7-320 - Hold-Up Alarms

Policy

Officers assigned to holdup alarm calls shall proceed safely to observatory positions near the site, taking care not to alert possible suspects or lookouts. 

The first officer to arrive shall determine if there are any accomplices outside the site. If there are, the dispatcher will be notified. 

If it is not evident that a robbery is in progress, the officers shall wait until a "callback" to the site is attempted. When callback arrangements have not been made with the site or a callback cannot be completed, the officers must proceed as if a robbery is in progress.

During a robbery in progress, officers will maintain their observatory positions until the suspects leave the interior of the business or site. Exceptions are limited to actions ordered by superior officers or circumstances which dictate action to protect someone from great bodily harm. Every effort should be made to prevent a hostage situation. When hostages are taken, officers will remain in position and a superior officer will immediately call for an Operation 100.

The on-site MPD supervisor has the authority to make the final determination of any action that need to be taken during the holdup call by the Department and ECB staff.

• Bodily Harm: Physical pain or injury, illness, or any impairment of physical condition.
• Great Bodily Harm: Bodily injury which creates a high probability of death, or which causes serious permanent disfigurement, or which causes a permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ, or other serious bodily harm (MN Statute section 609.02 Subd. 8).
• Operation 100: An Operation 100 is a SWAT callout where on or off-duty SWAT Tactical, Negotiators, and Tech Team members respond to a hostile event, such as an active shooter or a barricaded suspect, which exceeds the capabilities of traditional law enforcement first responders and investigators.