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Applicable To: All employees |
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Approval Authority: Chief George N. Turner |
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Signature: Signed by GNT |
Date Signed: 12/10/10 |
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4.2 Hostage Situation and/or Barricaded Person |
4.6 Suspicious Letter or Package |
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To establish policy and procedure for dealing with unusual occurrences.
The Atlanta Police Department shall respond to all incidents with the appropriate employees, equipment, and resources to expeditiously resolve the incident.
3.1 Division, section, and unit commanders are responsible for ensuring that all employees within their chain of command comply with the requirements of this directive.
3.2 Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that all employees under their command comply with the requirements of this directive.
3.3 All employees are responsible for complying with the requirements of this directive.
4.1.1 Mass arrests require close coordination with the Department of Corrections. When possible, the field booking station shall be staffed by the Department of Corrections. The incident commander shall assign officers to assist the Department of Corrections in securing prisoners if necessary.
4.1.2 If mass arrests are anticipated, the incident commander shall request that the Department of Corrections establish a field booking station and temporary detention facility. If the Department must establish these facilities they shall be established in compliance with APD.SOP.3030 section 4.13. It shall be located as close to the scene of the arrests as possible. The incident commander shall coordinate with the Department of Corrections shall ensure adequate employees are available to ensure the security of the temporary detention facility and the safety of employees and prisoners.
4.1.3 The incident commander shall ensure that Department prisoner transport vehicles are available, and if necessary, obtain additional transportation resources from the Department of Corrections to transport arrestees.
4.1.4 The incident commander may request that a Department of Fire Rescue (AFR) Unit and/or Grady Hospital Emergency Medical Technicians be assigned to the field booking station to ensure that injured prisoners receive prompt medical attention. Injured or sick prisoners shall be processed in accordance with APD.SOP.3030 “Arrest Procedures”.
4.1.5 The field booking station shall be equipped with adequate quantities of:
1. Digital cameras and printers or Polaroid type cameras with film;
2. Incident reports and property and/or evidence forms;
3. Flex cuffs;
4. Evidence and property containers; and
5. Office supplies.
4.1.6 The arresting officer shall bring the prisoner to the field booking station where two photographs of the prisoner and arresting officer shall be taken. The following information shall be placed on the back of each photograph:
1. Officer's name and unique ID number;
2. Prisoner's name and date of birth: If unknown, use John Doe for males, Jane Doe for females, followed by the officer’s unique ID number and the arrest number, on both the photograph and the arrest citation. For example, “John Doe: APD #1753, Arrest #6” would be the sixth unknown male arrested by an officer whose unique ID is #1753;
3. Charge(s); and
4. Time, date, and location of arrest.
4.1.7 An incident report and arrest citation shall be completed by the arresting officer. One photograph shall be attached to the arrest ticket and forwarded to the detention facility with the prisoner. If conditions do not permit completion of the report and ticket, the prisoner may be transported with only the photograph and the required paperwork shall be completed at a more suitable time. However, no more than two hours should elapse before an arrest citation is forwarded to the detention facility.
4.1.8 Property and evidence shall be handled routinely as described in the APD.SOP.6030 “Property and Evidence Control”. In the event of large volumes of evidence or property, the Property Control Unit shall be assigned to the field booking station to receive and process evidence and property in accordance with APD.SOP.6030 “Property and Evidence Control”.
4.1.9 The incident commander shall ensure that procedures are in place to secure prisoners, protect their rights, preserve the chain of evidence, and account for all property.
4.1.10 Defense counsel visits are not allowed at the field booking station. These visits shall only be allowed at the detention facility designated for the holding of the mass arrestees in accordance with the Department of Corrections standard operating procedures.
4.1.11 Juvenile prisoners shall be processed in the same manner as described for adults, with the exception of transportation procedures. Juveniles shall not be transported with adults: all juvenile offenders shall be transported to the appropriate juvenile intake facility where they shall be held pending formal processing.. In the event that the parent or guardian of a juvenile is arrested and the juvenile shall not be arrested, the juvenile shall be placed in the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services.
