MOUNT LAUREL POLICE DEPARTMENT

GENERAL ORDER

General Order:GO- 08- 5

Subject:Unusual Incidents

Accreditation Standard:12.1.2b, 46.1.1 - 1.7, & 46.1.9

Rules and Regulations Reference:Chapter 3, 4.1.1, & 4.1.4

Distribution:A

Date Issued: May 27, 2008 Date Revised:

I.Purpose/Policy

  1. The purpose of this policy is to establish a comprehensive plan to address any unusual incidents in such a way to minimize the inherent dangers the greatest extent possible. An unusual incident may range from a single officer response to an overwhelming incident requiring Federal, State and local mutual aid to resolve. This policy is not to be used in lieu of the Township’s Emergency Operations Plan but is intended to augment it.
  1. The policy of the Mount Laurel Police Department is for all sworn personnel to follow the procedures contained within the policy as well as any relevant State and County Guidelines.
  1. Definitions
  1. Natural Disaster: An incident that is sudden or unexpected in its onset or magnitude and is not the result of any human act. Natural disasters include but not limited to, hurricanes; flash floods; snow emergencies; tornadoes; earthquakes; tornadoes.
  1. Significant Fire/EMS Incident: An incident in which the scope and magnitude require a significant commitment of resources to resolve. An incident such of this may involve a structure; a mode of transportation; Wildlands; or an explosive event whose cause is non-criminal in nature.
  1. Man-Made Incident: Examples of a man made event include but are not limited to, civil disturbances/mass arrests; airplane crash; biological, chemical, radiological threats; or acts of terrorism.
  1. Confirmed/Suspected Explosive Device: Any type of munitions or man made device designed to cause wide spread casualties or damage to property. These types of incidents are to be handled in accordance with Response to Explosive Devices and ThreatsGeneral Order.
  1. Hostage/Barricaded Incident: The holding of any person(s) against their will by an armed or suspected armed person and/or a standoff created by an armed or potentially armed suspect in any location, fortified or not, who is refusing to comply with police demands for surrender. These types of incidents are to be handled in accordance with applicable Departmental General Orders.
  1. Large Scale Planned Event: An event being held within the township that is expected to draw multiple agencies, attended by more than 500 people, and/orlast for an extended period of time i.e. the planned arrest of multiple persons at one time, or large community event.
  1. All pre-planned township or department events will have Command assigned in advance. Command is responsible for developing the ICS structure for the event and the accompanying Incident Action Plan, as needed.
  1. Incident Command System: A method used for commanding, controlling, and coordinating the efforts of individual officers or agencies as they work towards the common goals. It is made up of components that can expand or contract as the incident dictates.
  1. Incident Command System (ICS)
  1. It shall be the policy of the Mount Laurel Police Department to implement and follow the ICS for all incidents. As the on-scene personnel assess the situation, expansion of the ICS will occur.
  1. ICS will be utilized at incidents in which the magnitude or complexity of it requires large numbers of personnel, equipment and/or resources either from inside the department or other agencies to resolve. In these types of events coordination between all aspects of response is necessary and imperative.
  1. Note: All of the components may not be used for smaller incidents, but for larger incidents it may be necessary to not only use all of the components but also expand the components further.
  1. Command function:
  1. Command has overall responsibility for the incident.
  1. The first arriving officer will take command of a law enforcement incident; assess the scene; call for needed resources; and deploy units as needed.
  1. Command may be passed to another member of the Department, as appropriate, but is not mandated. The ranking officer may choose to allow the lower ranking member to maintain command if the situation dictates.
  1. Command has ultimate responsibility for the effective and safe execution of the five ICS functions. Command will perform the major ICS organizational functions of Operations, Logistics, Planning, and Finance/Administration until determining that one or more of these functions shall be delegated.
  2. Nothing precludes establishing a Unified Command depending upon the type and complexity of the incident.
  1. Designate a Level II staging area when there are a substantial number of resources responding to the incident but not immediately put into service.
  2. Thought should be given to provide a large enough area out of harms way for staging as well as assigning a Staging Area Manager to allow for documentation of resources.
  1. Establish a Public Information Officer to handle the media and release information in accordance with Release of Information to the Media General Order if the event attracts a significant media attention.
  1. Designate the responsibilities of a scribe, especially during a large-scale incident. The scribe will create an accurate accounting of the incident and the actions taken. This information will be invaluable when creating the After Action Report.
  1. Operations function.
  1. Operations function reports to Command and is responsible for the management of all tactical operations directly related to the primary goals and objectives. Consideration shall be given to the following:
  2. Establishing inner and outer perimeters
  3. Conducting scene evaluation or re-evaluation.
  4. Maintaining the command post and scene security
  5. Providing for detainee transportation, processing and confinement.
  6. Directing and controlling pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
  7. Conducting the post incident investigation.
  1. Planning Function
  1. The planning function is vital to the success of the incident and shall have responsibility for the following:
  2. Preparation of an incident action plan.
  3. Collecting and evaluating information about the incident
  4. Gathering and evaluating intelligence information.
  5. Keeping a status of resources, anticipating equipment needs.
  6. Plan for demobilization of resources.
  1. Logistics Function
  1. Provides the resources needed to fulfill the mission and is responsible for the following:
  2. Communications and development of the communication interoperability plan
  3. Transportation- Victim and Prisoner
  4. Medical Support
  5. Supplies
  6. Specialized team and equipment needs
  7. Provide and support facilities.
  1. Finance and Administration Function
  1. They handle the financial and cost analysis aspect of the incident and are responsible for the following:
  2. Recording all personnel and there time spent on the incident
  3. Procuring additional resources
  4. Recording expenses
  5. Documenting any injuries received to personnel while on scene of the incident.
  6. Process all claims.
  7. Complete FEMA reimbursement forms when necessary.
  1. Refer to Appendix A for a more thorough and complete guide of duties and responsibilities for each component.
  1. Establishing a Command Post
  1. A command post (CP) will be established and when practical, be located:
  1. In view of the incident;
  1. Away from present and potential hazard zones. Hazards include, but not limited to, wind direction; water flow; secondary explosions; and criminal element.
  1. Away from the noise and confusion of the incident.
  1. Allows for expansion if the event grows in size or complexity.
  1. In an area where landlines are available.
  1. Command will ensure the following actions are taken:
  1. All responding personnel and agencies are notified as to the location of the command post.
  1. A secure perimeter is established around the command post to control access to it.
  1. Considering establishing a Unified Command if the incident is such that there are overlapping jurisdictions involved.
  1. Procedure
  1. Unusual incidents are best described as events that do not occur with any frequency and by their nature usually occur suddenly, evolve rapidly and follow no set pattern. These types of incidents cannot always be addressed through a rigid set of procedures. Therefore, the following are basic guidelines that are to followed as closely as possible:
  1. Identify the nature and extent of the problem.
  1. Communicate all relevant information by radio, or other medium, immediately and continually to the command post.
  1. Evacuate and/or rescue victims and other persons in the area whose lives are in jeopardy and administer any urgently needed first aid.
  1. Contain and control the scene.
  1. Maintain open traffic lanes for the responding resources.
  1. Provide a means of coordination with the various responding agencies to include law enforcement, fire, EMS, other support services.
  1. Establish inner and outer perimeters around the scene as needed and allow access into the affected area by authorized persons only.
  1. The Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator may declare a state of emergency within the township in which time the Township Emergency Operations Plan and/or the Emergency Operations Center may be activated in part or in its entirety, depending upon the scope and nature of the incident.
  1. A state of emergency exists whenever, during times of public crisis, disaster, rioting, catastrophe, or similar public emergency, for any reason public safety authorities are unable to maintain public order or afford adequate protection for lives, safety or property, or whenever the occurrence of any such condition is imminent. (See Appendix B)
  1. Traffic Incident Management Trailer
  1. The Traffic Incident Management Trailer is a pre-staged resource that is equipped with various types of traffic diversionary devices and signage.
  1. The trailer may be deployed for any incident or event, planned or unplanned where there is a need to divert and/or channelize vehicle or pedestrian traffic into, out of or away from a given area(s).
  1. Shift supervisors are responsible to ensure the unit is deployed in accordance with the Traffic Management General Order.
  1. Agency Readiness
  1. After any large event an After Action Review will be conducted and the outcome documented so as to improve future responses either through training or policy change.
  1. Agency equipment designed for use in unusual occurrences should be periodically inspected for operational readiness.
  1. News Media

