10-13 Threats to School Safety

Question 1

What is the Rationale?

Answer 1

This Procedure was developed to assist officers in situations that may pose a threat to school safety.

Question 2

Supervision

Answer 2

 Supervisory Officer attendance mandatory upon becoming aware of an incident that might necessitate a school Lockdown, Hold and Secure or Shelter in Place
 Supervisory Officer notification mandatory for all threats to school safety
 Officer in Charge notification mandatory upon becoming aware of an incident that might necessitate a school Lockdown, Hold and Secure or Shelter in Place

Question 3

Procedure - As this Procedure is an extension of Procedure 10–01, police officers SHALL first comply with the direction contained in

Answer 3

Procedure 10–01, and then follow the additional incident-specific direction contained in this Procedure.

Question 4

Procedure - If there is an immediate threat to life, officers may initiate an

Answer 4

Immediate Rapid Response.

Question 5

Procedure - Except in exigent circumstances, the details of which must later be explained to the principal, police officers SHALL

Answer 5

report to the main school office prior to commencing any investigation in a school (as defined in the Police / School Board Protocol). When conducting an investigation, police officers SHALL make every effort to minimize disruption to school routines.

Question 6

Procedure - When a police officer becomes aware of a violent crime or serious safety concern that may affect the safety of students or staff at a school, they SHALL

Answer 6

advise the school principal of the danger and may recommend the school Lockdown, Hold and Secure, or Shelter in Place, depending on the nature of the threat. The principal is the person in charge of a school and, as such, makes the decision to initiate a Lockdown, Hold and Secure or Shelter in Place.

Question 7

Procedure - Examples of situations that might initiate a school Lockdown include

Answer 7

 a person attacking a person with a knife in a school
 a person using or threatening to use a gun on school property

Question 8

Procedure - Examples of situations that might initiate a Hold and Secure include

Answer 8

 a suspect with a weapon in the vicinity of a school
 a search near a school for a suspect wanted for a violent offence
 a serious motor vehicle accident in the area of a school, requiring temporary control of pedestrian and vehicle traffic

Question 9

Procedure - When there is a report of a person carrying a concealed firearm or other concealed weapon on school property, and there is no indication that the person poses an immediate threat, members SHALL not

Answer 9

advise the school to initiate a Lockdown or Hold and Secure. This will reduce the possibility of creating a hostage situation or provoking a violent response in the suspect.

Question 10

Procedure - An example of a situation that might initiate a Shelter in Place includes if there is

Answer 10

hazardous material around the building and evacuation may not be safe. A Shelter in Place would normally be recommended by Toronto Fire Services.

Question 11

Procedure - In summary, there are three (3) categories of movement restriction that may be implemented

Answer 11

1. Lockdown
2. Hold and Secure, or
3. Shelter in Place

Question 12

Communication Strategy -
In order to ensure the safety of the public, emergency responders and Service members, an effective communication strategy is vital to impart crucial information to all involved at the beginning, during and at the completion of an emergency. When developing a communication strategy, the Incident Commander SHALL ensure Corporate Communications is consulted, and that the following are considered:

Answer 12

 the intended audience (general public, other agencies, Service members)
 the information to include in the communication
 the form of communication (public address, radio/television, telephone, news releases)
 will the communication be accessible to the intended audience?

Question 13

Police Officer - When attending on school premises to conduct an investigation SHALL

Answer 13

 report to the main school office prior to commencing the investigation
 in exigent circumstances, initiate an Immediate Rapid Response

Question 14

Police Officer - Upon becoming aware of an incident that might necessitate a school Lockdown, Hold and Secure or Shelter in Place SHALL

Answer 14

 first comply with Procedure 10–01
 inform the principal or designate of the circumstances of the incident
 notify
 the supervisory officer
 the Officer in Charge
 notify the Communications Operator – Communications Services (Communications Operator) which, if any, nearby schools should be advised to consider commencing a Lockdown, Hold and Secure or Shelter in Place

Question 15

Police Officer - Upon becoming aware of an incident that might necessitate a school Lockdown SHALL

Answer 15

 comply with item 2
 identify a parent staging area
 advise the Communications Operator
 request the Communications Operator to notify
 the Officer in Charge
 the Toronto Police Operations Centre (TPOC)

Question 16

Police Officer - Upon completion of the incident SHALL notify the…

Answer 16

principal or designate of the involved schools that the incident has concluded so that the school can resume normal operations

Question 17

Supervisory Officer - Upon being notified of a school Lockdown, Hold and Secure or Shelter in Place SHALL

Answer 17

 first comply with Procedure 10–01
 be mindful of the circumstances that led to the involvement of the police and ensure the original investigation continues
 attend the school
 assess the need to assume the role of Incident Commander and if necessary, become the Incident Commander until relieved of this function

Question 18

Supervisory Officer - Upon being notified of a Hold and Secure that police have recommended SHALL

Answer 18

 comply with item 5
 assign a police officer to attend that school if, operationally feasible

Question 19

Supervisory Officer - Upon being notified of a school Lockdown SHALL

Answer 19

 comply with item 5
 assign an officer to attend that school
 assign an officer to the parent staging area and ensure the officer keeps parents informed of the status of the
Lockdown in compliance with the Communication Strategy

Question 20

Incident Commander - When attending a School Lockdown, Hold and Secure or Shelter in Place SHALL first comply with

Answer 20

Procedure 10–01.

Question 21

Incident Commander - Upon conclusion of the incident, SHALL

Answer 21

 notify the Operations Supervisor – Communications Services (Operations Supervisor)
 request the Operations Supervisor to notify
 the Officer in Charge
 Emergency Management & Public Order
 the TPOC

Question 22

Officer in Charge - During a Lockdown, Hold and Secure or Shelter in Place SHALL

Answer 22

 first comply with Procedure 10–01
 provide information and updates on the situation when inquiries are made by a school principal or designate in the area of the threat

Question 23

Definitions - Exigent Circumstances

Answer 23

means, urgent, pressing and/or emergency circumstances. In reference to an emergency or hazardous incident, exigent circumstances may include a bomb threat, a person possessing or using a weapon, or a fire on school property.
[Source: Police / School Board Protocol]

Question 24

Definitions - Hold and Secure

Answer 24

means that all movement in and out of the school is restricted and external doors locked, however, movement within the school is not restricted as the external danger near the school poses no immediate threat to the students or staff unless they leave the building.

Question 25

Definitions - Immediate Rapid Response

Answer 25

means that if there is an immediate threat to life in a school, officers SHALL enter the school to stop the threat in accordance with training.

Question 26

Definitions - Incident Commander

Answer 26

means the police officer who has taken charge of the incident and who is in charge at the Command Post and, in conjunction with other emergency services commanders, is responsible for coordinating and managing police response at an incident.

Question 27

Definitions - Lockdown

Answer 27

means that all movement in and out of the school and within the school is restricted as the danger is inside the school or is on school property and poses an immediate threat to the students or staff.

Question 28

Definitions - Parent Staging Area

Answer 28

means a location where parents can initially report to and await details. Usually positioned off-site from the immediate emergency or threat. Ideally separate and exclusive from the emergency responders, equipment and media.

Question 29

Definitions - Shelter in Place

Answer 29

requires that people enter and remain in a building with the doors and windows closed due to an external environmental threat. Fans, including heating and air conditioning units, should be turned off to prevent air from outside entering the building. Normal operations may continue within the building.