4.1.12 If special court procedures are required, the incident commander shall contact the Office of the District Attorney and the Solicitors Office to arrange for the appropriate court and prosecutorial liaisons.
4.1.13 The Department of Corrections is responsible for the security, medical screening, food, water, sanitation, and visitation schedules after booking.
4.1.14 Public information and media relations shall be handled in accordance with APD.SOP.1060 “Public Affairs” and/or by the Office of Public Affairs. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 46.1.3 f)
4.2 Hostage Situation and/or Barricaded Person
4.2.1 Once an officer determines a hostage situation, barricaded person, or sniper situation exists, the first responding officer shall:
1. Avoid confronting the subject if possible and instead try to control and contain the situation until the SWAT Team and a Hostage Negotiator can arrive on the scene.
2. Advise Communications of the situation by relaying all available information, to include: a description of the perpetrator(s), type of weapon(s), location to which backup units should respond, and the safest route for backup officers to use to respond to the situation.
3. Request a supervisor on scene and that Communications notify the SWAT Unit and a hostage negotiator.
4. Evacuate injured persons and bystanders, if possible, and request emergency medical care if necessary. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 46.1.4 b)
5. Detain witnesses to be interviewed and for statements.
4.2.2 Upon arriving on scene, the supervisor shall assume control of the incident and:
1. Verify the initial assessment of the situation made by the first officer on the scene.
2. Provide an updated assessment of the situation to Communications.
3. Ensure that the SWAT Unit and a hostage negotiator are en route and request any additional assistance as necessary, to include: ambulance, fire/rescue, surveillance equipment, helicopter support, etc. Advise the responding units of the safest route by which to respond.
4. Establish an inner perimeter to control access to and from the scene. The inner perimeter should be established to contain and control the subject’s movement. Employees should be positioned to restrict the subject’s movement. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 46.1.4 a)
5. Establish an outer perimeter. The outer perimeter should be established at
a distance that shall provide safety to the public and allow for a command post
and staging area to be established. All non-essential employees, injured
persons, and members of the general public must be evacuated from inside the
outer perimeter. Employees shall be positioned at the outer perimeter to control
all traffic routes to and from the scene, and allow for pursuit or surveillance
of the subject if the situation moves to another location.
6. Establish a command post and staging area, located between the perimeters (CALEA 5th ed. standard 46.1.4 c).
4.2.3 Upon arriving on scene, the SWAT Team shall:
1. Assume control of the incident and command of the scene immediately upon arriving on scene. The SWAT commander may use officers on the scene to maintain the inner or outer perimeter as necessary. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 46.1.4 a)
2. Obtain all available information from officers on the scene.
3. Provide an updated assessment of the situation to Communications and request any additional equipment or assistance as necessary, to include: ambulance, fire/rescue, other law enforcement agencies, surveillance equipment, Special Response Vehicle, Mobile Command Post, helicopter support, etc.
4. Develop a plan of action to resolve the situation. Authorization for the use of chemical agents, less-lethal weapons, and deadly force must be in accordance with APD.SOP.3010 “Use of Force”.
5. Execute the plan of action, making revisions as necessary, to resolve the incident.
4.2.4 Hostage negotiators are responsible for communicating and negotiating with the subject and shall operate under the command of the SOS commander. Hostage negotiators shall assist in developing the plan of action and, during the incident, maintain open lines of communication with SWAT to exchange information as necessary.
4.2.5 Communications is responsible for establishing a radio talk group for use on the scene and for establishing and maintaining communications with other agencies as necessary and appropriate. 4.2.6 Any employee’s use of force or lethal or less-lethal weapons must be in accordance with APD.SOP.3010 “Use of Force” and APD.SOP.3040 “Weapons”.
4.2.7 The SWAT commander must submit an after action report through the chain of command to the FOD commander within 72 hours of the conclusion of the incident. After action reports shall be kept on file for at least five years.
