MV PD Safety Tips 

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.