Personal Security In The Court

Transcription

1 Agenda Personal Security In The Court Speakers: Rock Hill Municipal Court Security Team. Officer Johnathan Law, Bailiff Tim Butz Physical Security Issues The Perfect Courtroom Administration Facility management Security Procedures Equipment Personal Awareness What to look for How to react Role play/skits Identify Suspicious Activities Role Play/Skits Agenda Continued Tips from the US Marshal Service and Courtroom Staff Videos Court Security Videos from around the Country (Disclaimer!!!) Not intended to scare, just to make aware Physical Security The Perfect Courtroom Administration: Security Directive - Must be available - Security Supervisor/Courtroom Administrator - Good communication must meet at least quarterly. All INFO FOR THIS SECTION 1

2 Physical Security Physical security plan a. Perimeter Lighting (exterior) b. Perimeter Doors c. Windows d. Interior Doors e. Interior Lighting - Halls f. Interior Lighting - Rooms g. Alarms - (duress and intrusion) h. Communications i. Evacuation Plan j. Fire Detection - Smoke Detectors k. Fire Protection - Hydrants, Hoses and Extinguisher l. Parking Lots m. Auxiliary Power Physical Security Written Manual a. The Physical Security Plan b. Security Operations c. Special Operations Plan d. Hostage Situation Response Plans e. High Risk Trial Plans f. Emergency Procedures for Medical, Fire, Bombs, and Disasters Physical Security Physical Facilities Timing sequence a. General public shall be admitted to the courtroom first b. Second, the prisoner shall be brought into the courtroom c. Third, the judge enters the courtroom d. Fourth, the jury (if any) enters the courtroom e. In clearing the courtroom, the above procedure is followed in reverse Physical Security Security - Search of the courtroom for contraband - One point of entry and exit in the main lobby. - Screening process for weapons Video of student hiding weapons: - In-custody prisoners be kept in leg irons 2

3 Equipment - Duress alarms Physical Security - Emergency lighting - Have available leg irons for restraining Physical Security Equipment is at the disposal of all bailiffs a. Handcuffs b. Handguns c. PR-24 baton or collapsing baton d. Two-way radios e. O.C. Spray Tazer Security Checklist urces/publications/manuals/security/cs_au dit-checklist.pdf The link above is a great resource to ensure all areas are being covered. Very Extensive Courthouse shootings around the nation in the past 15 years March 2, 1995, King County Courthouse in Seattle. May 29, 2002, Milwaukee County Safety Building, Milwaukee, Wis. Aug. 16, 2002, Lake County Courthouse, near Chicago. Sept. 29, 2003, Hennepin County Government Center, Minneapolis. 3

4 Courthouse shootings around the nation in the past 15 years Oct. 31, 2003, Van Nuys, Calif. Video JLYihtw Feb. 24, 2005, in front of Smith County Courthouse, Tyler, Texas. Video SzV00-Y&feature Courthouse shootings around the nation in the past 15 years March 11, 2005, Fulton County Courthouse, Atlanta. June 15, 2005, Middletown, Conn. Personal Awareness Warning Signs to look for Baggy or loose clothing Very nervous Sweating when it is cold outside Blood Shot Eyes Can not sit still Will not make eye contact Personal Awareness How to react when a security threat is located. Stay Calm! Screaming and yelling does nothing to help. Ask the security officer for assistance. If they enter your space, make some distance between you and the suspect. Ask them to please back up. 4

5 Personal Awareness Skit SKIT Weapon Personal Awareness Escape How could you tell this person had a weapon? Bulge in lower back Trying to avoid the detector Very nervous Making excuses for the metal detector going off What do you do when you find a weapon? Hit your duress alarm without the suspect knowing. Wait for an armed police Officer. Try to stay calm. If the suspect presents the weapon, do what he or she says. Do not try to fight! What to look for Looks for exits immediately. Suspect can not stand still. Suspect is sweating in a cold room. What can you do to stop this situation? Get closer to the suspect, hands on if possible (security) Call the suspect out on the situation. Try to be as nice as possible. Personal Awareness Video Suspect tries to grab gun from Officer in courtroom. 0eyzhc&feature=related Identify Suspicious Activities Tons of questions Time of opening? How many Judges in Courtroom? Number of security personnel? Is security armed? What do you do? Find out info on the inquirer Report the activity 5

6 Skit Identify Suspicious Activities Bomb Threat What do you DO? Get as much information from the caller as possible. Ask as many questions as possible. Keep the caller on the line and record everything that is said. Notify the police and building management. Skit Identify Suspicious Activities Found a Suspicious package What do you DO? If I see a suspicious package? DO NOT open or shake it. DO NOT carry or show to others. DO NOT sniff, touch or taste. DO alert others in the area. Leave the area, prevent others from entering. Create a list of persons in the room where the package was received. Call the police. Tips from the US Marshal Service Who are they and what they do Senior inspectors, deputy marshals and contracted court security officers (CSOs) 94 federal judicial districts and in the District of Columbia Superior Court. 2,000 sitting judges and countless other court officials at over 800 locations Tips from the US Marshal Service You are vulnerable simply in your position as a Government employee There are more anti-government groups and individuals in our society today Domestic violence can spill over into the workplace 6