4.2.8 If a hostage incident results from the commission of a federal crime, such as bank robbery or extortion, jurisdiction is concurrent with the FBI. The Department shall maintain initial control of the incident until the senior ranking FBI agent at the scene declares responsibility.
4.2.9 If a hostage is a foreign official or an
official guest of the United States, as defined by USC 18, section 112 and
section 970, jurisdiction is concurrent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI). If the FBI expressly indicates it shall take
command of foreign official hostage situations, the Department shall relinquish
complete control and offer any assistance needed. If
the FBI indicates that jurisdiction shall remain concurrent, joint
decision-making shall be conducted by the SOS commander, the SWAT commander, and
the senior ranking FBI agent on the scene. 4.2.10 Public information and media relations shall be handled in accordance with APD.SOP.1060 “Public Affairs” and/or by the Office of Public Affairs. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 46. 1. 3. f)
4.3.1 The SWAT Unit has primary tactical command responsibility for calls in which the package is suspected or known to contain an explosive or incendiary device.
4.3.2 Employees who are investigating a bomb threat shall advise Communications when they are approaching the scene and turn off their Department radio prior to arriving on scene. Employees shall also turn off any cellular phones, pagers, or other electronic devices that send or receive radio transmissions prior to arriving on scene.
4.3.3 The decision to evacuate private property prior to the confirmation of an explosive device may be made by the person(s) responsible for the property. Evacuation is mandatory after the presence of an explosive device has been confirmed. If there is reason to believe that an extreme emergency exists, based on all information available, officers shall take whatever action is necessary to save lives, including an order to evacuate the building.
4.3.4 When searching an area after a bomb threat has been made:
1. Persons familiar with the location and its contents shall be asked to participate in the search.
2. The search shall rely on visual inspection, and extreme care should be taken not to disturb any unusual or suspicious items or objects.
3. A Bomb Canine Team may be requested based on a full evaluation of the situation, including the nature of the threat, the location, the type of alleged bomb, etc.
4.3.5 If an explosive device, or an article or object that could be an explosive device, is located:
1. Do not pick up or move items or objects suspected of containing explosives.
2. Immediately evacuate the area and secure the scene. All persons should be at least 1,000 feet away.
3. Notify a supervisor and have Communications contact the SWAT Team, a bomb technician, and the Department of Fire Rescue.
4. Notify the Department’s Homeland Security Unit.
4.3.6 If a bomb detonates or other suspicious explosion occurs, the first responding officer shall:
1. Be alert for additional devices;
2. Evacuate the injured and request emergency medical services for the injured;
3. Secure the scene and evacuate the area for at least 1,000 feet;
4. Notify a supervisor and have Communications contact the SWAT Team, a bomb technician, and the Department of Fire Rescue; and
5. Attempt to obtain names, addresses, and telephone numbers of witnesses or victims on the scene or who must be transported to hospitals.
4.3.7 Upon arriving on scene, the SWAT Team, including a bomb technician,
1. Develop a plan of action to investigate or render safe the suspect device or object;
2. Transport and dispose of any hazardous items or material; and
3. Conduct any crime scene investigations necessary and prepare and submit any necessary paperwork.
4.3.8 Bombing incidents and bomb threats are considered acts of terrorism, both federal and state violations. SOS shall coordinate the investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and/or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
4.4 Response to Correctional Institutions
4.4.1 The following facilities are defined as those correctional institutions for which the Police Department is designated the primary assisting police agency. Below each facility address is listed the zone responsible for initial response to the facility.
4.4.2 Emergency assistance response
1. The Department shall respond to those situations that threaten the security of the facility or may be beyond the control of the facility staff. These situations may include but are not limited to:
a. Riot
b. Major escapes
c. Hostage taking
d. Assault on the facility
2. A request for emergency assistance from a correctional facility shall be placed by or on behalf of the on-duty facility commander or higher authority. This request shall be received through the Department's Communications Section and should specify the type of services or assistance that is required.
