Explosive Device Calls Procedure PDF

KANSAS CITY MISSOURI POLICE DEPARTMENT DATE OF ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NO. PROCEDURAL INSTRUCTION 12-26-2019 12-26-2019 19-10 SUBJECT...

KANSAS CITY MISSOURI POLICE DEPARTMENT DATE OF ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NO. PROCEDURAL INSTRUCTION 12-26-2019 12-26-2019 19-10 SUBJECT AMENDS Explosive Device Calls REFERENCE RESCINDS PI 14-08 I. PURPOSE To outline procedures for the safety of the public and members responding to calls where an explosive device is reported or suspected. II. POLICY A. Department members will follow the outlined procedures, using the utmost caution during the handling of suspected explosive device calls. B. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO DISCONTINUE USE OF AND TURN OFF ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITHIN ONE HUNDRED YARDS (THE LENGTH OF A FOOTBALL FIELD). Once a known device is confirmed all members will discontinue the use of electronic devices. Electronic devices may detonate an explosive device. III. PROCEDURE A. When the Communications Unit receives a call on a suspected explosive device within this Department’s jurisdiction, unit personnel will: 1. Advise the caller to have all personnel (e.g., private security guards) discontinue use of and turn off all electronic equipment within one hundred yards of the scene. 2. Relay all available information to the responding supervisor and officer. (e.g., location, and time set to explode, if known.) 3. During normal business hours notify Patrol Bureau Office personnel, the affected Division Commander and Assistant Division Commander. During non-business hours when the Patrol Bureau Office is not open, the Duty Officer and the affected Assistant Division Commander (or designee) will be notified. B. Explosive Device Calls General Procedures *1. Upon receiving the information via telephone from the Communications Unit, the responding members will: a. Proceed immediately to the location of the reported explosive device.  b. Contact the person in charge of the location and advise them of the nature of the call. If requested by the person in charge, quietly evacuate everyone from the structure and/or area. Caution must be used not to excite the persons being evacuated. Before evacuating a structure or area, consider the following: (1) Credibility/validity of the threat. (2) Complexity of the evacuation, e.g., size of the structure and/or area, number of occupants. (3) Attempt to check/search the evacuation path and location for other devices prior to evacuation. (4) Desire and judgment of the person in charge of the structure and/or area. (5) Pedestrian and vehicular traffic, which would need to be rerouted. (6) Staging area for media personnel. 2. The responding supervisor or Assistant Division Commander will determine whether the Explosive Detection Dog Team (EDD) will be requested to search the location for a suspected explosive device. a. Requests for the EDD Team will be made through the dispatcher via telephone. b. In cases where an EDD Team is requested, it will not be necessary to await their arrival before beginning a search. Representatives of the structure may voluntarily assist the officers by searching only those areas with which they are familiar and will be instructed not to touch or move any unusual or unfamiliar items. c. If a search is to be conducted by the EDD Team, the immediate search area should be discreetly evacuated prior to the arrival of the EDD Team. This procedure is recommended due to some individuals’ fear of dogs and to assist the EDD Team in maintaining uninterrupted attention to the search. 3. If the person in charge of the structure does not want a search conducted, or if a search is conducted and an explosive device is not found, the members will return to service. The member originally dispatched will complete the appropriate report in the Records Management System (RMS). -2- C. Explosive Device Confirmed 1. When a suspected explosive device is discovered by members conducting a physical search of the location, members will be aware of the likelihood/possibility of secondary explosive devices. 2. An assembly point at least one hundred yards from the scene will be determined by the on-scene field commander/supervisor. The assembly point will: a. Be large enough to accommodate a Fire Department pumper truck, ladder truck and Battalion Chief’s vehicle; a service truck and supervisor’s vehicle for each utility; an ambulance; and the Bomb and Arson Section bomb truck (size of a fire truck). *b. Be swept and secured by members and an EDD Team with spotter for possible secondary explosive devices. 3. The Communications Unit supervisor will notify the Bomb and Arson Section supervisor. 4. The supervisor at the scene will: a. Contact the Communications Unit supervisor via telephone and relay all available information (e.g., exact location, size, etc.). b. Direct the responding member(s) to commence evacuation of the area. In doing so, members should pay particular attention to evacuating the floors below and above the device. An officer may use reasonable physical force to effect removal of a person who refuses to evacuate a building. c. After the area has been evacuated, secure the area and ensure that no one, including members, go near the suspected explosive device, with the exception of the Bomb and Arson Section personnel. d. Attempt to establish formal communication with a responsible party representing the interests of the property involved. (1) Give appropriate updates unless otherwise directed by the on-scene commander. (2) Once the area has been cleared of any explosive device, persons who have been evacuated will be advised of the “all clear” and be allowed to enter the facility. -3-  (3) In the supervisor's absence, the primary member who received the initial call will assume the liaison responsibilities. 5. Response by Bomb and Arson Section personnel will be limited to incidents involving known or suspected explosive device(s) and commercial or military explosives/ordnance. Response to incidents involving reactive chemicals and hazardous materials or substances will be in accordance with the current written directive entitled, “Emergency Operations Procedure.” 6. Upon the arrival of Bomb and Arson Section personnel, they shall have command and control of all duties related to the explosive device. 7. If an explosive device is confirmed by the Bomb and Arson Section, they will request the Communications Unit personnel to notify the Fire Department and necessary utility companies to respond to the assembly point without delay. 8. When an explosive device is found in a place where detonation would produce serious injury or property damage, e.g., attached to a car or placed in a house the appropriate report will be completed in RMS. D. The Bomb and Arson Section will respond to any agency listed as a Mutual Aid agency upon approval by a Bureau Commander. Richard C. Smith Chief of Police Adopted by the Board of Police Commissioners this ___day of __________2020. Nathan Garrett Board President DISTRIBUTION: All Department Personnel Department Master Index – Intranet Policy Acknowledgement SyStem -4-