347 - Court Facility Entry Screening

347.1 PURPOSE

This Order establishes the policy and procedures for the security screening of all persons entering court facilities within the County of Hartwell.

347.2 POLICY

The Hartwell County Sheriffs Department is committed to providing a safe and secure environment, achieved through proactive preventative action, within the court facilities of Hartwell County. In furtherance of our commitment, this policy sets fourth the procedures by which Sheriff's Court Protection Unit (CPU) personnel, in cooperation with contract security officer services, will conduct entry screening at court facilities.

Reference: Court Order issued by the Presiding Judge of the Hartwell Superior Courts reference entry screening and Hartwell County Ordinance 267-1/Courthouse Screening 347.3 PROCEDURE Entry screening:

The purpose of entry screening at court facilities is to detect and prevent the entry of unauthorized weapons, potential weapons, explosives, incendiary devices or any items or objects which could become weapons of opportunity or could be used to facilitate an escape of inmates.

• Staffing will consist of Deputy Sheriffs and/or contract security officers.
• Screening equipment will consist of one or more of the following: Hand-held wands, Magnetometers, X-ray Machines and recorded Video Monitoring Systems.

347.4 AUTHORITY

The primary authority for conducting the screening process is derived from a court order issued by the Presiding Judge of the Superior Courts of Hartwell County and by County Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of Hartwell County. It is noted that:

• The public has the right to refuse the screening process and inspection of their personal belongings.
• The public has the right to stop the screening of their persons or personal belongings at anytime during the screening process unless an obvious threat or illegal contraband has been detected or identified.
• Access to the courthouse facility shall be denied to those persons electing not to be screened or those persons who withdraw consent during the entry screening process.
• Personal belongings not screened will be denied access into the facility.
• From time to time, persons entering a court facility may object to being screened and/or question the authority of preventing certain objects from entering court facilities. When such conflicts arise and cannot be resolved by way of explanation of the screeners, the CPU supervisor shall be notified.

347.5 CONDUCT AND DEMEANOR

• Security Personnel shall be dressed in their issued uniform, including insignia and shoulder patches that readily identify as a security officer of the courthouse. They shall not wear any clothing over their uniform or head covering that is not standard issued.
• Regardless of provocation, entry-screening personnel will be professional and courteous in their conduct and demeanor at all times.
• When reasonable, entry-screening personnel will, upon request, provide information to the public relative to justification and authority. This is crucial to maintaining the public's support of the entry screening process.
• Entry screening personnel shall not impede the work of county and court staff by engaging in frivolous conversations that are not directly related to assigned duties, unless both parties are on break.
• Entry screening personnel shall not temporarily hold, store, or keep personal property or prohibited items belonging to persons entering court facilities. Prohibited items shall not be discarded by screeners on the behalf of persons and shall not be discarded in trash receptacles within the facility.
• Security officer's/deputies assigned to entry screening may consume beverages, in a discrete manner, while assigned at the Entry Screening Station; however, entry screening personnel will not consume beverages while actively engaged in the screening of persons entering the facility.
• Security Personnel shall not be on their personal communication devices (PCD), tablets or computers while screening. The use of PCD's, tablets, and laptops shall be limited to break times while outside of the screening area.

347.6 CONTRACT SECURITY OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES

All contract security officers who may be assigned to court facility; entry-screening stations shall be responsible for the following:

• Proper operation, maintenance and upkeep of their respective entry screening stations and any and all equipment used in the screening process.
• Greeting and acknowledging persons entering court facilities using tact/diplomacy and a professional demeanor representative of the Sheriff’s Department.
• Ensuring that all persons who enter court facilities (with the discretionary exception of judicial officers and peace officers on verifiable official business) comply with the established entry screening requirements.
• When necessary, conducting non-intrusionary searches of persons being screened, and thorough searches of their personal and hand-carried items that may contain prohibited items. These searches should always be by way of verbal consent. If someone denies consent, they are denied access to the courthouse.
• Utilizing the procedures established herein, preventing any/all prohibited items from entering court facilities and immediately notifying a court deputy/bailiff when suspected illegal contraband is found/detected during the screening process.
• Ensure communication devices are working, and officers have direct contact with the CPU for any security related issues.