3. The Communications Section shall ensure that the proper response is initiated and that the appropriate notifications are made. A full description of the situation shall be obtained for briefing purposes.
4. Initial response to the facility shall be made by the appropriate zone unless specialized units are requested or the immediate presence of police personnel is not required.
4.5.1 The responding officer shall:
1. Proceed to the bank as quickly and safely as possible, using safe driving techniques. Avoid squealing tires and the use of emergency equipment that only announce the officer's presence.
2. After arrival assume and maintain a position that shall offer cover and shall allow the officer to observe the scene and reduce the likelihood of escape; and give the dispatcher his or her exact location.
3. Request additional information concerning the status of the call.
4. If it is a false alarm, the responding officer shall allow the bank representative to approach his or her position to verify that he or she is the bank's representative and to verify the status of the call.
5. If there is a robbery in progress, the responding officer shall request that the dispatcher send backup units and a supervisor and direct their approach to strategic positions (such as points of exit). 6. If the dispatcher advises the responding officer that a robbery has occurred and that the perpetrators have left the scene, he or she shall enter the bank, render first aid and summon an ambulance if necessary, protect the crime scene, secure witnesses, place a lookout, and contact the appropriate investigative unit.
4.5.2 Upon arrival, the backup officers shall:
2. Follow the procedures outlined for the responding officer.
4.5.3 When a unit is dispatched to a bank alarm call, the appropriate field supervisor shall:
1. Acknowledge receipt of the call and go to the scene.
2. If the field supervisor arrives at the scene before a backup officer arrives, he or she shall carry out the backup responsibilities.
3. If a robbery is in progress, the field supervisor shall go to the scene and take charge of the situation.
4.6 Suspicious Letter or Package
4.6.1 The Communications Section shall receive and process calls from the public to determine the appropriate response.
4.6.2 The Department of Fire Rescue has primary responsibility for identifying and rendering safe a package that does not contain an explosive or incendiary device, but may contain hazardous materials of a chemical or biological nature which fit established protocol for chemical or biological testing.
4.6.3 The SWAT Unit has primary tactical command responsibility for calls in which the package is suspected or known to contain an explosive or incendiary device.
4.6.4 The Intelligence Unit / Homeland Security Unit shall investigate crimes involving hazardous materials of a chemical or biological nature.
1. When the 911 operators receive a call in which the caller states that he or she has a suspicious package, the operator shall determine the nature of the biohazard contained in the package by checking the appropriate category on the Hazardous Threat Sheet (Form APD 408). The operator shall input that information into the remarks field on the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) screen in order for the responding officer to be advised. The operator shall also assess the need for medical assistance.
2. The operator shall advise the caller not to handle or open the letter or package and not to involve anyone else in handling or opening it. Also, advise the caller to ask anyone in the room where the letter or package is located to relocate away from the package and not to let anyone else enter. Ask the caller to keep or make a log of everyone who has had contact with the package or its contents and to secure the area, if possible. 3. The 911 operator shall ask the following questions:
a. “Have you received any threatening calls or correspondence of any type regarding this package?”
b. If not, ask the caller, “Are you or anyone at your location expecting a package from the sender?” “Is this a regular type of package that you would normally receive?” “Have you contacted the sender to verify if they sent the package?” “Have you discussed with the sender if the letter or package contains a substance?”
c. “Have you handled the letter or package?” If the caller’s response is no, advise the caller not to handle it. If the caller’s response is yes, ask, “Do you have any idea of what may be in the letter or package?”
d. “Have you opened the package?” If not, do not open it now. If so, ask, “What did you see in it that caused you to have suspicions?” Also, advise the caller to keep other people away from the suspicious letter or package and not to touch their eyes, nose, mouth, or another person until checked by the Fire Department if there are any powders, liquids, or vapors coming from the package. NOTE: The 911 operator asking these questions may eliminate some of the concerns that the caller has regarding the package. These questions give the caller guidance on how to verify if the package is normal mail.
