NCJ Number
47854
Date Published
1978
Length
144 pages
Annotation
THIS MANUAL PROVIDES THE PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS OF COURT SECURITY, DISCUSSES EXISTING PROBLEMS, AND TELLS HOW TO DEVELOP A SECURITY PROGRAM AND PREPARE SECURITY PROCEDURES AND BAILIFFS' MANUALS.
Abstract
COURT SECURITY IS DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF POLICY AND PROCEDURES, PHYSICAL SECURITY (INCLUDING EQUIPMENT AND ARCHITECTURE), AND PERSONNEL. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE USE OF THE MANUAL IS PROVIDED. BACKGROUND RESEARCH IS NOTED, POINTING OUT THE AVAILABLE LITERATURE AND INTERVIEW FINDINGS RELATING TO VIOLENCE IN CIVIL COURT, THE IMPACT OF SERIOUS INCIDENTS ON SECURITY PROCEDURES, THE USE OF EXISTING SECURITY MEASURES, COURTHOUSE CONSTRUCTION, AND TRAINING. THE NEXT SECTION DISCUSSES CONTEMPORARY SECURITY, INCLUDING: (1) THE RELATIONSHIP OF SECURITY TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM; (2) THREATS TO COURT PROCESSES; (3) MEASURES TAKEN TO COUNTER THREATS; AND (4) RESPONSIBILITY FOR COURT SECURITY. THE FOLLOWING SECTION IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE AND PROVIDES SECURITY PLANNERS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT DEVELOPING POLICY AND PREPARING TWO KEY PUBLICATIONS -- THE SECURITY PROCEDUES AND THE BAILIFFS' MANUALS. GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE PROVIDED REGARDING REGULAR SECURITY PROCEDURES, SPECIAL OPERATIONS PLANS, HOSTAGE SITUATIONS, HIGH-RISK TRIALS, AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. THE FOCUS OF THE NEXT SECTION IS THE PHYSICAL SECURITY SURVEY AND HOW TO CONDUCT IT. PHYSICAL SECURITY BARRIERS ARE NOTED, AND THE ELEMENTS OF THE SURVEY ARE IDENTIFIED. SURVEY AND POSTSURVEY ACTIVITIES ARE DISCUSSED; THE FORMAT AND CONTENT OF THE SURVEY REPORT ARE OUTLINED. A DISCUSSION OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT MAY BE NEEDED IN A COURT BUILDING AND STANDARDS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT ITEMS, INCLUDING WAYS TO IMPROVE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES, ARE PRESENTED. PERSONNEL SELECTION, ASSIGNMENT, USE, AND TRAINING ARE DISCUSSED, WITH ATTENTION TO EVALUATION, MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TRAINING PROGRAM, THE TRAINING PLAN, AND MANAGEMENT CONTROL. THE FINAL SECTION TAKES UP ARCHITECTURAL MATTERS THAT WILL HELP SECURITY OFFICERS MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PLANNERS AND BECOME INVOLVED EARLY IN THE PLANNING PHASE. SECURITY INPUT IN PLANNING, SECURITY AND DESIGN, COURTROOM DESIGN GUIDELINES, AND DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR ANCILLARY COURTROOM AREAS ARE EXAMINED. A MODEL COURT FACILITY IS DETAILED. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE COURT SECURITY ISSUES; A SAMPLE COURT ORDER FOR SEQUESTERED JURIES; SEQUESTERED JURY FORMS; A BOMB THREAT REPORT FORM; BOMB SEARCH PROCEDURES; DETAILS ON BOMB DETECTION AND DISPOSAL ASSISTANCE; A TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR A MODEL BAILIFFS' MANUAL; A SAMPLE SECURITY CHECKLIST, SAFE CLASSIFICATIONS AND FIRE RATINGS; AND SELECTED STANDARDS, REPORTS, AND GUIDELINES PREPARED BY THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDARDS LABORATORY. A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND INDEX ARE INCLUDED. TABULAR DATA AND SAMPLE FLOOR PLANS ARE PROVIDED. FOR A COMPANION TRAINING MANUAL, SEE NCJ-47853. (KBL)