Metropolitan Police Department Washington D.C.

	GENERAL ORDER
	Subject:	Series Number 309 2
		Effective Date December 01, 1971 Revision Date February 28, 1985
Metropolitan Police Department Washington D.C.

Subject: Bombs Threats and Explosives Devices

Series Number Change 309 02 Effective Date December 01, 1971 Revision Date February 28, 1985

The purpose of this order is to establish the policy and procedures for handling bomb threats, bombs, suspicious packages, incendiary devices, and other explosive items. This order consists of the following parts:

PART I Responsibilities and Procedures for Members of the Department

A. Report of Bomb Threat.

B. Evacuations.

C. Conducting Searches.

C. Found Explosive Devices.

PART II Responsibilities and Procedures for

Special Assignment Personnel

A. Initial Response Teem.

B. Explosive Ordnance Unit.

C. Explosive Investigations Unit, Burglary and Pawn Section.

D. Intelligence Division.

E. Crime Scene Examination Section.

F. Canine Explosive Search Teams.

PART III Responsibilities and Procedures for

Supervisory and Command Personnel

A. Official in Charge, Communications Division.

B. Commanding Officers.

C. Officials.

Publication	Effective Date	Page Number
General Order 309.2	February 28, 1985	2 of 8

PART I

A. Report OF Bomb Threat.

1. Members of the department receiving a report of a bomb threat, either directly or indirectly, or who have located or have knowledge of any bomb, suspicious Package, incendiary device, or other explosive items shall, after taking immediate safeguards for the protection of life and property, convey or cause to be conveyed all information to an official on duty at the Communications Division. Members shall use the ten code “10-89” during any voice communication over police radio ch4nnels instead of the phrase “bomb threat.”

2. The first officer(s) on the scene shall be responsible for preparing PD Form 251 unless otherwise directed by competent authority. In addition, these officers shall notify the Explosive Ordinance Division, the Intelligence Division, Property Crimes Unit Major Violators Section of the SIB Branch of CID and the Mayor’s Command Post of the results of the investigation.

B. Evacuations.

1. In the event a bomb threat occurs on privately owned property, the decision to evacuate shall be the responsibility of the owner or the person In charge of the privately owned property. If evacuation Is requested by the owner or person In charge, members shall comply with, the request and render whatever assistance Is needed to execute this action

2. Public buildings shall be evacuated at the request of the person In charge of the building Or when it is deemed mandatory for the safety of the occupants by the police official in charge at the scene.

3. In all cases where an explosive device that could jeopardize the safety of the occupants is located evacuation measures shall be executed.

C. Conducting Searches.

1. It is impossible to set firm rules or guidelines on searching procedures as each situation may greatly differ from previous encounters. Explosive devices may appear in a recognizable form or may be sophisticated devices so disguised as not to be easily discernable. Extreme care should be utilized in the search procedure.

Publication	Effective Date	Page Number
General Order 309.2	February 28, 1985	3 of 8

2. It shall be the responsibility of officers upon arrival at the scene of one of the above incidents to do the following:

a. Conduct a complete and thorough search of the area involved insofar as time and the situation allow.

b. Solicit the cooperation of those people who are familiar with the area involved (e.g., maintenance men, building engineers, etc.) to search their work area insofar as time and the situation allow.

c. In more difficult search operations, utilize the services of the Canine Explosive Search Teams.

D. Found Explosive Devices.

In the event a bomb, explosive, or any item of a suspicious nature Is located as a result of the search, the locating officer shall immediately:

1. Secure the area.

2. Notify or cause to be notified an official on the scene as to the exact location of the device and any other pertinent information.

3. Allow no one to touch, move, or otherwise disturb the device.

4. Position himself In a manner that affords him the best possible protection while keeping the scene isolated, if time and the situation allow, until the arrival of the Explosive Ordnance Unit or a police line is established.

5. When an actual or suspected device has been located, members of the force shall not use or allow the use of any radio transmitters within a one—block radius of the item’s location. This restriction shall not apply to situations involving bomb searches where hand-held portable radios may be used.