Contract security officers shall immediately notify the CPU Supervisor or, in their absence, the senior deputy of any of the following:

• Uncooperative, disorderly, threatening or potentially dangerous individual(s) personally observed or brought to their attention.
• Any breeches of security or other similar or related incidents brought to their attention.
• Any suspicious activity or unattended item left in the screening area.
• Anyone entering the facility who displays objective symptoms of intoxication and/or are a danger to themselves or others due to their level of intoxication.

Contract Security Officers shall make immediate notification to the CPU Supervisor or, in their absence, the senior deputy under the following circumstances:

• When major threats to or breeches of facility security are received or occur.
• Upon receipt of personnel complaints related specifically to the individual actions or demeanor of screening personnel (this does not include complaints of a policy or procedural nature).
• When injuries are sustained by employees or members of the public while on court premises (regardless of cause).
• When any known crime occurs in the screening area.

347.7 CPU DEPUTY RESPONSIBILITIES

Deputies assigned to or present at court entry screening stations will be responsible for the following:

• Absent the involvement of a supervisor or senior sworn Sheriff’s Department member, the deputy present will have final authority on all decisions or matters relative to searches, seizures and the exclusion of items from the court facility, which are deemed to be prohibited.
• When in dispute, deputies will physically inspect the items in dispute and will utilize applicable penal codes and the list of prohibited items contained within the standing order of the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Hartwell County and Hartwell County Ordinance 267-1/Courthouse Screening when making a final determination.
• Respond as needed to breeches of security, found/seized contraband items of a criminal nature, disputes over entry denials, and unusual circumstances or situations that may impact facility security.
• When appropriate will arrest and take custody of persons attempting entry into court facilities who are found to be in possession of contraband.
• Deputy Sheriffs will take custody and control of all items of contraband seized during entry screening, and will take custody and control of any and all found/unclaimed property left at the facility entry screening station in accordance with Sheriff’s Department policies and procedures.
• All confiscated weapons seized pursuant to applicable penal codes or court order shall be held as evidence until the adjudication of the case.

Deputy Sheriffs will make immediate notification to a supervisor under the following circumstances:

• When major threats to or breeches of facility security are received or occur.
• When arrest(s) are made of person(s) attempting entry into court facilities with contraband items.
• Upon receipt of personnel complaints related specifically to the individual actions or demeanor of screening personnel (this does not include complaints of a policy or procedural nature).
• When injuries are sustained by employees or members of the public while in the courthouse (regardless of cause).

347.8 ENTRY SCREENING STATION ASSIGNMENTS AND EQUIPMENT

Specific staffing requirements will be determined by the CPU Division Commander having control over the respective court facility. Entry screening duties and assignments will generally consist of contract security officers and/or Sheriff's CPU personnel who will staff one or more of the following:

• Monitoring and control of entrance lanes.
• Observation of persons passing through the magnetometers
• Monitoring of x-ray machine entry and exit conveyors, and machine images.
• Follow-up inspection (visual and hand-held scanner) of all persons activating the magnetometer alarms.
• Physical inspection and control of items indicated by x-ray examination.
• Observation and control of the exit lanes.

Entry screening equipment:

The three main items of screening equipment in use at court facility entry screening stations are the walk-through magnetometer (metal detector), hand-held scanners (hand wands) and x-ray machines. The manufacturer's operating manuals for all three items of equipment shall be made available for all personnel to review and reference as needed. All personnel assigned to entry screening duties shall operate the equipment in strict accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and instructions. Personnel shall not move, alter or adjust the sensitivity or settings of this equipment unless designated or directed to do so by a supervisor.

347.9 ENTRY SCREENING PROCESS

The screening process is initiated when a screener first observes a person entering or preparing to enter a court facility.

• During this visual inspection phase, the screener shall be conscious of the person's dress and demeanor.
• The screener shall also note any bulges or unusual shapes in the clothing, as well as unusual or bulky articles of clothing being worn or carried by the person.
• The screener shall be conscious of pouches or sheaths worn openly, gloves, headgear and footwear.
• The screener shall also note any personal or hand-carried items in the person's possession.
• After entry, the person shall be cordially greeted and instructed to remove all metal objects or items containing metal objects from his/her pockets.
• The screener shall then direct the person to place all objects removed from his/her pockets, including wallets/billfolds, into the screening baskets provided.
• The screener shall then direct the person to place all personal belongings or hand-held items large enough to conceal a weapon or explosive device onto the x-ray machine conveyor.
• In the absence of an x-ray machine, the person shall be instructed to place such items onto an examination table in view of the person.
• The screener shall be conscious of the cooperativeness and demeanor of the person, as well as any unusual degree of nervousness that the person may be displaying.
• Items placed into the screening basket shall be inspected by the screener in the presence of the person.