4. If the process of describing the package resolves the concerns of the
caller, he or she no longer needs public safety assistance. In that case, the
911 operator shall enter the call in the Computer Aided Dispatch System (CADS)
and forward it to FILE only. 5. If the caller still has concerns about the safety of the letter or package, the 911 operator shall send the call to dispatch.
a. The communications supervisor shall review the Hazardous Threat Sheet (Form APD 408) for each call and forward a copy to the Intelligence Unit.
b. The 911 operators shall forward all calls with indications of explosives, incendiaries, or undetermined hazards using a signal 73P to the zone dispatcher and notify the Department of Fire Rescue to send backup. The zone dispatcher shall notify the communications supervisor if the field unit requests SWAT. The communications supervisor shall make the appropriate notification for SWAT.
c. The 911 operators shall transfer callers who report indications of chemical or biological hazards to the Department of Fire Rescue. Also, forward the calls to zone dispatch as a signal 73H and notify the Intelligence Unit. Treat the call as having a chemical or biological hazard if there are powders, liquids, vapors, or other unexplained substances coming from the package or if people or animals in the immediate vicinity become sick from contact.
6. The dispatcher shall advise the responding officer:
a. If the AFR’s Hazmat Team shall be responding to the scene.
b. If there are any reports of ill citizens or animals in the vicinity of the package.
c. If the suspicious letter or package is inside or outside of a building.
d. If the suspicious letter or package is sealed or open.
e. Whether there is a threat associated with the suspicious letter or package.
4.6.6 If the Department of Fire Rescue’s Hazmat Team is dispatched
1. When the Department of Fire Rescue’s Hazmat Team arrives on the scene, the responding police supervisor and officer shall:
a. Relinquish authority to the Department of Fire Rescue’s Hazmat Team;
b. Secure the scene and establish an inner and outer perimeter;
c. Provide crowd control and traffic control; and
d. Assist the Department of Fire Rescue as needed.
2. If possible, quarantine persons in the immediate area of exposure. Do not forcibly quarantine a person.
3. Obtain identities of all persons entering or leaving the scene including those that left prior to officers’ arrival that may have been exposed.
4.6.7 If a package is identified as suspect:
1. The Communications supervisor shall notify the Intelligence Unit investigator who shall respond to the scene and take primary responsibility for the investigation and notify the Department of Fire Rescue if needed.
2. The Intelligence Unit investigator shall take custody of the package after the Department of Fire Rescue makes the package safe, by triple bagging the package.
3. The Intelligence investigator shall view the suspicious letter or package for the following conditions to determine the credibility of the threat:
a. Involvement of governmental installations;
b. Excessive postage and/or weight;
c. Poorly written or typed address;
d. Misspelling of common words;
e. No return address;
f. Packages marked “Personal” or “Confidential”;
g. Stains, discolorations, or odor;
h. Lopsided or uneven envelope; and I. Excessive masking tape, string or other security measures.
4.6.8 The responding APD supervisor shall safely observe the package or letter and determine in which of the five categories the suspicious package fits. If the suspicious package fits the protocol for a threat and testing, the supervisor shall:
1. Notify the Communications Section, who shall initiate a response from the AFR HAZMAT Unit.
2. Remove citizens from the area in a calm manner.
3. Advise dispatcher of any threats attached to the suspicious letter or package.
4. If unsure of which category the package fits into, notify the Intelligence Unit investigator, who shall respond and make the determination.
