MV PD Safety TipsĀ
Robbery Safety
Robbery has a high potential for loss of property and personal injury. The following tips can help to reduce the odds of a Robbery happening to you and therefore reduce your risk of injury through planning, training, and preparation.
In the event of a robbery, you must act quickly and calmly. Without preparation, victims tend to panic which causes a loss of valuable time, reduces the chances to recover property, reduces the chances of an arrest being made and could create a situation where people are injured. Your initial reactions immediately following a robbery are the key to solving the crime.
Follow these safety tips to reduce your chances of personal injury:
- Remain cooperative and calm at all times
- Remain silent and do as the suspect tells you do
- Remain polite and composed
- Announce in advance any sudden movements that you must make.
- Keep your hands where they can be seen
Even if you cannot see a weapon, assume the suspect has one and that it is real. - Do your best to not cost the suspect time. In a robbery situation time is not on the side of the suspect.
- Make mental notes of suspect and vehicle descriptions.
- Never try to over power a robber, chase a robber or use a weapon on him or her.
Immediately call 911 and give clear, articulate information to the
dispatcher. The immediate things that the dispatcher is going to ask are:
- Suspect(s) descriptions
- Suspect vehicle description and last known direction of travel
- Injuries
- Any weapons that were used.
If the robbery occurs at a business, be sure to activate any silent alarms available and lock the doors after the suspect(s) leave if it can be done safely.
To help prevent a robbery at your business, keep your front windows clear of signs/posters and check bathrooms/back offices before closing.