Use of magnetometers:

After inspection of the items placed into the screening baskets, the person shall be directed to walk through the magnetometer.

• In the event the magnetometer alarm sounds (indicating the presence of metal on the person), the person shall be asked to check his/her person and pockets for any additional objects or items containing metal.
• If additional objects or items are located on his/her person, the screener shall likewise direct the person to place the objects or items into the screening basket provided and shall inspect the additional items.
• The person shall again be directed to walk through the magnetometer a second time, to verify the elimination of the source of the first alarm.
• If the magnetometer alarm sounds again, the screener shall then use a hand-held scanner (hand wand) to conduct further inspection of the person, using the wanding methods listed in 10.0, Use of Hand-held scanners (hand wands).
• The screener shall continue to use the hand wand method until the source of the alarm is absolutely and positively identified.
• Persons not cleared by way of the magnetometer or hand-held scanners shall not be given access to their hand carded items until such time as they are satisfactorily cleared.

Use of hand-held scanners (Hand wands):

• Hand-held scanners are sensitive to metal but will only alarm when the broad surfaces of the sensing element are placed in close proximity to metal objects.
• The sensing element should be used parallel to the area being inspected, and should be held 1 # 3 inches above the surface of the part of the body being inspected.
• Hand-held scanners shall be tested and inspected daily, prior to the beginning of each shift. If a unit is found to be inoperative, the screener should notify their supervisor immediately so that a replacement unit can be provided.
• The screener shall start the wanding process at the same location on the person's body each time.
• The inspection should follow a systematic pattern until the screener has covered both the front and back of the person's body, from the top of his/her head to the floor.
• Screeners shall overlap in their wanding pattern, starting at the point in which an identified source or object has been located to ensure that a secondary object is not concealed in or near the same location of the persons body where previous objects have been found.
• The method of overlapping shall be continued until the entire surface of the body has been inspected and cleared.

Pat-down searches:

If the hand-held scanner fails to resolve the source of an alarm, persons may be asked to consent to a pat-down search of their persons. Likewise, persons with certain medical conditions, devices or implants may request that a screener conduct a pat-down search of their persons in lieu of passing through a magnetometer

• When a pat-down search is deemed appropriate, the pat-down search should only be conducted by a CPU deputy of the same sex. This search shall be done by consent only, unless the deputy believes there is probable cause or articulable facts to believe the subject has committed a law violation.
• When the magnetometer and hand-held scanner fails to clear a person, the pat-down search shall be limited to the area of the unresolved alarm and only to the extent necessary to ensure that there are no prohibited items on the person.
• Pat-down searches should be as least intrusionary as possible and should be conducted in such a manner as to maintain the dignity of the person being searched. Therefore, the pat-down search may be conducted in the pat-down room or a designated private area. If the search is conducted in the described area, two (2) security personnel will be present
• Persons, who decline or revoke consent to a pat-down search when deemed necessary by a court deputy/bailiff, shall be denied access to the court facility.

Use of x-ray equipment:

Screeners shall have a thorough understanding and knowledge of the x-ray equipment at their respective screening stations, to include the direction of the x-ray beam, and interpretation of images on the equipment's monitor

• Screeners shall process items or articles in such a manner and at such a pace as to ensure the identity of the contents of each hand carried item inspected.
• The integrity of the process shall not be compromised by the volume of patrons awaiting access or by other distractions that may be present.
• The proper x-ray method begins at the point in which an item or article is placed onto the entry conveyor.
• Knowledge of the direction of the x-ray beam is important so that screeners ensure items or articles are loaded in such a manner as to present the widest, flattest surface of the item or article to the x-ray beam.
• Hand-carried items often contain bags, pouches, or similar items within, which, depending on their contents, can block the view of the main item or article being inspected. Under these circumstances, the screener shall obtain consent from the person to remove the bags, pouches or similar items from the main item for the purpose of x-raying each item separately.
• Scientific film, x-ray film and high-speed film (ASA 1000 or higher) should be physically inspected and should not be inspected by x-ray.
• As with the inspection of their persons, patrons have the right to request that items or articles be physically inspected in lieu of being examined by x-ray. Items that cannot be satisfactorily cleared by physical inspection shall be denied access to the court facility.

