The Suspicious Package
You are an armed guard at a busy courthouse entrance. At 9:05 AM, a man in a hoodie and backpack approaches the screening area. He refuses to remove his backpack for X-ray, saying he has a medical device inside. You ask him to step aside for a secondary screening. He becomes agitated, clutches the backpack to his chest, and says, "You can't touch this. It's my life." You notice a faint chemical smell and a small wisp of smoke coming from the backpack. There are 30 people in the lobby, including a security checkpoint with two other guards. The man is 5 feet from you. Your training says to treat any smoking package as potentially explosive. Your radio is on your belt. The nearest exit is 40 feet behind the man.
1. What are your immediate priorities and actions?
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Immediate priorities: (1) Protect lives by evacuating and isolating. (2) Avoid triggering the device. (3) Notify emergency services. Actions: Do not attempt to grab the backpack or physically confront the man. In a calm but firm voice, tell him, "Sir, I need you to slowly place the backpack on the floor and step away from it. There is smoke coming from it, and we need to evacuate." Simultaneously, use your radio to call a code or direct the other guards to evacuate the lobby and call 911, stating there is a suspected explosive device with smoke. If the man does not comply, do not struggle with him; move away and evacuate yourself and others, keeping the package isolated. Do not use your firearm; a gunshot could detonate the device. Do not use radios or cell phones within 15 feet of the package if you suspect an explosive device, as radio frequency energy can trigger some devices. Move people at least 100 feet away and behind hard cover. The man is a potential victim or suspect; his behavior is secondary to the immediate threat. Once evacuated, secure the area and wait for bomb squad.
2. After evacuation, what information should you provide to responding officers?
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Provide a clear, concise description: the exact location of the package (e.g., "north lobby, 10 feet from the metal detector, on the floor"), a description of the package (black backpack, approx. 20x12 inches, smoke visible), a description of the man (race, height, clothing, hoodie, any distinguishing features), his direction of travel if he left, and the time the smoke was first noticed. State that you evacuated the lobby and that no one has touched the package. Note any chemical smell. Provide your name and contact information. Do not speculate about the type of device. Keep the area clear and do not re-enter. If you have CCTV, preserve the footage. Write your report immediately while details are fresh, using objective language: "I observed a wisp of smoke..." not "He was acting suspicious."