When you need to call the police Procedure

When I am here in the building, no one should call the police except me. So get me. If I am not here, but Daisy is, get Daisy — Daisy calls. After that you’re on your own. But you need to quickly assess the situation with other staff (one other person is fine) before a call is made.

It is absolutely important that as soon as possible all other staff members in the building are to be notified that there is a problem severe enough to call the police—most of the problems occur when there are two staff members around to witness.

Once the decision is made to call the police, one person should call them and the other should alert the rest of the staff of a problem—yet try to stay close together (Ex. one person at the desk, one person calling the police from the reserve room). Try to call the police out of hearing range of the problem.

If the police have to be called—you must be feeling vulnerable and you cannot let staff go about their business unaware of what is going on.

Once the police have been called—try to stay at the front desk so you can direct them to the problem— the staff member that made the call is in charge and should be the only one doing the talking with the police—no need for interruptions or confusion.

When you call the police, remember:

• 1. Stay Calm

• 2. Let them know it’s the Taunton Public Library.

• 3. Be specific and brief. Don’t say this: “I think there is a drunk, naked patron someplace in the stacks smoking smack and drinking some type of purple liquor. I think it’s purple, it could be dark blue. But it smells like beer or maybe it’s rubbing alcohol. Could be old grape juice” Do say, “We have a drunk, naked patron in the building.”

• 4. Tell the police which door to use so they will be as close to the problem as possible. Then be at that door to direct them. Other staff members, once alerted, can keep an eye on the patron’s location to help direct police (that’s one of the reasons you need to inform staff).

• 5. Once the police are here, get out of their way.

• 6. If the situation is very, very, very bad: Arson, Rape, Murder, Staff assault --call me right away.

• 7. Write everything down. Especially the time, date, and witnesses. Give me a copy and keep a copy for yourself.