Inspection of hand-carried items:

All hand-carried items of a size and nature capable of containing or concealing prohibited items shall be inspected.

• The inspection will be accomplished either by x-ray examination, physical inspection or both.
• As with the inspection of their persons, patrons have the right to refuse inspection of their personal items or belongings. Items that cannot be satisfactorily cleared by physical inspection shall be denied access to the court facility.

Physical inspection policy:

Physical inspections of hand-carried items or articles shall be conducted under the following circumstances

• When x-ray equipment fails to adequately clear an item or article and the inspection is deemed necessary by the screener.
• When a court facility is not equipped with x-ray screening equipment and the inspection is deemed necessary by the screener.
• When a person entering requests a physical inspection of a hand carried item or article, in lieu of x-ray inspection.

Physical inspection procedures:

All physical inspections of hand-carried items or articles shall be thorough and methodical, and shall be conducted in the immediate presence of the owner.

• Except when conducted at the request of the individual, consent shall be obtained from the individual prior to conducting physical inspections of an intrusive nature.
• Searches of an intrusive nature would include, but are not limited to, internal searches of purses, hand bags, briefcases, wallets, fanny packs, back packs or similar hand-carried items or articles of a personal nature.
• The consent requirement shall not apply to items or articles found/abandoned where the search of the item or article is for the purposes of identifying its owner, or for determining the contents of the item or articles for safety purposes.
• Physical inspections of hand-carried items or articles should be conducted in such a manner as to maintain the dignity of the person whose items or articles are being searched.
• Persons, who decline or revoke consent to physical inspection of their hand-carried items or articles, when such inspection is deemed necessary for facility security, shall be denied admission of the item or article into the court facility.

Wallet inspection procedures:

The following establishes the procedures by which wallets/billfolds shall be inspected:

• Screeners shall ask persons entering the facility whether or not they have wallets on their persons
• Those persons having wallets will be directed to remove and place their wallets into the screening baskets provided, in addition to the objects removed from their pockets, which contain metal.
• In the immediate presence of the person, the screener will lift the wallet above the screening basket and shall wand both sides of the wallet at close proximity to the outside of the wallet, utilizing a hand-held scanner.
• Screeners will not open, unfold or enter the interior of the wallet during the initial wanding process and shall take precautions to prevent from dropping or inadvertently spill the contents of the wallet during the process.

If the hand-held scanner does not alarm on the contents of the wallet, the person shall have the wallet returned to them and the person shall continue with the entry screening process.

If the hand-held scanner does alarm on the contents of the wallet, the person shall be directed to:

• Place the wallet on the x-ray entry conveyor (at facilities with x-ray equipment).
• Enter through the magnetometer, after placing the wallet on the conveyor, to be cleared using normal screening procedures.

If the magnetometer alarms while the persons wallet is being examined by x-ray, the person shall be directed as follows

• To proceed to the x-ray machine, exit conveyor, and instructed to retrieve the wallet after the wallet has been satisfactorily cleared by way of x-ray examination.
• To place the cleared wallet in their hand while the screener proceeds to clear the person and source of the magnetometer alarm utilizing a hand-held scanner.

At no time shall a person be separated from their wallet except during the actual x-ray examination of the wallet (while the wallet is passing through the interior of the x-ray machine).

When an interior inspection of a wallet is deemed necessary, the same procedures outlined above; physical inspection of personal hand-carried items, shall be followed. This includes the following conditions:

• The x-ray inspection indicates the presence of one or more prohibited items in the wallet.
• The facility is not equipped with x-ray equipment and the wanding of the wallet indicates, by scanner alarm, the presence of metal within the wallet.

Persons who decline or revoke consent to an interior inspection of their wallets or billfolds, when such inspection is deemed necessary for facility security, shall be denied admission of the wallet or billfold into the court facility.

Physically impaired (non-ambulatory) persons:

Physically impaired persons can present a unique challenge to screeners and the entry screening process. Likewise, the process can be a difficult and demanding experience for non-ambulatory and other physically impaired persons. If not handled with dignity and respect, the process can be very humiliating for the person being screened. This special challenge does not; however, relieve us of our responsibility to conduct a complete and thorough search. The following procedure shall be followed with persons confined to a wheel chair.

