3.520 Bomb Threats - Located Explosive Devices - Dentonations

Question 1

Which agency is the primary investigative unit for all terrorist incidents?

Answer 1

FBI

Question 2

Any item (package, luggage, vehicle, etc.) identified as potentially containing chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive material that requires specialized equipment and training to further evaluate. Suspicious indicators are based upon the prevailing and/or communicated threat, placement and proximity of the item(s) to people and valuable assets and more tangible aspects including but not limited to: unexplainable wires or electronics, other visible IED components, unusual sounds, vapors, mists, powders, liquids, odors, etc.

Summary: Any package, bag, item that , due to a proper threat assessment, is a possible danger to the people or property in the area.

Answer 2

Suspicious Item

Question 3

“Any item (package, luggage, vehicle) that does not outwardly present itself as suspicious or threatening in nature; cannot be associated with a communicated threat; is not positioned to avoid observation and/or detection where people congregate; and critical assets are present. The owner may not be readily determined or located; however, there is usually a plausible explanation as to why the item was left unattended (a toy where children may have recently played, a briefcase or small backpack in a toilet facility or, a piece of luggage at a transportation venue in a non-high traffic pedestrian area).”

Answer 3

Unattended Item

Question 4

Any weapon, device or destructive device that is intended to create a great risk of death or serious bodily injury through the release, dissemination or impact of toxic or poisonous chemicals or their precursors, a biological agent, toxin, vector or radiation.

Answer 4

Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Question 5

When responding to a bomb threat, unattended item or suspicious item, what type of searches should be conducted?

Answer 5

1. Upon arrival, officers should do a visual search of 25 feet around their initial arrival location.
2. After the initial 25 foot search, a 100 foot search should be conducted.
3. If a new location is established for a command post, the 25 foot and 100 foot search should be conducted again. The use of an EDD should be utilized, if available.

Question 6

When investigating bomb threats, what is the intention of the department?

Answer 6

To investigate them in a “low-profile manner”.

Question 7

When the department receives initial information of a bomb threat/extortion, when will the target individual or establishment be notified?

Answer 7

As soon as possible, by detectives.

Question 8

“All decisions regarding compliance with extortion demands will be made by…”

Answer 8

“…the representative of the establishment.”

Question 9

Upon arriving on a suspicious item, what are the steps involved in a “threat assessment”?

Answer 9

1. When did the item show up?
2. How long has it been there? (Surveillance video? Witnesses?)
3. Did anyone see the person that left the item?
4. Where is it placed? Entry way or exits?
5. How is it placed? (Does it look like it was deliberately hidden?)
6. Have there been any recent threats?
7. What does the item look like? (Switches, wires, etc.)
8. If you feel the item is clear based on the totality of the circumstances?
9. Is the item suspicious, abandoned or temporarily unattended.

Question 10

What are two most valuable items targeted by terrorists?

Answer 10

People and Property

Question 11

After responding to the scene of a bomb threat and conferring with the senior representative of an establishment, who makes the decisions to evacuate the business?

Answer 11

The representative.

NOTE: LVMPD personnel will NOT make this decision.

Question 12

On a bomb threat call involving a possible suspicious package, what should be avoided?

Answer 12

“Personnel are cautioned against radio transmissions in the vicinity of the device which could detonate it.”

Question 13

When responding to a non-specific bomb threat (i.e. “a bomb will blow up at the corner of Flamingo/Pecos in 15 minutes”, what are the responsibilities of the patrol officer?

Answer 13

1. Contact the person reporting
2. Complete an ICR
3. Forward all documents to ARMOR.

Question 14

What are the components of an improvised explosive device (IED)?

Answer 14

1. Power source
2. Initiator
3. Explosive material
4. Switch or chemical mixture to create a hypergolic reaction

Question 15

Department personnel will not in any way handle, touch or move an explosive device, either suspected or known. True of False?

Answer 15

TRUE

Question 16

When responding to the scene of an unattended item, suspicious package or explosive material, what are the responsibilities of the patrol officer?

Answer 16

1. Respond to the scene and conduct a preliminary investigation.
2. Perform an initial 25 foot search around the arrival area, then another 100 foot search around the arrival area, to include the CP and staging area.
3. Establish a perimeter utilizing the FBI Bomb Threat Stand-Off Card.
4. Search the area around the CP for secondary devices.
5. Gather and control witnesses as well as start voluntary statements.

Question 17

When responding to an unattended item, suspicious package or explosive material, what are the responsibilities of the patrol supervisor?

