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Applicable To: Sworn and Communications Personnel |
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Approval Authority: Major Darryl Tolleson |
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Signature: Signed by RJP |
Date
Signed: 8 |
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1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this section command memorandum is to establish guidelines for airport section police personnel when handling unattended/suspicious bag(s)/ item(s) and suspected explosive device calls. Should the unattended bag/item be a letter/ package or a possible chemical or biological hazard then the procedures established in APD.SOP.3086, “High Risk Situations,” will be adhered to.
2. POLICY
It is the City of Atlanta Police Department, Airport Section's Policy that all unattended/suspicious bag(s) item(s) and suspected explosive device calls are immediately investigated to determine any hazard potential. Officers will exercise the utmost care in these investigations to ensure protection to the traveling public, tenants and themselves while at the airport.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 It is the responsibility of the watch commander to ensure compliance with this Section Command Memorandum.
3.2 It is the responsibility of all sworn employees to be familiar with the written directive APD.SOP.3182 “Bomb Threats.”
3.3 It is the responsibility of all sworn employees to be familiar with written directive APD.SOP.3086 “High Risk Situations.”
3.4 It is the responsibility of watch supervisors, during suspicious bag(s)\item(s) or suspected explosive device calls, to provide for crowd control and notification of the K-9 Explosive Detection and Bomb Squad.
3.5 It is the responsibility of the field supervisor to respond to the scene of all suspicious bag/ item and suspected explosive device calls.
4. ACTION
4.1 The E-911 Dispatcher upon receipt of a call for service on an unattended bag(s)/item(s) will:
4.1.1 immediately dispatch a police officer to the location of the unattended bag(s)/item(s) or suspected explosive device.
4.1.2 Notify the on duty police supervisor of the location of the unattended bag(s)/item(s), who made the call and all pertinent information gathered.
4.1.3 When a suspicious bag/item is upgraded to a Suspected Explosive Device, the dispatcher will amend the CAD dispatch signal to a Signal 73 and enter Code 25 in the comment field. The dispatcher will make notification to all agencies listed on the Bomb Threat Notification Check List.
4.2 Unattended Bag(s) or item(s)
4.2.1 Upon arrival on an unattended bag(s) or item(s) the initial responding officer will:
4.2.2 Determine if the bag(s) or item(s) is unattended, suspicious or a suspected explosive device. The determination should be accomplished by visually inspecting the package for Explosive Components being careful not to disturb the suspect package.
4.2.3 Attempt to locate the owner by, paging the owner if identification is on the bag, contact the airline if a baggage check is on the bag, and inquire of persons in the immediate area. If unable to locate the owner, the officer will upgrade an unattended bag(s) or item(s) to a suspicious bag(s) or item(s) and handle as such.
4.2.4 If the initial responding officer determines that the bag(s) or item(s) is unattended, the officer will take charge of the property and will take charge of it and turn it in to the tenant, AATC, or the Atlanta Police Property Management Section.
4.2.5 If there is any doubt as to the potential threat nature of the bag(s) or item(s), then the initial responding officer will request the assistance of a supervisor before proceeding with his or her investigation.
4.3 Suspicious Bag(s) or item(s)
4.3.1 If the initial responding officer determines that the bag(s) or item(s) is suspicious, he/she will notify a supervisor and request a Bomb Detection K-9 Unit and will:
4.3.2 Ensure that the public is maintained a safe distance from a suspicious bag(s) or item(s). In the event the package is discovered to be an explosive device a minimum distance of 300 feet will be maintained away from the device.
4.3.3 Ensure that a suspicious bag(s) or item(s) is not disturbed or moved by anyone until the Bomb Technician makes a determinations it is not a danger to the public.
4.3.4 Limit wireless communications near a suspicious bag(s) or item(s), due to the possibility that such communications may detonate an explosive device, use a hardwire telephone whenever feasible.
4.3.5 Remain at the location of a suspicious bag(s) or item(s) until relieved by a supervisor, or a member of the K-9 Explosive Detection or Bomb Squad.
4.3.6 Complete all necessary preliminary Investigation report(s).
4.3.7 Ensure that the bag(s) or item(s) are turned into the tenant or AATC after they have been cleared by a supervisor or bomb technician. If the tenant or AATC refuses to accept it, the bag(s) or item(s) will be turned into the Atlanta Police Department Property Control Section.
4.3.8 Notify the on scene AATC or Tenant representative the disposition of his or her preliminary investigation.
4.4 Police Supervisors, during all suspicious bag(s) or item(s) and explosive device calls, will:
4.4.1 Respond to the scene and if necessary, establish a command post and ensure that all responding agencies are made aware of its location.
