Boca Raton Police Services Department Response to Robberies/Burglaries in Progress PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 41.22 RESPONSE TO ROBBERIES/BURGLARIES IN PROGRESS Revised: September 22, 2021 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to provide employees with guidelines concerning the response to crimes possibly and/or...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 41.22 RESPONSE TO ROBBERIES/BURGLARIES IN PROGRESS Revised: September 22, 2021 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to provide employees with guidelines concerning the response to crimes possibly and/or in progress. II. PROCEDURE: A. ROBBERY IN PROGRESS RESPONSE: 1. If emergency lights and sirens are used, LEOs shall discontinue use before arriving within hearing distance of the scene. 2. LEOs shall drive with caution and observe all exit routes from the scene. 3. A route should be followed that will keep the police vehicle hidden from the suspect until the last possible moment. 4. If the crime has just occurred, a back-up LEO should cover a likely escape route from the scene. 5. If the crime is in progress, LEOs assigned should proceed directly to the scene. 6. When approaching the scene, LEOs shall turn down the radio and secure noisy equipment. such as keys. 7. LEOs shall approach the scene on foot from a tactical advantage that shall allow them from being seen. 8. LEOs shall scan the scene for a lookout or getaway vehicle. 9. LEOs shall observe what is going on through the best use of cover and concealment without being observed by the suspect(s). 10. LEOs shall never enter a building alone during a robbery. 11. LEOs shall treat all silent hold-up alarms as genuine and be aware of diversionary tactics or an ambush by the suspect(s). 12. LEOs shall be alert for plainclothes LEOs at the robbery scene. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: September 22, 2021 Response to Robberies/Burglaries in Progress SOP No. 41.22 Page 1 of 3 13. When encountering suspects still on the scene, LEOs shall try to wait until the suspect(s) make his/her exit before challenging them because the suspect(s) are less likely to take a hostage. 14. When giving verbal direction, LEOs shall make sure that they have already taken cover and/or concealment and are at a tactical advantage over the suspect(s). The preferred area for the LEO shall be behind the engine block of the police vehicle. 15. LEOs shall avoid using firearms if there is any chance of endangering bystanders. 16. If the suspect(s) take a hostage, LEOs shall never give up his/her weapons. See Standard Operating Procedure 46.11 Crisis Negotiation Team. 17. If there are injuries at the scene, LEOs will attend to the injuries and summon Fire Rescue Services to stage in a safe nearby location. If Fire Rescue Services cannot enter a scene and the injuries are life threatening, the LEO shall transport the injured in his/her vehicle to the Fire Rescue Services staging area. 18. When the scene is secure, LEOs will notify Fire Rescue Services, so that they can enter the scene to treat the injured. 19. If a robbery is established and the suspects have fled, LEOs will issue a BOLO as soon as possible. B. 20. LEOs will preserve the crime scene. 21. LEOs will collect statements from all witnesses. 22. Any plainclothes officer arriving on the scene must call 10-97 with their call sign. BURGLARY IN PROGRESS RESPONSE: 1. If emergency lights and sirens are used, LEOs shall discontinue use before arriving within hearing distance of the scene. 2. When approaching the scene, LEOs shall be on the lookout for suspicious vehicles, persons, and note escape routes. 3. LEOs shall attempt to stop a reasonable distance from the residence or business at the best point for observation, cover, and concealment. 4. LEOs shall give his/her location and coordinate approaching back-up unit and other available units in setting up the perimeter. 5. A Road Patrol supervisor or his/her designee has the ultimate responsibility for setting up the perimeter. 6. LEOs shall be on alert for plainclothes LEOs. 7. Detectives shall notify dispatchers when responding. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: September 22, 2021 Response to Robberies/Burglaries in Progress SOP No. 41.22 Page 2 of 3 8. LEOs shall observe the scene for lookouts, suspect vehicles, tools, ladders escape routes and suspect(s) places of concealment. 9. LEOs shall attempt to maintain an element of surprise. 10. LEOs shall consider the use of the K-9 team. 11. LEOs shall consider the use of PBSO/BSO helicopters. 12. LEOs shall consider the use of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Team. 13. LEOs shall locate and secure the entry point. 14. LEOs shall attempt to determine if suspect(s) are still inside the residence or business. 15. If a search of the building is to be performed, LEOs should obtain as much information as possible regarding the interior. 16. If a K9 team is not available, the LEOs should complete the search as a team. 17. Immediately after searching an area, the LEOs should secure the crime scene. 18. LEOs should maintain the integrity of the perimeter until released by searching LEOs or supervisors. Approved: Michele Miuccio Chief of Police Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: September 22, 2021 Date: Response to Robberies/Burglaries in Progress SOP No. 41.22 Page 3 of 3