Contents
I. Background
1. Understanding the Threat of Robbery
a. Amateurs
b. Intermediate
c. Professional
John W. Kennish, CPP - Security Consultant
62 East Pond Meadow Road, Westbrook, Connecticut 06498
Phone: (860) 399-8545
Fax: (860) 399-4150
Kennish.com
E-Mail John Kennish
© 2000 John W. Kennish, CPP
Developing a Comprehensive Bank Robbery Prevention Program
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Contents I. Background 1. Understanding the Threat of Robbery a. Amateurs |
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Developing a Comprehensive Bank Robbery Prevention Program
Robbery is a threat that must continuously be reviewed because in addition to its potential for high loss, it is one of few threats which also carries with it the possibility for personal injury. However, with understanding and an effective countermeasures effort, many robbery situations can in fact be prevented, and those which do occur properly managed. In addition, through effective planning, the safety of employees, customers and law enforcement officers can also be better assured, as well as the limiting of losses, recovery, and the apprehension and successful conviction of offenders.
Most criminals are in a highly nervous or emotional state when committing an armed robbery. They may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, mentally unbalanced, driven by peer group or gang pressures, or have other dangerous anti-social tendencies. They may be desperate. They are also aware of the potential deadly consequences should they be confronted by law enforcement officers during the robbery. These criminals range from the amateur who is extremely dangerous to the hardened professional, neither of whom will tolerate interference and may have a low regard for the value of life.
The objectives of a robbery program are to prevent, assure safety, limit losses and support successful prosecution of offenders. These efforts should not be left to chance nor should they be ignored until your employee is confronted by a robber. Armed robbery is an inherent risk that is associated with the financial industry. In turn, it is within the responsibility of senior management to meet their duty in this area by developing an adequate countermeasures program. While the potential for robbery attacks cannot be totally eliminated given the nature of banking, none-the-less, these stated protection objectives can be met to a high degree based upon analysis, planning, training, preparation, and expenditures where needed. Through a variety of means, facilities and operations can be made more difficult to successfully attack, thus increasing the probability that the robber will be identified and apprehended. And employees can be trained and educated in the proper methods to follow if confronted with a robbery situation. With these protection objectives accomplished, you will then have a reasonable exposure and prevent the large majority of potential robbery attacks. At the same time, if you do not "harden" your robbery program and leave it "soft", your probabilities for an attack will increase in direct proportion.
1. Understanding the Threat of Robbery
There are several elements which are necessary for a crime to take place. These include motivation, opportunity, ability on the part of the perpetrator, a reasonable expectation of escape, and a low probability for detection and apprehension. The goal of the security practitioner is to lower the available level of opportunity and increase the potential for detection and apprehension through a variety of preventative efforts which harden the potential target in the hope of deterring the criminal. This line of logic remains the same regardless of the threat. However, and regarding the very dangerous threat of robbery, it is first necessary to consider the nature of the robber himself.
Robbers generally fall into three categories: the amateur, the intermediate, and the professional. The method of attack will vary but it will usually correspond with the degree of experience, discipline and available resources that the robber has. These methods can range from the lone gunman who passes a note, to the gang who takes the lobby over for a period of time, to the coordinated attackers who may take the Chief Executive Officer and his family hostage to effect a "morning glory" attack. Generally stated, the more experienced, competent and calculating the robber and his attack method, the safer the situation will be for the victims.
Data developed during studies of the bank robbery experience results in an interesting profil
e which is:
| a. Amateurs: Are the least experienced, the most unstable and the most dangerous. They are spur-of-the-moment criminals whose irrationality may be compelled by any of a number of illogical motives. They do not have a plan. They may be young and driven by peer or gang pressures to an intensity where they do not have what the normal person would classify as fear. Rather, their intent is to create and control through fear. They will readily display weapons and use them at the slightest provocation. If confronted by this type of robber, and especially in numbers, it would be wise to draw the conclusion that they are in control at the moment and quite likely already hold you, your peers, and your bank in contempt. | |
| Method: They will probably attack in a group and take control of the facility. They fit the profile and image of the classic bank robbery attacker. They are the most difficult to deter. |
| b. Intermediate: May be the best organized, cautious and aware of the risks. Their objective is to gain money, but not at the risk of injury or prison. They generally work alone and as they do not want to take any great degree of risk and do not want attention, they are the easiest to counter. | |
| Method: Passive, may be armed or not. The classic note passer. |
| c. Professional: The career criminal who while always very dangerous, is also the most likely to study and understand your preventative program. He will analyze his options and develop a plan to assure the highest probability of meeting his objectives which are to obtain as much money as possible, in the shortest period of time while not hurting anyone, unless it becomes necessary, and then making a successful escape. And because of his method, he as with the intermediate robber can be deterred to a high degree by your preventative efforts. Quite simply, he may look before he attacks and if he does not like what he sees, he will quickly seek another target. | |
| Method: Professionals are usually loners as they know friendships can eventually cause problems. He is most likely to case your bank prior to the attack. He has self-confidence and may even come in, introduce himself, and then sit and talk with you. He is more prone to attempt a robbery by extortion or hostage taking. When he commits his crime, he may be successful as he will be in control and likely counter your security measures, if you allow him to do so. He prides himself on the competency of his work, and he has discipline. |
II. Before the Robbery: Prevention and Planning
Your overall objective in this area should be to be very visible and convincing in your efforts. If you are, the attacker may be dissuaded and seek-out another target. However, if you are lax, or do not have a coordinated robbery program, or in fact contribute to the opportunity for a robbery to be committed due to your actions or lack of them, there is a distinct possibility that your bank will be victimized. While no one variable will make the total difference, a variety of efforts which are coordinated, overlap and interact, can send the message and make the difference.
Thank you for your interest. Please contact
Mr. Kennish, by E-Mail, with your written request
for
the remainder of this educational article.
John W. Kennish, CPP - Security Consultant
62 East Pond Meadow Road, Westbrook, Connecticut 06498
Phone: (860) 399-8545
Fax: (860) 399-4150
Kennish.com
E-Mail John Kennish
© 2000 John W. Kennish, CPP
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