Policy
An officer may be dispatched to an incident in which the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) has been threatened (a WMD Threat); however, no known event has occurred and there are no known casualties. If a suspicious substance or device is present and a threat has been received, officers should follow the guidelines listed below when responding to such incidents:
- Isolate the area and do not enter an area where a suspicious substance/device may be present.
- Notify MECC and request that a supervisor and the Bomb Squad respond.
- MFD HAZMAT should be requested if necessary.
- Keep those who have been potentially exposed to a suspicious substance isolated and at the scene until medical personnel have evaluated them or the incident has been deemed safe.
- If possible, those exposed should wash exposed areas with soap and water.
- Solicit as much information from witnesses about the threat and suspicious substance (i.e., suspect actions, substance color, odor, and form such as liquid, gas, solid, powder).
- If there is no suspicious package or device present, but a threat of a WMD incident has been received, the officer shall notify his/her supervisor and MECC. MECC shall notify the Watch Commander. An offense report titled “BOMBT” shall be completed immediately and forwarded to the Bomb/Arson Unit for investigation and further notification of the FBI if required.
Definitions
Refer to the Commonly Used Terms page for general definitions.
- Investigation: A structured process of gathering, examining, and evaluating facts and evidence to determine what occurred, assess compliance with laws and policies, and support appropriate actions or decisions.
- MECC: Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center is the city's 911 center that answers emergency and non-emergency calls and coordinates the appropriate response by public safety services.
- Suspicious Package or Device: Any package or device that is reported to be unusual in nature due to any of the following factors: location, size, shape, odor, wrapping, markings, no known origin, etc.
- Suspicious Substance: Any substance that is emitted from or contained within a suspicious package. These substances may be liquid, solid or gas.
- Weapons of Mass Destruction: Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) are any destructive items/devices that incorporate explosives, toxic chemicals, biological materials, radiological materials, or nuclear materials, and are designed to inflict mass casualties and destruction of human life and/or property.
- WMD Incident: When a weapon of mass destruction has been used and/or a known chemical, biological, or radiological substance is present.
- WMD Threat: Any threat received whether verbal, non-verbal, or written that indicates the potential use of chemical, biological, radiological, explosive/incendiary or nuclear weapons of mass destruction.