Publication	Effective Date	Page Number
General Order 309.2	April 17, 1985	4 of 8

PART II

A. Initial Response Team.

1. In order to provide for personnel specifically trained to Investigate and process incidents involving explosions within the District _of Columbia, the following personnel, whether on or off duty, shall be notified to respond when such an incident occurs, and they will Comprise the department’s Initial Response Team:

a. Two (2) members of the Explosive Ordnance Unit.

b. Two (2) members of the Crime Scene Examination Section.

c. Two (2) members of the Canine Search Section.

d. One (1) member of the Explosive Investigations Unit, Burglary and Pawn Section.

e. One (1) member of the Intelligence Division.

2. It shall be the responsibility of the senior member of each unit of the Initial Response Team to keep the official in charge at the scene appraised of the progress and/Or needs of his/her particular unit.

B. Explosive Ordnance Unit.

1. The Explosive Ordnance Unit, Special Operations Division, is comprised of members of the force who have specialized training and equipment necessary to identify, disarm, transport, and safely dispose of explosives. This element normally shall not respond to bomb threats but shall be responsible for the following:

a. Responding to all calls for found explosives, suspicious packages, incendiary devices, or other related items.

b. Assisting in the investigation of bombings and explosions.

c. Maintaining files and statistics on incidents described in part IA of this order.

d. Making decisions as to how the device shall be disarmed, handled, transported, and Its final disposition.

e. Notifying or causing to be notified the proper military personnel in the event the device found is an item of military ordnance.

Publication	Effective Date	Page Number
General Order 309.2	February 28, 1985	5 of 8

2. Utilization of Bomb Carrier Truck:

a. The Explosive Ordnance Unit, Special Operations Division, has in operation a bomb carrier truck, designated as cruiser 671, which is housed at the Harbor Patrol facility. Normally, the bomb truck will not respond to the scene of a suspected explosive device until a member of the Explosive Ordnance Unit has determined a need for a vehicle or its equipment. The decision to utilize the bomb truck shall made only by a member of the Explosive Ordnance Unit.

b. When the Explosive Ordnance Unit responds to the scene of a suspected explosive device and it is anticipated that the services of the bomb truck may be required, a member of the Explosive Ordnance Unit shall request Communications to notify the Harbor Patrol Unit of the situation. A member of the Harbor Patrol Unit shall immediately prepare the vehicle for operation; if escort officers are not available for this purpose, the vehicle will be driven to its destination cautiously without benefit of an escort.

c. When it is determined by a member of the Explosive Ordnance Unit that the services of the bomb truck are needed at the scene, he shall notify Communications to dispatch the bomb truck. A member of the Harbor Patrol Unit shall then drive the bomb truck, escorted by the two motorcycle officers, to the specified location. Upon arrival, the motorcycle officers shall standby for the purpose of escorting the bomb truck to its final destination. Only members of the Explosive Ordnance Unit shall operate the bomb truck once explosive material has been placed into the vehicle.

d. An additional feature of the bomb truck is that it is equipped with certain specialized Items, Such as a generator, high Intensity lighting, and a heavy duty winch, which may be utilized at the scene of a serious crime or disaster. When it becomes necessary to utilize the bomb truck for these special assignments, the official in charge of the Communications Division shall be contacted. The Communications Division shall then notify the Explosive Ordnance Unit, who shall transport the vehicle to the specified location.

Publication	Effective Date	Page Number
General Order 309.2	February 28, 1985	6 of 8

C. Explosive Investigations Unit (E.I.U.), Burglary and Pawn Section.

1. The E.I.U.'s primary duties include:

a. Complete criminal investigations relating to bomb threats, attempt bombings, found explosive devices, and bombings.

personnel from this unit shall respond to the scene of

bombings, explosions and found incendiary devices and shall take charge of the actual investigation;

b. Coordinating on-scene investigations to maintain scene security and integrity; and

c. Ensuring the safety of the public and department members.