4.4.2 Coordinate with the Fire Department, tenant, AATC and Airport Operations in setting up a perimeter, and assist supervising in crowd control. Once the suspect package has been upgraded to a Code 25 ensure that the Suspected Explosive Device is not moved or disturbed by anyone.
4.4.3 Ensure that all notifications are made. The Bomb Notification Check List will be used as a guide. A copy of which is attached.
4.4.4 Establish a safe area away from the package and keep all civilians and police personnel away from the suspect explosive device. Ensure that the public is moved away from anything that might harm them should detonation occur, i.e., plate glass windows.
4.4.5 If evacuation is required, coordinate with the Fire Department, tenant, AATC and Airport Operations, keeping in mind the possibility of a second or multiple explosive devices.
4.5 Suspected Explosive Devices will be handled as a Bomb Threat.
4.6 If after a K-9 team checks the bag, with no alert, and suspicion is still strong, a supervisor may request a bomb technician to check the bag.
4.7 All requests for a member of the K-9 Explosive Detection or Bomb Squad will be made to the K-9 Explosive Detection / Bomb Squad Supervisor.
5. DEFINITIONS
5.1 A.A.T.C. - Atlanta Airlines Terminal Corporation
5.2 BOMB TECHNICIAN- The only person(s) authorized, trained and certified by the FBI Hazardous Devices School to handle and render safe explosives, WMD’s, and Improvised Explosive Devices.
5.3 EXPLOSIVE COMPONENT - anything that may be or appear to be part of a bomb, e.g., electrical wires, wires attached to clocks, blasting caps, switches, etc.
5.4 IED- Improvised Explosive Device. A device consisting of an explosive material and firing components necessary to initiate the device.
5.5 K-9 EXPLOSIVE DETECTION TEAM & BOMB SQUAD - A squad assigned to the airport section trained for the detection and rendering safe of Improvised Explosive Devices, WMD’s, Explosives, and military ordinances. within the Specialized Unit. It includes the K-9 Bomb Detection Teams and Bomb Technicians.
5.6 K-9 EXPLOSIVE DETECTION TEAM- A team consisting of one handler and one canine trained and certified by TSA to detect explosive odor.
5.7 MILITARY ORDNANCE- military weapons of all kinds.
5.8 OPEN BOMB-the components of an explosive device are visible by an open container or the suspect device appears to be an immediate threat to the public, e.g., Pipe bomb, Military Ordinance, etc.
5.9 SUSPICIOUS BAG(S) or ITEM(S) - Factors which might indicate a bag(s)or item(s) is suspicious are:
5.9.1 IS THE BAG(S) OR ITEM(S) ABANDON? How long has the bag(s) or item(s) been at the location?
5.9.2 LOCATION: is the bag(s) or item(s) near any areas that would cause maximum damage or injuries?
5.9.3 TYPE BAG(S) OR ITEM(S): is the bag old or new?
5.9.4 IDENTIFICATION ON THE BAG(S) OR ITEM(S)?
5.9.5 Possible suspicious activity.
5.9.6 Noises emitting from the bag(s) or item(s)?
5.9.7 Suspicious Bag(s) or Item(s) will be handled as a Bomb Threat Level 3.
5.9.8 THESE ARE NOT THE ONLY FACTORS, WHICH MIGHT INDICATE A BAG, IS SUSPICIOUS. THE OFFICER WILL HAVE TO USE HIS OR HER TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE TO MAKE FURTHER DETERMINATION IF A BAG IS SUSPICIOUS OR NOT.
5.10 SUSPECTED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
5.10.1 When a threat call is received and any of the following information is given: location, description, how the device was built or how it works and a box, package, suitcase or container is found.
5.10.2 Any component of an explosive device is visible to the officer.
5.10.3 Any set of circumstances that might lead an officer to believe a box, package, suit case or container is an explosive device.
5.10.4 A Suspected Explosive Device will be handled as a Bomb Threat Level 1 and the Bomb Tech Supervisor will immediately be notified.
5.10.5 When investigating suspected explosive devices officers must be mindful of secondary explosive devices at or near the primary device.
5.11 TSA –Transportation Security Administration
5.12 UNATTENDED BAG(S)/ITEMS(S) - Any bag(s) or item(s) that is not in the immediate physical control of a person or agency. Unattended Bag(s)/Items will not be handled as a bomb threat unless upgraded to a suspicious bag or suspected explosive device.
5.13 WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (WMD): include biological, chemical, nuclear o explosive materials/devices and any combination thereof.
6. CANCELLATION
AS.CM.04.002, “Unattended/Suspicious Bag(s)/Item(s) and Suspected Explosive Device Calls.”
7. REFERENCES
APD.SOP.3180 “Unusual Occurrences and Situations.”
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