Having a robbery deterrence and response policy, as part of your overall policies and procedures, will also provide your institution with a consistent approach to all the steps you wish employees to take before, during, and after a robbery occurs. Many, if not all of the documents in this toolbox, if used by your institution, can be referenced or incorporated into such a policy.
You may want to consider portions of the following sample policy as you think through the process of revising your existing robbery deterrence and response documentation.
Preventive Measures
Employees should be instructed to be aware of all customers in the branch and to make eye contact with them when possible. Persons loitering about should be approached and offered assistance. Unusual behavior or items should be monitored and/or addressed.
Under no circumstances should patrons or contractors be allowed into the vault or allowed in areas of the branch not for public use, unless they are known and their purpose is verified.
Workmen or delivery persons approaching the doors of the branch before or after hours must provide identification and the reason for entry before being allowed into the building.
Actions During a Robbery
Every staff member must be familiar with the company’s policy and instructions regarding robbery attempts. Employees should follow the instructions of would-be robbers and not take any action that would antagonize the robber(s), or place the life of any employee or customer in jeopardy.
Employees being robbed or employees observing a robbery attempt should activate the alarm and surveillance system if the activation can be accomplished safely.
If the robbery involves only one person trying to discreetly control one individual, the individual being robbed should make no effort to signal or gain the attention of any other employees of the branch.
Employees should give no more than the amount demanded. They should be trained to ensure that bait money is also given.
Employees should attempt to provide a good description of the robber(s). Attention should be paid to the following items:
• clothing
• weapons
• speech patterns
• facial characteristics
• the method of operation
• other mannerisms or peculiarities that attract attention.
Tool 3 ABA Bank Robbery Deterrence Toolbox
3-14 © 2003 AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION, Washington, D.C.
Employees should be trained to observe areas touched or objects handled by the robber(s) so that they can be processed for fingerprints. If a demand note is used, it should be kept for evidence if it is safe to do so.
If possible and without taking undue risks, an attempt should be made to obtain a complete description of the method of transportation used by the robber(s). This may include type, model, make and color of the vehicle, the license number and the direction of travel. This should be done by observing from windows. No attempt should be made to exit the branch.
Once the robber(s) has left the bank, the bank doors should be locked to prevent the robber(s) from returning and taking hostages.
Employees must not make an attempt to follow or detain a robber.
Actions After a Robbery Has Occurred
The institution’s Manager of Branch Operations and/or management in charge at the time of the robbery is responsible for the following items:
1. Ensure that the branch is immediately closed and restrict access to the area involved until law enforcement personnel have completed the initial stage of their
investigation. Only law enforcement and the institution’s administration personnel are to be allowed into the branch until customer service has been restored.
2. Ensure that these Robbery procedures have been followed and a Robber Description Form is prepared. Provide instructions to all appropriate personnel and customers.
3. Isolate witnesses so that law enforcement staff may interview them. Employees and witnesses should not be allowed to compare information prior to being interviewed.
4. Immediate telephone notification must be given in the following order:
1. Local Police, County Sheriff or Highway Patrol 2. FBI Office (if local authorities have not responded) 3. Corporate Security
5. Descriptive information such as direction of travel, description of the car, etc., should be given to the local law enforcement agency so they may provide the information to persons responding to the alarm.
After law enforcement has processed the area for evidence, management must secure the victim’s cash drawer and work area until two persons can conveniently audit them.
Information related to the crime scene and bait money involved (dollar amount, denomination and serial numbers) should be given to the investigating law enforcement agency.
Still-photo security cameras should be opened in the presence of the FBI or law
enforcement officers. If a video camera is used, the bank’s Manager of Branch Operations should maintain custody of the videotape. The Manager of Branch Operations will surrender the film or cassette to the designated law enforcement officer collecting evidence.
ABA Bank Robbery Deterrence Toolbox Tool 3
© 2003 AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION, Washington, D.C. 3-15
Law Enforcement Response and Involvement
Law enforcement response may vary with circumstances such as number of personnel available, vehicles in the general area, and existing weather conditions. Generally, at the receipt of an alarm, the law enforcement response is to immediately dispatch officers to strategic areas surrounding the bank. When properly located, the police dispatcher will call the branch to determine if the alarm is false. All local police should have been instructed not to enter the branch, but to assume discreet positions outside until the alarm is confirmed.
Under false alarm conditions, a member of management should always meet the law enforcement officers outside the branch. This is usually done when the Police Dispatcher phones and requests the meeting. At this time, confirmation will be made whether a false alarm or an actual robbery has occurred, and only then will police enter the branch. Until a member of the bank management has made this contact, the local police will assume that the robber is still in the bank building and will be primed to apprehend anyone leaving the premises as a potential robber. Do not exit the bank to meet responding officers until the police dispatcher has requested this by phone.
Press Releases After a Robbery or Robbery Attempt
Photographers, other members of the press or other unauthorized individuals are not to be allowed in the branch during an investigation of a robbery. Under no circumstances are employees to give interviews or release information to the press. All requests for information from the news media must be directed to the employee with public relations responsibilities.
Tool 3 ABA Bank Robbery Deterrence Toolbox
3-16 © 2003 AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION, Washington, D.C.
ABA Bank Robbery Deterrence Toolbox Tool 3
© 2003 AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION, Washington, D.C. 3-17
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