All requests for information regarding an incident or requests for access to a scene shall be handled in accordance with the Release of Information to the Media General Order unless otherwise directed by the Chief of Police, or designee.

  1. Tactical Flight Restrictions (TFR)

Should an event occur whereby tactical operations are in progress and there is a real concern that the suspect(s) may possess the capabilities of observing said real-time operations on television, thereby putting at risk the safety of law enforcement personnel and/or innocent victims, or that such broadcast may impede/interfere with law enforcement operations at an on-going event, the lead law enforcement agency may pursue a TFR in the area via the FAA Operations Manager in Charge of the Washington Center at the contact information stored in the in-house computer system. Note: The exact latitude and longitudinal coordinates for the event can be obtained via the in house GPS system, MCT, or department cellular phones.

  1. Closing
  1. All police procedures or policies heretofore employed by this department, which conflict with this order, are hereby rescinded.
  1. All Commanders and Supervisors shall be held accountable for the application and enforcement of this order. All members of the Mount Laurel Police Department are required to follow this order as applicable.

By Order Of:

______

Joseph Lehmann, Jr.,

Chief of Police

Effective Date: Rescinded Date:

APPENDIX A

Functional Responsibilities in the Incident Command System

Section ICommand

Activating the incident command system......

Establishing a command post......

Initiating the notification and mobilization of additional agency personnel......

Obtaining support from other agencies......

Establishing a staging area......

Providing public information and media relations......

Maintaining safety or all affected personnel......

Preparing a documented after action report......

Section IIOperations Function

Establishing perimeters......

Conducting evacuations......

Maintaining a command post and scene security......

Providing for detainee transportation, processing, and confinement......

