpotter to receive alerts.
  • The Alert icons show the number of shots fired during each incident within the designated color callout assigned to each incident.
  • Gunfire incidents have a yellow icon.
  • Probable gunfire incidents have a purple icon.
  • Non gunfire incidents have a white icon.
  • Officers will select the “View Incident” option as soon as feasible.
  • The screen displays an overhead satellite view of the incident, the Alert icon, and a radius indicating the suspected incident location.
  • 911 Dispatch announces the incident and location immediately.
  • UPB command monitors the incident announcement for timeliness.
  • If the announcement is not timely, UPB command will announce "ShotSpotter indicates shots fired at (location)."

Officer Response

  • Officers with the ShotSpotter mobile app will notify 911 Dispatch before responding to the alert, review the incident audio and alert details, and respond to the indicated location.
  • Incidents may have occurred within a 25-meter radius of the mapped dot.
  • Officers without the ShotSpotter mobile app will be dispatched to the alert location by 911 Dispatch with relevant information.
  • Responding officers must take a safe and strategic approach, considering that suspects may be armed and on-scene.
  • Responding officers adhere to OPD “Crime Scenes” policy procedures with exceptions of canvas the entire 25-meter radius and must not enter a private residence without a warrant based on a ShotSpotter Alert alone, unless certain circumstances exist.
  • Officers will place Crime Stoppers program door hangers on doors in the area during their canvas.
  • Officers may request helicopter assistance when appropriate, following the OPD “Helicopter Assistance” policy.
  • Officers should return to the scene during daylight hours to re-canvas for additional witnesses or video evidence.

Investigative Follow-Up

  • Officers may use the ShotSpotter Insight platform for further incident information.
  • For investigations and prosecutions, officers contact the OPD ShotSpotter Program Manager for Detailed Forensic Reports and expert witnesses.
  • ShotSpotter may occasionally capture audio just beyond system boundaries, requiring officers to contact ShotSpotter Customer Service for assistance.
  • If officers suspect improper location of a ShotSpotter incident, they should contact ShotSpotter Customer Service for review and advise the OPD ShotSpotter Program Manager.

Confidentiality

  • The location of ShotSpotter sensors and the covered area is confidential.
  • The info mentioned above shall not be disclosed to individuals outside the OPD unless directed by the Chief of Police or their designee.

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