• Upon the arrival of a non#ambulatory person in a wheel chair, the screener shall inquire as to the person's ability to walk through the magnetometer or stand far enough away from the wheel chair to allow inspection of his/her person with a hand-held scanner.
• If the person is physically incapable of this, consent to search shall be obtained from the person and a search shall be conducted of their person and the wheelchair by a deputy using the procedures as outlined.
• The wheelchair and any other ambulatory type medical devices shall be thoroughly inspected for concealed prohibited items. Close attention should be paid to blankets or coverings, and any attachments to the device.
• Hand-carried items within their possession shall be inspected using the procedures outlined above.

Service animals:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal trained to provide assistance to an individual with disability. All municipal and county ordinances that apply to animals also apply to a service animal and should be considered relative to health and safety issues concerning vaccinations and disease control. A service animal is not a pet.

If an animal accompanies an individual, and the individual asserts claim that the animal is a service animal, court security shall allow the individual to enter the court facility with the animal under the following conditions:

• The individual asserts he or she has a disability.
• The individual asserts the animal is a service animal.
• The animal does not threaten the health or safety of others.
• The individual maintains control of the animal while in the court facility.
• The individual is NOT REQUIRED to provide written documentation that the animal is a service animal.
• If court security denies entry or requires the animal to be removed after entry, the CPU supervisor shall be notified. The CPU supervisor will evaluate the situation and make reasonable attempts to accommodate the individual if appropriate. If an accommodation cannot be made, the court security supervisor shall prepare a memorandum. The memorandum shall include the justification for not allowing the service animal into the facility. The memorandum shall be directed to the CPU Lieutenant. The CPU Lieutenant will forward a copy of the memorandum to the Sheriff via the chain of command.

Strollers/child carrying devices:

Persons who enter court facilities with child strollers or child carrying devices shall be inspected following the same guidelines as that of persons in wheel chairs, outlined above.

• If the child is unable to walk unaccompanied, the child may be carried through the magnetometer by a parent or guardian.
• Hand-carried items shall be inspected using the procedures contained herein.

Deliveries/mail:

Frequent deliveries are made to court facilities by vendors and suppliers. Deliveries often consist of office supplies (both bulk and small), vending machine supplies and bottled water. Delivery persons themselves shall be screened in accordance with entry screening procedures.

• Large or bulk items shall be visually and physically inspected.
• Items small enough to be hand-carried shall be inspected using x-ray equipment (when available). If the source or nature of a delivery is in question, screeners shall contact a court supervisor within the courts to verify the authenticity of the delivery.
• All packages delivered by U.S. Postal Service, United Parcel Service, Federal Express or any other delivery service shall be inspected using x-ray equipment (when available) prior to addressee delivery.

Court evidence protocol:

When court evidence--specifically, firearms, replica firearms, ammunition, deadly weapons, knives, tear gas containers, taser-stun guns, and metallic or paint projectile instruments--are brought to court by persons other than a readily identifiable peace officer, the following procedures shall be implemented:

• The individual(s) transporting any of the items described below shall be properly identified.
• Screeners shall obtain confirmation with the courtroom deputy on the expected arrival of the evidence.
• The transporting individual shall remain at the entry screening station with the court evidence, until they can be provided an escort by the investigating peace officer from the investigating law enforcement agency or a court deputy.
• Prior to allowing entry of firearms as evidence into the facility, the firearm shall be cleared as safe and rendered inoperable by the investigating peace officer and/or the court deputy.
• Contract security officers shall not clear firearms.

Armed Plainclothes/Off-Duty Peace Officers:

• In accordance with Penal Code Section 171 b, entry screening personnel shall inquire as to whether or not a peace officer, armed and dressed in plainclothes attire, is a "party to an action" pending before the court, prior to allowing entry into the court facility. Peace officers who are a party to an action pending before the court shall not be allowed entry into the court facility with their firearm.
• Entry screening personnel shall request and view proper agency or department identification prior to allowing armed plainclothes peace officers, entry into the court facility.
• All armed, plain clothed peace officers entering any court facility shall wear their departmental issued identification card in a readily visible location at all times while in the court facility.
• Any questions or disputes arising out the enforcement of this section shall immediately be referred to a court deputy or CPU supervisor for resolution.
• Plainclothes peace officers, the District Attorney, and Deputy District Attorneys may display their issued badges upon entering the courthouse screening area. They will be directed through the metal detector along with their belongings without requiring their personal items to be screened through the x-ray machine.