4.6.9 All suspected hazardous material incidents fall into one of five categories. They are as follows:
1. Container with un-attributable powder-like substance and threatening communication. Since there is an articulated threat, assume the substance was intentionally introduced into the package in an effort to validate the threat. This is a federal crime.
a. The responding officer should notify the zone supervisor and Communications.
b. Communications shall notify the Intelligence Unit and initiate a response from the Department of Fire Rescue’s HAZMAT Unit. The officer shall assess the need for medical assistance
c. The responding Intelligence investigator shall notify the Federal Bureau of Investigations (F.B.I.)’s bio-hazmat unit and brief the special agent on-call of his or her findings. If the agent accepts the package, the intelligence investigator shall receive an intake number assigned to this case and transport the package to the Georgia Public Health Center (or a location requested by the F.B.I.) for analysis of its content.
d. If the package is not accepted by the F.B.I., the Intelligence investigator shall advise the victim that there is no need for further investigation.
2. Container with un-attributable powder, no threat, and no illness. As there is no threat and no one is ill, it must be determined if there is a logical explanation for the presence of this substance. A number of letters have been evaluated that contained crushed samples from vitamin and pain relief companies.
a. If there is no threat, no one is ill, and a reasonable and defendable explanation can be given as to the source of the substance, there is no crime and no test protocol exists.
b. If no reasonable source can be determined, the steps in paragraph 1 must be initiated.
3. Container with a threat but no powder: Threatening to use a chemical or biological weapon or substance is a violation of federal law and requires investigation.
a. The Intelligence Unit shall be notified and shall respond to the scene to investigate.
b. HAZMAT Units shall not be called until the Intelligence Unit assesses the situation and determines the need.
4. Container with no powder, no threat, but recipients are ill: This scenario has the most potential for confusion. Those who come in contact with most biological threats such as anthrax are not immediately symptomatic. Since no powder is available for clinical testing and there is no threat to investigate, this is a medical issue. The primary concern is the treatment and well being of the recipient.
a. HAZMAT Unit is not required.
b. Contact an Intelligence Unit investigator who shall come to the scene. Upon assessing the package, the investigator may securely bag the package and secure it pending a medical examination. Upon a negative medical examination, the package shall be returned to the owner. If positive, the package shall be tested in accordance with paragraph 1
5. Container arrives with no powder, no threat, the recipient is not ill but believes the package to be “suspicious.”
a. There is no threat or investigation needed.
b. If other threat indicators are present such as excessive postage, misspelled names, etc., the package should be evaluated for Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) potential.
4.6.10 Evacuation (CALEA 5th ed. standard 46. 1. 4. b)
1. If a building or area must be evacuated, the officer on the scene shall notify the immediate supervisor, who shall authorize the evacuation.
2. If the area to be evacuated is more than a single building or apartment complex, the supervisor shall immediately notify the AFR and shall assist the Department of Fire Rescue as needed.
3. When the Department of Fire Rescue takes charge of an evacuation, police responsibilities include:
a. Warn the public.
b. Isolate the area and control traffic around, into, and out of the area.
c. Select evacuation and return routes.
d. Provide security within the evacuated area.
4.7 Jurisdictional Responsibilities
3. If an unusual occurrence or critical incident occurs as a result of criminal activity in another jurisdiction, followed by “hot pursuit” by police from that jurisdiction into the City of Atlanta, concurrent jurisdiction is assumed.
4. If an unusual occurrence or critical incident occurs as a result of criminal activity in the City of Atlanta and “hot pursuit” requires Department employees to leave the City limits, concurrent jurisdiction is assumed.
5.2 National Incident Management System (NIMS): While most emergency situations are handled locally, when there's a major incident help may be needed from other jurisdictions, the state and the federal government. NIMS was developed so responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines can work together better to respond to natural disasters and emergencies, including acts of terrorism. NIMS benefits include a unified approach to incident management; standard command and management structures; and emphasis on preparedness mutual aid and resource management.
APD.SOP. 3180 Unusual Occurrences, issued December 1, 2007
APD.SOP.3030 Arrest Procedures APD.SOP.3181 Emergency Operations Plan APD.SOP.3184 Threat Level Advisories APD.RCT.08.13 NIMS Training Information APD.RCT.10.06 NIMS Refresher and Application Examples
Commission for the Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) 5th Edition Standards 46.1.3; 46.1.4 |
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