Posted: 9/25/2009 12:35:27 PM EDT
|
I realize this is an open forum and some may feel this shouldn't be discussed here.
I'm writing a college paper and need some help with referencing material. I decided on the topic of improving courthouse security. I currently work in corrections, so I have a little bit of insight but am looking for any other references to avoid some of the past tragedies. I have searched for info on the Minneapolis courthouse shooting, Atlanta, GA shooting and escape. I have been searching on officer.com most of the day. If anybody wishes to IM any topics that would also be appreciated. Thanks |
|
There is an Army Field Manual on physical security and also one on security operations which cover things like avenues of approach, how to deter vehicular advances, etc. I can't for the life of me remember the name of the second one, but you could reference those and draw some pretty firm conclusions on how to protect a building, both outwardly and also controlling populations inside the building.
If you work at a prison/jail, just apply the same sterile area techniques from the inside of the holding facility, and apply them to the courtroom itself. |
|
Contact your friendly neighborhood United States Marshals Office. If you get lucky and hook up with someone willing to spend some time with your request... it will be worth it.
Currently the Department of State is helping the Iraqi Court System come up to speed based on the U.S. Marshals program in the federal courts. |
| There is no one set of answers here. I've been in tons of courthouses in multiple states, security ranges resembling Fed-max prison to absolutely no security measures at all. I've also seen poor contract security as well as poor officers on duty. Controlled access points and attentive armed personnel are the best you can hope for, unless the county/district have funds enough for Ft. Knox. |
|
Quoted:
start with : stop outsourcing it to private security companies. stop pretending that little girls and old almost-retired guys can do everything everybody else can do. No shit. If you are working an entry point you need to be armed and commissioned. Nothing worse than having the straight out of high school/ GED kids running the metal detectors. They spend more time texting than the do watching the x-ray machine. I am not going to go into to details for obvious reasons, but I know you can get guns past them, we have done it. I have no use for them, all they are is witnesses, they are unable to do anything themselves. They are constantly calling for deputies to respond to very simple shit. |
|
Quoted:
There is an Army Field Manual on physical security and also one on security operations which cover things like avenues of approach, how to deter vehicular advances, etc. I can't for the life of me remember the name of the second one, but you could reference those and draw some pretty firm conclusions on how to protect a building, both outwardly and also controlling populations inside the building. If you work at a prison/jail, just apply the same sterile area techniques from the inside of the holding facility, and apply them to the courtroom itself. FM 3-19.30 Army Physical Security Manual 15 years ago, I had a similar assignment. Ie, "This building is now a Federal Court House; secure it!" While I don't have that paper around, some of the tricks I used was having two levels of security. The first one was the reception security, the kind who manned information booths, gave directions, sought out and engaged in talked confused looking or lost people..........and were absolutely deadly in hand to hand and other non firearms methods. In short, like what one may find in a diamond sale house where the nice man who greets you at the door could snap your neck in an instant. The more serious security such as SWAT would be in non public access internal to the building. Now granted, that was 15 years ago. Secondly, satellite parking and then bus people in. No one gets to park next to the building. "But what about the judges? What about the DA? You're going to tell them that they can't?" I'll go a step further; I'll treat them like royalty and put them in limos. Finally, as a thought though I am not sure if I recommended their use then...........don't sell yourself short on police working dogs. Good luck. _______________________________ ("Okay, Rerchot '57 for us.......a 7-Up for the barbarian here."––business man who is holding the DA and his opposing lawyer hostage....ordering lunch, (w,stte), "Reasonable Doubts") |