Omaha Police Department Silent Alarm Policy PDF

**ALARMS -- SILENT ALARMS -- FINANCIAL INSTITUTION AND PHARMACIES** **CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: THIS POLICY IS CONFIDENTIAL IN ITS ENTIRETY.** **PREAMBLE:** The Omaha Police Department (OPD) developed its silent alarm response policy with the assistance of several financial institutions. This pol...

**ALARMS -- SILENT ALARMS -- FINANCIAL INSTITUTION AND PHARMACIES** **CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: THIS POLICY IS CONFIDENTIAL IN ITS ENTIRETY.** **PREAMBLE:** The Omaha Police Department (OPD) developed its silent alarm response policy with the assistance of several financial institutions. This policy for financial institutions follows a call-back system which involves the interaction between the financial institution, OPD, and Douglas County Communications Department (DC 911). Historically, each cooperating financial institution had its own designated call-back number and authorized contact person; however, due to the large number of financial institution consolidations and reorganizations, not all financial institutions have designated call-back numbers or authorized contact employees. The procedures contained within this policy do not require strict adherence to the historic silent alarm response policy, but officers should be aware that some financial institutions may still follow the historic aspects of that policy. The OPD and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) jointly investigate robberies of FDIC-protected financial institutions and armored vehicles that occur within the Omaha city limits. In recent years, pharmacies have begun to use silent alarms to track certain prescription medications. These silent alarms are GPS-enabled mobile security devices that are triggered when the prescription medications are moved without authorization. Officers should respond to a silent alarm call at a pharmacy in the same way they would respond to a silent alarm call at a financial institution. **DEFINITIONS:** [Bait Bills]: Pre-recorded, serial numbered currency from tellers' cash drawers. [Dye Packs]: Explosive money packs that produce a colored marker. [Global Positioning System (GPS)]: A system of satellites and ground stations monitored by the U.S. Air Force to provide accurate latitude, longitude, and altitude information to dedicated receivers. [Man Traps]: A building exit that requires a person to exit the facility through two doors. The doors can be locked, trapping the person in a breezeway and preventing them from leaving. [Mobile Security Device (MSD)]: A security device that is mobile in nature and used for the purpose of personal safety and/or asset protection. This device may be installed in or attached to motor vehicles, electronics, merchandise, etc. [Mobile Unit / Electronic Satellite Pursuit (ESP)]: GPS tracking system which uses a combination of cellular signals and global positioning to track a GPS tracking device disguised to look like bills or attached to certain medications within a pharmacy. [Signal 20]: Dispatch will use this radio code on a **primary dispatch** channel when a GPS tracking device (Mobile Unit) is activated during a robbery. Dispatch will then direct officers and command to switch to an encrypted **B zone** radio channel to hear details of the crime such as suspect location, suspect descriptions, and direction and speed of travel, etc. **POLICY:** It is the policy of the OPD that, when a silent alarm is triggered at a financial institution or pharmacy, officers will not enter the building until the alarm has been verified as an actual crime in progress call. When responding to a verified crime in progress call, officers will adjust their response to the situation based on information received from either DC 911 or employees of the financial institution or pharmacy. A call-back is required from DC 911 to the financial institution or pharmacy prior to officers making entry. **PROCEDURE:** **I. Calls Received by DC 911** A. When a silent alarm is received by DC 911 from a financial institution or pharmacy, a minimum of two (2) units will be dispatched to include a primary and a backup officer. B. As soon as the officers are dispatched and prior to officers making entry, DC 911 will initiate a confirmation call to an employee at the alarmed facility to attempt to determine whether the alarm is real or false. C. Upon arrival at the facility, the officers may choose not to enter the building until an employee meets them at a designated area. This procedure may be followed regardless of whether the alarm is real or false. D. Officers will assess the location of the alarm call and consider that many financial institutions and pharmacies are located inside non-traditional buildings. These facilities often have limited employees who may not be able to meet officers outside. **II. Financial Institution / Pharmacy Employees** **III. Alarm Response** D. Plainclothes Officers [EXAMPLE]: "Signal 20. 2Adam64 and 2Adam65, Command 60, switch to B-3 for information." ([Officer and command will switch to encrypted channel B-3 for further information at this time)]. "A bank robbery just occurred at the Great Western Bank located at 24^th^ and "L" Streets. The Mobile Unit has been dispatched. It is now traveling eastbound on "L" Street from 24^th^ Street. Rate of speed appears to be 45 mph. A possible suspect vehicle is a blue four-door sedan. The suspect is described as a white male, wearing a brown jacket and blue jeans. The suspect indicated he had a gun, but none was shown. It is unknown if other suspects are in the vehicle. The Mobile Unit is now northbound on 13^th^ Street crossing "B" Street, still northbound. All cars responding, the Mobile Unit has stopped at 13^th^ and Vinton Streets." **REFERENCES:** **I. Previous OPD Orders**