Bank Robbery/Alarm Response Policy PDF

**BANK ROBBERY/ALARM RESPONSE POLICY** **PD99-0117** **I.  Purpose:** The purpose of this policy is to prescribe courses of action that police officers should take in response to alarms or robbery-in-progress reports at banks and other financial institutions. **II. Policy:** This policy recogni...

**BANK ROBBERY/ALARM RESPONSE POLICY** **PD99-0117** **I.  Purpose:** The purpose of this policy is to prescribe courses of action that police officers should take in response to alarms or robbery-in-progress reports at banks and other financial institutions. **II. Policy:** This policy recognizes the seriousness of bank and financial institutional robberies.  Responding to robberies in progress is one of the more dangerous activities that police officers must deal with.   Deaths and assaults due to officer complacency in responding to false alarms is another dangerous activity that confronts them on an daily basis.   It is essential that all members of the department understand their roles and responsibilities when responding to these dangerous activities.  Therefore, when responding to an Electronic Satellite Pursuit System (ESP) robbery,  robbery in progress, or silent alarm at these establishments, officers shall follow the procedures set-forth in this policy in order to enhance the possibility of suspect apprehension, and at the same time preserve  the safety of officers, institution employees, and citizens.  When bank(s) is mentioned in this policy it refers to all financial institutions banks and credit unions **III. Procedure:** **A. **Robbery In Progress  (Normal Response) **1. **When a robbery in progress report is received, the dispatcher will send three (3) uniform cars to the location. **a. **If the robbery notification is received by telephone directly from the bank or financial institution or witness, and confirmed, the dispatcher will handle as any other robbery in progress call,  and a complete description of the perpetrator(s) shall be obtained from the caller along with as much additional information as possible; particularly, whether the perpetrator(s) is still at the scene and, if not, his/her direction and mode of travel along with a complete description of any vehicle involved.  If perpetrators are still at the scene and inside the bank, dispatchers will follow the protocols for a hostage situation. **b. **On arrival, the first uniform car at the location will take up a position at the front of the bank or financial institution, and if possible out of sight from anyone inside the location and advise the dispatcher.  The second uniform car will take up a position at the rear of the institution. Using caution, officer(s) should attempt to prevent anyone from entering the banking establishment.   Confrontations with suspect(s) while they are inside the establishment should be avoided to reduce the possibility of a hostage situation. **c. **Armed robbers exiting an establishment following a robbery are in a high state of anxiety and excitement, therefore their actions are unpredictable.  Officers will seek protective cover,  and if circumstances permit, challenge the perpetrator(s) and attempt an apprehension. **B. **Normal Business Hours Bank Alarm Response **1. **GPS Electronic Satellite Pursuit System (ESP) Alarms **a. **911 Dispatcher Procedures -- ESP Alarm Activation **(1) **Dispatcher will enter a CAD call indicating a 40H **(2) **Broadcast a follow-up information to responding units **(a) **If CAD system is down, a dispatch card will be filled out and given to the appropriate dispatcher ASAP. **(3) **No mention of the ESP tracking technology will be mentioned over the radio.  Dispatcher will use the term "Package" when referring to the tracking device and when providing information to responding operations cars on the radio. **(a) **Caution Note:  the effectiveness of the system is based in large part on secrecy.  Personnel are responsible for maintaining the integrity of this system.  Consequently, personnel will not divulge knowledge of any aspect of this system with non-law enforcement personnel.  Records regarding the use of this technology are exempt from the "Access to Public Records Act" pursuant to Indiana Code 5-14-3-4(b)(10) as information that would jeopardize a security system. **b.** 911 Supervisor's Responsibilities **(1) **911 Supervisors and Police Department Information Operators will be required to log in to the 3si website at the beginning of each shift.  An icon for the website is located on the desktop of the computer.  