Personal Security In The Court

Personal Security In The

Court

Speakers: Rock Hill Municipal

Court Security Team.

Officer Johnathan Law,

Bailiff Tim Butz

Agenda

 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

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges 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

-

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:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwAI8HWh9io

Physical Security

Equipment

- Duress alarms

- 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

http://www.courts.michigan.gov/scao/reso

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.

Courthouse shootings around

the nation in the past 15 years

· Oct. 31, 2003

, Van Nuys, Calif.

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbT-JLYihtw

· Feb. 24, 2005

, in front of Smith County

Courthouse, Tyler, Texas.

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVGm

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.

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.

Personal Awareness Skit

SKIT

Weapon

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!

Personal Awareness

Escape

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.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB81P

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

Identify Suspicious Activities



Skit

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.

Identify Suspicious Activities



Skit

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

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

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff



Summary of the Best Tips:

 # 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.

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff

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.

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff

Home Mailing Address

# 18 - Do not take magazines to the courthouse until you remove mailing labels containing your name and address.

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff

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.

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff

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

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff

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.

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff

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)

Video



Link To Video



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7HiF

bJyrzk&feature=related



Jan 4

2010

Johnny Wicks, lost a recent Social Security claim opened fire with a shotgun in a federal courthouse

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff

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.

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff

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

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff

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.

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff

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.

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff

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.

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff

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.

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff

Further information contact:

National Center for State Courts

Court Consulting Services

707 17th Street – Suite 2900

Denver, CO 80202

(303) 305-4315

101 Personal Safety Tips for Judges

and Courtroom Staff



Information found @

For all 101 tips go to….



http://contentdm.ncsconline.org/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/facilities&CI

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 Email us Questions?

Comments



jlaw@cityofrockhill.com

tbutz@cityofrockhill.com