Answer 17

1. Respond and confirm possible explosive device.
2. Establish ICS
3. Contact the ARMOR supervisor through a communications supervisor.
4. Begin evacuations (for high rise buildings, evacuate 2 floors above and below)
5. Assign an additional officer to the primary location to assist in communications.
6. Remain at the scene to assist ARMOR
7. Complete an After Action Report and route to ARMOR.

Question 18

What are the (2) command and control locations that will established when a device or suspected device is located?

Answer 18

1. The Tactical Operations Center (TOC)

2. The Incident Command Post (ICP)

Question 19

“Department personnel will not release the following information on explosive devices to anyone outside law enforcement…”

Answer 19

1. Type of explosive
2. Components
3. Packaging
4. Method used to detonate
5. Opinions as to why the device did or did not detonate
6. Investigative techniques used to mitigate the threat

Question 20

“In any case where an explosion has occurred, there is always the chance for the presence of unexploded bombs or a second device left by the suspect.” What should be used to clear the crime scene prior to personnel entering and conducting investigations?

Answer 20

Explosive Detector Dog (EDD)

Question 21

On a post-blast scene, what is the minimum number of feet a perimeter should be established from any time that can visually be identified as evidence.

Answer 21

300 Feet

Question 22

What is the purpose of a 25 Foot and 100 foot searches?

Answer 22

They are done to protect first responders from any possible devices which may be placed to injure, maim, and kill them upon arrival. They should be conducted with a low-to-high viewpoint in a 360 degree manner.

Question 23

In regards to a bomb threat what is the department overall policy response?

Answer 23

All actions and decisions made by LVMPD employees should take into consideration which the intention of the department is to conduct the investigation in a low-profile manner.

Question 24

For a bomb threat a patrol supervisor will?

Answer 24

Patrol supervisor will:

Respond to the scene, as necessary.

Question 25

When the incident commander or on-scene supervisor determines there is a suspicious object; who will the supervisor coordinate with?

Answer 25

When the incident commander or on-scene supervisor determines a suspicious object is a suspected explosive device, ARMOR will be called to coordinate the appropriate resources (Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Bomb Squad, Nellis AFB Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team, etc.) and said resources will “render safe” the item and make the situation harmless.

Question 26

When a field supervisor responds to the scene of a bomb threat or suspicious package; what per policy are they responsible for?

Answer 26

Field supervisor will:

1. Respond to and assume command of the scene. The field supervisor or senior officer in cherge will remain at the scene to brief ARMOR supervisor of all revelant matters. Establish Incident Command System (ICS) in accordance with LVMPD 3.500 Major Incident and All Hazard Plan and completes ICS-AAR as required.
2. Contact the ARMOR supervisor through Communications supervisor.
3. When the ranking field supervisor requests ARMOR, a responsible person from the establishment will be advised, by the field supervisor, of the potential for explosion, and an evacuationof the premises will be initiated. At least two (2) floors above and below should be evacuated in a high-rise building:
   a. Failure to respond to an evacuation order is a violation of NRS 475.070.
   b. If a person is not readily available or able to easily be evacuated and is not in harm’s way based on the information of the threat and is outside the mandatory evacuation zone listed on the FBI Bomb Threat Stand-Off Card, the person may shelter in place. However, if they are in the mandatory evacuation zone, they must be evacuated to safety.
4. Assign an additional officer to the primary location (see Command and Control) to assist in the communications.
5. Remain at scene with the additional officer to assist ARMOR and prevent unauthorized access to the location of the device.

Question 27

What two command and control locations will be created in response to suspected device?

Answer 27

Two command and control locations will be established when a device or supected device is located.

1. The Tactical Operations Center will be a place in the vicinity of the device determined suitable by ARMOR supervisor. Command of the primary location and all personnel asssigned to it will rest solely with the ranking ARMOR member. The overall incident command will reamin with the patrol IC.
2. The field command post will be operated and staffed, and a staging area established as for any unusual occurrence, by LVMPD personnel, who will be in charge of all field operations in connection with the explosive. Investigative personnel will report to the field command post or staging area as directed, when arriving at the scene.

Question 28

On the scene of a detonation what will a patrol supervisor do?

Answer 28

In any case where an explosion has occurred, there is always the chance for the presence of unexploded bombs or a second deviceleft by the suspect. The EDD should be used to the clear the crime scene prior to personnel entering and conducting investigations (see LVMPD 3.525, Explosive Detector Dog).

Patrol supervisor will:

1. Contact the ARMOR supervisor through Communications supervisor.
2. Coordinate with ARMOR for instructions regarding adjustment of the perimeter and other scene control concerns.
3. Determine the appropriate support personnel needed for security of the scene.
4. Maintain the perimeter until released by the ranking member of ARMOR, or the investigator functioning as liaison for ARMOR.
5. Determine the need for an EDD to search for a second device (this request can come from ARMOR).