2. The E.I.U. shall also assist the Crime Scene Examination and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Section in performing their functions shall provide assistance to other units and Federal agencies with their investigations concerning the above offenses.

D. Intelligence Division.

1. As part of the Initial Response Team, one member of the Intelligence Division shall respond to the scene of any bombing.

2. The Intelligence Division shall assist the E.I.U. in the investigation of bombings and related incidents; this assistance shall normally Consist of providing intelligence data gathered from the scene of such bombings or from file information within the Division.

3. When information concerning possible bombings or the stockpiling of explosives is received, the Intelligence Division shall transmit such information to the Explosive Ordnance Unit, the E.I.U., and the commander of the district involved.

E. Crime Scene Examination Section.

The responsibility of this unit shall be as prescribed by General Order 304.8 (Collection of Physical Evidence; Utilization of the Crime Scene Examination Section and Crime Scene Search Officers) in the event of an explosion.

Publication	Effective Date	Page Number
General Order 309.2	April 17, 1985	7 of 8

F. Canine Explosive Search Teams.

1. Members of the department are reminded that utilization of the canine explosive teams results in the area being searched more quickly, thus saving manpower. The canine is capable of detecting the presence of explosives in areas not immediately accessible, such as locked desks, cabinets and closets. These canine teams shall not be used in routine searches of a small premise.

2. Canine teams shall be available for call from 0700 to 2300 hours,7 days a week, and Off—duty canine teams shall be available during the 2300 to 0700 hours tour of duty. Requests for the use of the Canine Explosive Search Teams shall be made through the Communications Division.

PART III

A. Official in Charge, Communications Division.

1. Upon receipt of information regarding one of the incidents listed in part IA of this order, the Communications Division official receiving the information shall be responsible for the following:

a. Notifying or causing to be notified the official in charge of the district involved.

b. Causing sufficient personnel and a supervisory official from the district involved to be dispatched to the scene. Members of the Civil Disturbance Unit assigned to the district involved should be used whenever possible to assist in the searching phase.

c. Notifying the Canine Explosive Search Team when their services are needed or requested.

d. If any of the items described in part I, Paragraph A, of this order are located, notifying the following:

(1) Office of the Chief of Police.

(2) Field Operations Officer.

(3) Night supervisor, if other than the day tour of duty.

(4) Members of the Explosive Ordnance Unit.

(5) Explosive Investigations Unit, Burglary and Pawn Section.

(6) Fire Department.

e. If an explosion occurs, notifying the Initial Response Team.

Publication	Effective Date	Page Number
General Order 309.2	February 28, 1985	8 of 8

2. When an official on duty at the Communications Division receives a request for the services of the Explosive Ordnance Unit from the Secret Service, Executive Protective Service, United States Park Police, Military E.O.D., or other local police or military agency, he shall immediately cause the Explosive Ordnance Unit to be notified.

B. Commanding Officers.

District commanders shall respond to all bombings, explosions, and other related incidents that occur In their respective districts. They shall take command of the scene upon their arrival and direct all activities.

C. Officials.

The official in charge at the scene shall be responsible for the following:

1. Coordinating the search for the explosive.

2. Conferring with the Canine Explosive Search Team handlers responding to the scene to determine if the canine team can be utilized.

3. Keeping the Communications Division apprised of all developments.

4. In the event a suspected device is located, causing immediate evacuation if necessary; securing the area of the suspected device; permitting no person to handle, move, or attempt to disarm the device until the arrival of the Explosive Ordnance Unit; and establishing a police line If necessary.

5. In the event a suspected device Is located, or if a bombing or other explosion occurs, coordinating with the Team Leader of the E.I.U. to ensure scene integrity, security, and safety, and assisting the Team Leader in the performance of his/her Other responsibilities.

6. Submitting a, preliminary report (original and five copies) to the Chief of Police, through channels, with the morning papers.

MTT:DMS:jtw General Order 309.2