The Supervisor will have the current log-in and password. **(2) **When ESP Alarm is activated, the Supervisor, or designated 911 employee will enter a CAD call with the following information: **(a) **Address **(b) **Bank Name **(c) **Type of Activation (teller or vault) **(d) **Status of "Package" (moving or stationary) **(e) **If "Package" is moving, include --   Current location --   Direction of Travel --   Speed --   Age, or time lapse between satellite updates --   Accuracy, or estimated accuracy of location in feet --   Nearest reported address if available **c. **911 Dispatcher's Procedures **(1) **Dispatcher receiving CAD call will dispatch the appropriate amount of units for a 40H to the bank and notify a Patrol Supervisor. **(2) **When the actual robbery is verified, the dispatcher will follow normal protocol for dispatching a signal 53. (Multi-talk group broadcast with alert tones)  The initial response will be to the bank. **(3) **When "Package" moving is verified, the dispatcher will dispatch two (2) additional cars and a Patrol Supervisor to the current location of the "Package."  (units will be moved to a TAC talk-group) **(4) **It may be necessary to patch the TAC talk-group and the primary talk-group responding to the scene of the robbery together to coordinate and disseminate information i.e., vehicle/suspect(s) descriptions etc. **(a) **The dispatcher will continue to update responding units as to: --   Direction of Travel --   Speed --   Accuracy --   Age --   Nearest reported address, if available **(5) **When responding units indicate that a stop or pursuit is going to be initiated the dispatcher will un-patch the talk-groups and another dispatcher will be assigned to handle the stop or pursuit on the TAC talk-group. **(6) **In the event there is separation of "Packages" from the same incident, the dispatcher will dispatch two (2) additional cars and a Patrol Supervisor to the current location of the 2nd tracking "Package" and assign those units to a separate TAC talk-group. **(7) **When it is determine that the situation is under control, the entire incident may be moved to a TAC talk-group and the main group will resume normal operations. **d.**  Uniform Operations Response **(1) **On receiving a 40H or signal 53 dispatch, two (2) uniform cars will be sent to the scene and a Patrol Supervisor will be notified. **(2) **On being notified of a moving "Package" two (2) uniform cars and a Patrol Supervisor will be dispatched to the current location of the "Package" and dispatch will move them to a TAC talk-group where a dispatcher will update them with information. **(a) **Officers are reminded that all radio traffic shall refer to the item as the "Package" and refrain from discussion as to the technology or use of the system over the radio. **(3) **The Patrol Supervisor dispatched to the moving "Package" is responsible for taking control of the response and will direct his/her units accordingly. **(4) **Using available information, units responding to the location of the moving "Package" will use Probable Cause and current Policy and Procedures when determining to stop a suspect or vehicle. **(a) **The Patrol Supervisor and responding units will use current policy and procedures concerning the felony arrest of perpetrators, protection of evidence and impounding of suspect vehicles. **2.** Silent Bank Alarms **a.** Dispatched as a "Signal 40B" -- When a silent alarm is activated, the respective dispatcher will send two (2) uniform cars to the location.  There will be no use of red lights and sirens by uniform cars within the last two (2) miles as they approach the scene.  The dispatcher will immediately notify other agencies of  the alarm. **3.** Procedures On arrival -- Officers will not enter the bank **a. **The first unit on the scene will cover the main entrance to the bank and by radio place the second unit at the rear of the bank. **b.** All units involved will let Communications know when they are in position. **c.** The units on the scene will then advise Communications as to what exit they wish the bank person to use. **4. **Units on the scene should cover the front and rear of the bank from a corner of the bank building so that all sides can be observed. **a.** An attempt should be made to use invisible deployment tactics and a safe distance should be maintained. **b.** All units should be close enough to prevent anyone from entering the bank. **5.** The dispatcher will make a phone call to the bank and advise them of the alarm with a code-in system. **a.** The dispatcher will ask to speak to Mr. Greenlost and the Bank Manager's response will be the code for that branch if no problem exists. **b.** The dispatcher will then advise police units on the scene that contact has been made and give the specific description of the bank person in charge. **6.