7 Incident Courtroom Shooting Ends in Death German Gunman Allegedly Kills His Sister-in- Law at Court Hearing, Officials Say Tips from the US Marshal Service Prisoners in courtrooms require your vigilance The reality is no law enforcement officer can completely protect you You must be part of the security process Tips from the US Marshal Service Understand that fences, gates and door locks are temporary locking measures that can be breached Know that certain elements in society are intent on harming the judiciary make it your responsibility to keep them safe in their work environment Summary of the Best Tips: Home and Personal Life # 2 - Do not keep or carry a weapon unless it is in proper working condition and you have been trained in the correct use of it. # 5 - Do not use your judiciary authority or title to perform peacekeeping functions when you are away from your court. Leave that to the police. Be a good witness. 7

8 Home Telephone # 9 - Do not have a listed or published telephone number or address. # 10 - Do not announce your name and phone number on the outgoing message on your home answering machine. # 13 - Do not expect privacy when talking on a cellular or cordless telephone. Home Mailing Address # 18 - Do not take magazines to the courthouse until you remove mailing labels containing your name and address. Commuting # 19 - Do not always drive the same route to and from your home and office. # 20 - Do not arrive at or leave the courthouse at the same time every day. # 22 - Do not be paranoid, but be aware if someone is staring at you or following you. # 24 - Do not enter or leave the courthouse in darkness if you can avoid it. Courthouse Parking Lot # 26 - Do not reserve your parking space with a sign that says "Judge" or your name. # 30 - Do not enter your vehicle without first looking under the car and inside for any signs of hidden persons or tampering. Video Break (Fight In Front of Courtroom) 8

9 Video Rock Hill Municipal Court. Tim s Second Day No Audio Watch how fast the violence happens At the Courthouse # 31 - Do not conduct court sessions or hearings in the absence of a court security officer. # 34 - Do not run from the bench if shooting begins in your courtroom. Drop behind it and lie flat. # 38 - Do not allow disruptive persons to remain in your courtroom if you can have them legally removed. At the Courthouse Continued # 39 - Do not hesitate to request additional security for a high- risk trial or a high-risk person. # 44 - Do not drink from glasses or water pitchers that have been left unattended in the courtroom on the bench. # 45 - Do not think that just because you have never had court violence that it will never happen in your courtroom. Video Break (Las Vegas Court House Shooting) Link To Video Video bjyrzk&feature=related Jan 4 th 2010 Johnny Wicks, lost a recent Social Security claim opened fire with a shotgun in a federal courthouse 9

10 In Your Chamber / Office # 46 - Do not display family photographs in your chambers where visitors can see them. Turn them toward you. # 47 - Do not allow persons in the custody of law enforcement to be brought to your residence or chambers. Meet them in the courtroom or police station. # 52 - Do not use hollow core doors on your chambers. Throughout the Facility # 56 - Do not have heavy or sharp items on the bench or your desk where others can grab them. Leave them in drawers. Incident Defendant shot dead after attacking trial judge Throughout the Facility # 59 - Do not run into the hallway if you hear gunfire in the courthouse. Seek immediate cover and have your chambers and courtroom secured. # 63 - Do not assume that duress alarms are in working condition. Test them regularly. 10

11 Throughout the Facility # 65 - Do not allow intoxicated persons to enter or remain in the courthouse. # 72 - Do not allow your staff to tell strangers where you are or give out your schedule. # 74 - Do not try to get up if you have been shot. Play dead and do not move. Wait for help. Do not invite another shot. Telephone and Mail # 79 - Do not continue to talk on the telephone with a person who is hostile or threatening unless the person identifies himself or herself to you. # 82 - Do not open unlabelled packages or gifts delivered to your home or office. Public and the Media # 86 - Do not eat food prepared or served by persons you have had in your court as criminal defendants or losing parties. # 89 - Do not become intoxicated in public, thereby becoming vulnerable. # 93 - Do not tell the media (or publish reports) about the kind of security you have in place or what weaknesses your court has that needs to be improved. Further information contact: National Center for State Courts Court Consulting Services th Street Suite 2900 Denver, CO (303)

12 Information For all 101 tips go to. SOPTR=143 Conclusion We all need to be aware of the threats we face everyday on our job Do not be the victim Be prepared Ask Questions Know how to react If you need any help finding resources/information on courtroom security feel free to us Questions? Comments [email protected] [email protected] 12