Directing and controlling traffic......

Conducting post-incident investigations......

Section III Planning Function

Preparing a documented incident action plan......

Gathering and disseminating information and intelligence......

Planning post-incident demobilization......

Section IVLogistics Function

Communications......

Transportation......

Medical Support......

Supplies

Specialized team and equipment needs......

Section VI Finance/Administration Function

Recording personnel time......

Procuring additional resources......

Recording expenses......

Documenting injuries and liability issues......

  1. Command Function
  1. Activating the Incident Command System
  1. It shall be the policy of the Mount Laurel Police Department to implement and follow the Incident Command System (ICS) for all incidents. As the on-scene personnel assess the situation, expansion of the ICS shall occur.
  1. Major or critical incidents such as natural and man-made disasters, civil disturbances, mass arrests, bomb threats, hostage/barricaded person situations, acts of terrorism, and other unusual incidents shall require expansion of ICS to meet operational needs as necessary.
  1. Pre-planned events shall have Command assigned in advance. Command is responsible for developing the ICS structure for the event, the accompanying Incident Action Plan and the Communications Plan, as appropriate.
  1. Command shall be responsible for the activation and expansion of the ICS structure. He shall expand the structure and be responsible for each of the five functions, Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration.
  1. Command has ultimate responsibility for the effective and safe execution of the five functions and will perform the major organizational functions until determining that one or more of these functions shall be delegated.
  2. When a determination has been made to delegate a function, a Section Chief shall be assigned.
  1. Section Chiefs
  1. The Operations Section Chief shall be assigned to someone qualified to handle the duties and responsibilities of the assignment. All personnel shall become familiar with all terminology and requirements that fall under the Operation’s Function.
  1. The Planning Section Chief shall be assigned to someone qualified to handle the duties and responsibilities of the assignment. All personnel shall become familiar with all terminology and requirements that fall under the Planning Function.
  1. The Logistics Section Chief and Finance/Administration Section Chief functions shall be assigned to someone qualified to handle the duties and responsibilities of the assignment. All personnel shall become familiar with all terminology and requirements that fall under the Logistics and Finance/Administrative functions.
  1. Establishing a Command Post
  1. All incidents shall have a designated location for the Incident Command Post (ICP). The following shall be considered prior to establishing a Command Post.
  2. There will be only one ICP for each incident
  3. Initial location for the ICP should consider the nature of the incident
  4. The ICP may be located in a vehicle, trailer, tent, or within a building.
  5. On long-term incidents, it is desirable to provide an ICP facility, which will provide adequate lighting and/or protection from the weather.
  6. The ICP will be designated as CP36.
  7. The ICP shall be identified with a Flashing green light.
  1. Initiating the notification and mobilization of additional agency personnel
  1. Command shall be responsible for determining if additional resources are required.
  1. A full, or partial recall, of off duty sworn and/or communication bureau personnel will be implemented if necessary.
  1. If needed, additional resources shall be called-in. If the incident is prolonged, the 12-hour scheduled shall be considered.
  1. The Chief of Police, or designee, will authorize implementation of the 12-hour schedule.
  1. Obtaining support from other agencies
  1. If an incident is local and can be handled by local resources, Command has the authority to utilize all available resources.
  1. If an incident exceeds the limits of the township, the OEM coordinator shall be notified and the additional resources coordinated through OEM.
  1. In a police emergency, the Shift Supervisor may for call mutual aid as needed. When this occurs, the supervisor shall cause immediate notification to be made to the next level of command.
  1. Staging Areas
  1. If necessary, establish a Level I staging area for responding units that is close enough for a rapid response if needed, i.e. one block from the scene.
  1. If necessary, establish a Level II staging area and designate a Staging Area Manager to responsible for it. All responding personnel and equipment not immediately committed will be directed there to await assignment. The following considerations will be taken into account prior to designating this area:
  2. Close to location of tactical assignments (within five minutes).
  3. Located out of any possible line of direct hazard effects to minimize risk.
  4. Can be relocated if necessary.
  5. Have different access routes for incoming and outgoing resources.
  6. Large enough to accommodate available resources and have room for growth.
  7. Clearly marked.
  8. Located to minimize environmental damage.
  9. Area security.
  1. Providing public information and media relations
  1. Release of information to the media will be done in accordance with Release of Information to the Media General Order. In any major event, a Public Information Officer will be assigned and be responsible for developing and releasing information about the incident to the news media, to incident personnel, and to other appropriate agencies and organizations. The responsibilities of the Information Officer are as follows:
  2. Determine from Command if there are any limits on information release.
  3. Develop material for use in media briefings.
  4. Obtain Command approval of media releases.
  5. Inform media and conduct briefings.
  6. Establish staging area if needed.
  7. Arrange for tours and other interviews or briefings that may be required.
  8. Obtain media information that may be useful to incident planning.
  9. Maintain current information summaries and/or displays on the incident and provide information on status of incident to assigned personnel.
  10. Maintain Unit Log (Form 214).
  1. Maintain safety for all affected personnel
  1. If needed, a Safety Officer shall be assigned.