** When the bank person in charge exits, officers will observe the person closely. **a. **It is essential to note if this person has anything in his or her hands and if a coat, jacket, suit, sweater or any other covering is worn that could conceal a weapon,  the officer(s) should have this person open the worn item so that a weapon, if present, may be observed. **7. **When all officers are satisfied that the person exiting is indeed the right person, he/she will ask the person to approach with caution. **a.** The bank person in charge must then approach the officer(s). **b.** If the bank person does anything other than directly approach the officer(s) that action will be interpreted as a potential robbery/hostage situation. **8. **If it has been established that a robbery is in fact in progress and suspect(s) are inside, policies and procedures for a hostage situation should be followed. **a.** Police units on the scene will maintain their positions and await the special units to arrive and take command. **9.** If it is determined to be a false alarm, the reset procedure should be handled over the phone during or after the bank person's consultation with the officer(s). **10. **When Bank branches are located in retail stores, the officer(s) will use invisible deployment tactics and two (2) police units will be dispatched. **a.** The officer(s) should attempt to restrict the flow of people into the store as much as possible, and should carefully observe those persons who are exiting the store for their own safety. **C. **Procedures After Normal Banking Hours **1. **Dispatched as a "Signal 40B" -- in the event an alarm is tripped after the bank's lobby is closed, the officer(s) will respond in the normal manner as a regular bank alarm. **2.** After police units are on the scene, the dispatcher will make the normal call for Mr. Greenlost to get the proper disregard. **a.** The teller will not leave the building and will place a Florescent Green placard in the window so that officer(s) can see this as an all clear signal. **b. **Any other action other than placing the placard in view for the officer(s) will be interpreted as a potential robbery situation. **3. **Reset procedures will be handled over the phone so as not to tie up police unit. **D. **Bank Circuit Alarms **1. **Dispatched as a "Signal 40C" -- when a circuit alarm is received during normal business hours, Communications will call the bank and go through the normal Bank Alarm Disregard Procedure. **a.** Upon receiving the proper disregard, the dispatcher will then advise bank personnel that it is a "Circuit Alarm," and not an "Intrusion Alarm." **b. **No officers will be dispatched unless the proper disregard is not received over the phone. **2.** If a Circuit Alarm is received when the bank is closed, Communications will dispatch two (2) officers to check the bank and make sure that the building is secure unless an officer advises that he/she will respond solo. **a.** Communications will contact a representative of the bank to make them aware of the problem **b. **The bank representative will not necessarily have to respond to the bank unless there is a problem, or the officer(s) request them for some reason. **E. **Bank ATM Alarms **1.** Dispatched as "Signal 40ATM," -- an alarm received from an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) will not be dispatched as a "Signal 40B."  An ATM alarm will be dispatched and handled as a regular alarm received from any business. **a. **Two (2) officers will be dispatched unless an officer advised he/she will handle the alarm solo. **b.** The dispatcher will contact a representative of the ATM and advise them of the alarm while the officer(s) are responding and will not wait until the officer(s) have checked the ATM. **F. **Confirmed Bank Robbery Procedures **1. **When a Bank Robbery call is confirmed to be legitimate, the primary Police dispatch channel on which the call was dispatched, either NW DIV or SW DIV, will go signal 100, for up to 30 minutes.   By placing the original dispatch channel in this restricted-use mode, the frequency will remain clear of non-essential and/or confusing radio traffic during the initial stages of the department's response to the incident.  This will allow the original responders to broadcast moment-by-moment incident, suspect, or vehicle data to other officers converging into the area. At any time within that first 30-minutes any supervisor may request that Communications identify a specific TAC channel and re-direct all incident radio traffic to that channel for the remainder of the investigation.  The transition from the main dispatching channel to a TAC channel should be requested when the sergeant or commander perceives that the initial radio traffic has subsided to a point where a safe channel transition can be effected, without disrupting the continuity of dialog between first responders, detectives, and the dispatcher. **2. **During this same time period, all non-robbery dispatching will be re-directed to a radio channel identified by the communications center. **G. **Responding Officer's Responsibilities **1.