Screening station logs:

• When required, contract security personnel shall be responsible for maintaining entry screening station logs for their respective station.
• The requirement of logs, consisting of, but not limited to, pass#on logs, plain clothes officer logs, contraband detection logs and equipment service logs, will vary from facility to facility and shall be determined by the CPU supervisor having control over the facility.

Prohibited items - by statue:

Any item or article having the potential to inflict or cause physical harm shall be inspected to determine whether it has been filed, sharpened, honed, or in any other manner altered to the extent that it meets the definition of prohibited weapons as defined in Penal Code Sections 12020 and 171b. Prohibited items shall include all weapons or instruments described in the following penal code sections:

• 171b P.C. # Unauthorized possession of weapons in state or local public buildings or at public meetings.
• 244.5 P.C. # Stun gun or taser; assault, punishment.
• 653k P.C. # Switch blade knife/gravity knife having a blade longer than two inches; possession in motor vehicle; carrying; sale or disposition; definitions.
• 12402 P.C. #Tear gas weapon
• 12020P.C. # Manufacture, import, sale, supply or possession of certain weapons and explosives.

Prohibited items by order of the Court shall also include the following:

General prohibited Items listed as follows:

• Firearms possessed by anyone other than peace officers, regardless of CCW. The only exceptions to this are judicial officers who possess a valid CCW.
• Firearms possessed by peace officers when attending Family Law Court or when the peace officer is a party to an action pending before the Court.
• All bullets and ammunition possessed by anyone other than peace officers, regardless of CCW. The only exceptions to this are judicial officers who possess a valid CCW.
• All taser guns.
• All stun guns.
• All gun-shaped lighters.
• Toy or replica guns.
• Handcuffs # Except those possessed by sworn peace officers.
• Chemical agents listed as follows:
• All mace, pepper gas, animal repellant, butane fuel.

Knives listed as follows:

• Buck type # all size blades.
• Swiss Army/utility type knives # all size blades.
• Butter and steak knives # all size blades.
• Multi-tool type knives # all size blades
• Concealable/disguised knives #all size blades.

Scissors listed as follows:

• All sewing types with a length in excess of 2 inches.
• Razors listed as follows:
• Single blades.
• All box cutters.
• All "exacto" type tools (open retractable razor with handle).

Tools listed as follows:

• All large tools (screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, hammers, etc.) in excess of 6 inches in length (screwdrivers not to excess 2 inches in length).
• Ice picks.

Miscellaneous items include:

• Darts.
• Letter openers.
• Pieces of heavy-duty wire/heavy gauge chains with an overall length in excess of 24 inches.
• Laser pointers # Except those for use by attorneys in courtroom presentations.
• Skateboards/skates.
• Needles/syringes (non-diabetic person(s) without prescription)
• Handcuff keys # Except those possessed by sworn peace officers.

o "Come-along" sticks/key chain size.

• Flammable liquids.

• Note: In all cases, a sworn supervisor or their designee may use their discretion to determine if any item (other than those items listed above) presents a safety or security risk to the court environment and may exclude that item from being brought into the court facility when deemed appropriate. When such discretion is exercised, the employee prohibiting a particular item from being brought into the court facility shall prepare a memorandum. The memorandum shall include a description of the item and the justification for not allowing the item into the facility. The memorandum shall be directed to the CPU Lieutenant, via chain of command.

347.10 EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

In the event of an alarm in the Court Facility, at least one of the Court Security personnel assigned to entrance security, and others if deemed appropriate by the person in charge of perimeter security, shall remain at the screening station. An alarm may be a planned distraction.

In the event of a perimeter alarm, such as a person exiting or entering the building through an alarmed door, entrance-screening personnel shall respond to the point of the alarm, determine the nature of the situation, and take steps to correct the situation. These actions may include determining what occurred and who is responsible, resetting the alarm, securing the door, and issuing a citation to the offender.

During emergency events such as fire, bomb threat, natural disaster, entrance-screening personnel will assist with the orderly evacuation of the Court Facility. This includes preventing persons from entering the facility and coordinating the response of emergency personnel and equipment into the facility.

During an emergency event such as escape attempt, hostage incident, weapons incident, or any other major criminal incident, entrance-screening personnel will lock the doors and secure the perimeter until safety and order is re-established.

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