** Responding officers shall use appropriate vehicular warning devices when approaching the scene, but the lights and siren will not be used within the hearing range of the reported robbery location. **2. **Units responding to the scene should be observant of any suspicious vehicles leaving the scene location as well as other vehicles or persons outside of the financial establishment that may be acting as look-outs, cover or drivers for the robbery perpetrator(s). **3.** The uniform officer(s) reporting to the front of the banking institution will act as the primary investigating unit. **4.** If a robbery in progress is suspected, the primary unit or supervisor shall determine whether to request additional backup C.R.T.or E.S.T. unit call-out. **a.** If at all possible, officers shall wait until the suspect(s) have exited the building before attempting apprehension to avoid any possible hostage situation.  Officers whenever possible, have a duty and responsibility to protect the safety of persons who may be entering the establishment while the robbery is still in progress, and this should be done if it can be accomplished without substantial risk of alerting the robbery suspect(s) still inside the establishment. There can be no inflexible rule to follow in these instances and officers must be guided by circumstances at hand. **b. **If suspect(s) have been apprehended, the crime scene shall be secured in preparation for crime scene processing. **c. **If a robbery has been committed and the perpetrator(s) have left the scene, the primary unit should begin preparation of the initial incident report by identifying witnesses, caring for any injured parties, protecting evidence and the crime scene and obtaining necessary information regarding the perpetrators for any additional broadcasts. **d.** All remaining units should initiate a search for the perpetrator(s) covering any likely or possible escape routes being alert to unusual activities and circumstances such as switching vehicles, discarding articles of clothing etc. **H. **Officer(s) Off-Duty Response **1.** It is not uncommon for officer(s) to encounter armed robberies while they are off-duty and in plainclothes. **a.** Officer(s) responding to robberies in progress or bank alarms while off-duty, and  while operating their take-home vehicle shall identify themselves to the dispatcher and advise of their location. **b.** In circumstances where the robbery is interrupted by the officer(s), they will act to protect him/her self and other citizens. Under certain circumstances officer(s) may elect to take no action due to a tactical disadvantage, but elect to observe and gather information concerning the perpetrator(s). **I.**  Investigative Support Response **1.** The Robbery Section supervisor (or designated representative) and at least one other detective supervisor will respond to the scene of the robbery.   The Robbery Section supervisor will assume control of the investigation and direct all investigative efforts at the scene.  While the Robbery Section supervisor is occupied with the investigation inside the bank, the second detective supervisor will work with the Robbery Section supervisor and Uniform supervisors to ensure that scene all perimeters are adequately established and protected.  The second detective supervisor will also monitor all incident radio traffic and coordinate any police response at a different location involving a "drop-vehicle" or the apprehension of a possible suspect(s). **2.** All available Robbery Section detectives will make the scene in an efficient, but cautious manner.  For detectives, an emergency or signal-84 response is not normally necessary, unless circumstances dictate otherwise. **3.** The Northeast Indiana Bank Robbery Task Force will be notified/paged by communications.  The response of  Task Force members will vary from incident to incident, but communications will keep the Robbery Section supervisor appraised of all dialog from Task Force members telephoning into the Communications Center. **4.** All other available Investigative Division personnel should converge into the general area of the robbery, all the while being on the lookout for suspects/vehicles fleeing the vicinity of the crime.  Responding detectives will alert communications that they are responding to the area, and be available for other incident-related assistance.  Investigators will be available to make the scene of any suspect/vehicle apprehension, and to interview any witnesses or neighboring businesses.  These units should not respond in an emergency/signal-84 fashion, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.