Through the use of verbal persuasion, defensive devices and non-violent physical intervention, the Library's Security Officers serve as deterrents to the commission of criminal and/or dangerous acts on Library property.

All Security Officers shall successfully complete certified courses of study in both non-violent crisis intervention and self defense, authorized by the Manager of Security Services. Security Officers hired after the effective date of this policy, shall complete such training during the first six months of their employment.

When handling criminal acts, Security Officers are to first utilize verbal intervention directing the person to cease such behavior and depart from Library property. If the person refused to comply and is acting in a physicall disruptive manner, then the Security Officer may utilize non-violent physical intervention to control the perpetrator, and my escort them off Library property. If the disruptive person persists with inappropriate behavior or refuses to depart the Library premises, then the Security Officer will contact the appropriate law enforcement agency for assistance.

The Library will permit Security Officers to effect a citizens arrest and detain persons, pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code Sections 2935.04 and 2935.06, when the Security Officer has reasonable cause to believe that the perpetrator is guilty of committing a felony, and/or where there is a risk of physical harm to staff or patrons.

To prevent physical injury to staff or patrons, the Library authorized Security Officers to apply handcuffs from the detention of persons arrested pursuant to the above paragraph. The Security Officers will be required to successfully complete a course of study in the use of handcuffs, approved by the Manager of Security Services.

The Library directs and authorized that Security Officers who have successfully completed a course of study in the use of chemical mace in the form of pepper gas, may carry and utilize it to defend themselves and others against physical attack.

Security Officers will immediately notify the Manager of Security Services, anytime they use physical intervention or force toward another person. Security Officers shall provide a Security Incident Report on such occurrences to the Manager of Security Services as soon as possible afterward.

DUTIES

1. Security shall staff the Main Library Book Detector.

2. Security shall assist in training Library staff in crime prevention and safety awareness topics.

3. Security shall be responsible for thoroughly checking the Main Library facility and parking garage prior to opening.

4. Security shall be responsible for thoroughly checking the buildings, where they are assigned, at closing time.

5. Security will make roving rounds of the interior and exterior of Library buildings and parking areas, where they are assigned, at a minimum of once per hour.

6. Security will assist in performing the Main Library's banking duties.

7. Security will pick up overdue or inappropriately obtained Library materials as assigned.

8. Security shall respond to security and fire alarms at all Library facilities.

9. Security shall be responsible for operation of the division's access control system computer, to include such functions as: changing door locking times or locations; backing up system files; programming and issuing access cards; printing reports and reporting systems malfunctions to the appropriate Library personnel and service vendor.

10. Security shall respond to, and take appropriate corrective action to address patron behavior that is contrary to Library policies.

11. Security shall investigate and report loss, damage, accidents, crimes and safety hazards on Library property.

12. Security may be assigned to assist with emergency situations, chronic problems or special events.

13. Security will be responsible for care and display of flags at all Library locations.

14. Security shall assist in inspecting safety equipment within the Library system, to include fire extinguishers, first aid kits and security/fire alarms.

15. Security shall take appropriate corrective action to resolve safety and security risks or hazards which come to their attention. Security is to notify the appropriate Library personnel of such conditions, to ensure correction.

16. Security shall act as a liaison for other property management areas when those personnel are unavailable.

EXTRAORDINARY DUTIES

1. Book Detector Operations

   Security personnel are not permitted to search bags, briefcases, purses or similar containers that are the property of patrons, without their permission. Passing such items, as well as the physical person of the patron, through the book detector shall constitute the necessary search for Library Materials.

   Security will request that patrons deliver Library materials to them for inspection prior to exiting through the book detector. If material has been properly checked out and stamped, Security will pass it to the patron on the exit side of the book detector to prevent the alarm from sounding.

   If the book detector alarm sounds, Security will ask the patron if he/she has any library material in his/her possession. If the patron denies having such items, then the Security Officers may ask the person to voluntarily accompany them to the Security Office. Security Officers may request the patron to provide identification, and permission to search their belongings.

   If the patron refuses to accompany the Security Officer, identify himself/herself, or allow his/her possessions to be searched, then the Security Officer is not to pursue the matter with the patron. Security will notify the Police. If the patron attempts to leave the premises, Security Officers are not to detain the person. Security should advise the patron that he/she is evicted from the Library. The Security Officer may carefully observe the patron to obtain a physical descriptoin, direction of travel, and vehicle description. This information should be included in police and security reports for future reference.

   Security Officers will immediately advise the Manager of Security Services of such occurrence and document it thoroughly in a Security Incident Report.

2. Theft and Vandalism

   In the event that the Security Officer has probable cause to suspect that an individual has criminally damaged, or attempted to steal property belonging to the Library, staff or patron, the Security Officer should diplomatically and discretely advise the suspected perpetrator of the problem. The Security Officer may ask the individual for identification. The Security Officer may request the person's permission to inspect their belongings for Library materials.

   If the suspected perpetrator refuses to comply with the Security Officer's requests, then the Security Officer should notify the police.

   If the individual involved attempts to leave the premises, the Security Officer is not to detain him/her. The Security Officer should inform the person that he/she is evicted from the Library. The Security Officer may carefully observe the individual to obtain a physical description, direction of travel and vehicle description. This information should be included in police and security reports for future reference. Security Officers will immediately advice the Manager of Security Services of such an occurrence, and document it thoroughly in a Security Incident Report.

3. Violent Crimes, Felonies and Use of Force

   Security Officers may use physical force when the well-being of staff and patrons is clearly endangered by the actions of another. Security Officers are directed and authorized to carry and utilize chemical mace, in the form of pepper gas, to defend themselves or others against attack. Security Officers may effect a citizens arrest and detain persons, when they have reasonable cause to believe that the perpetrator is guilty of committing a felony and/or where there is a risk of physical harm to staff and patrons.

   To prevent physical injury to staff or patrons, Security Officers are authorized to apply handcuffs for the detention of persons, pursuant to the above paragraph.

   Security Officers are only permitted to use the amount of force necessary to subdue and/or control an individual.

   Security Officers will immediately notify the Manager of Security Services any time they use physical force, and complete a Security Incident Report on such occurrences.

4. Access Door and Panic Alarms (Main Library)

   Upon receiving an access door alarm or panic alarm at the Main Library Security Control Desk, the Security Officer shall immediately notify other Security Officers on duty of the nature and location. Those officers will respond to this location and determine the problem. If an actual incident, Security Officers will take appropriate corrective action.

   If the cause was accidental, then the Security Officer should counsel the person setting the alarm off about the problem.

   All such alarms should be documented by Security Officers in the Security Division Log Book. Actual alarms, or those activated deliberately should be documented by Security Officers in a Security Incident Report and forwarded to the Manager of Security Services.

5. Panic Alarms (Branches)

   If Security Officers receive notification of a panic alarm, they should ensure that the police are responding to the location. The Security Officer should then call the site and through careful questioning, try to determine the nature of the problem. If the alarm is determined to be accidental, then the Security Officer should cancel the police response and notify the alarm monitoring service.

   If the Security Officer receives no response from phoning the branch, or determines from questioning that an actual problem exists, then the Security Officer is to immediately respond to the site or advise another officer to do so.

   As soon as possible after responding to such alarm, Security Officers are to notify the Manager of Security Services about the situation. Security Officers shall document such occurrences in a Security Incident Report.

6. After-Hours Alarm Responses

   Upon being advised of a security alarm at a Library location requiring a response, the Security Officer is to respond to the site immediately. If the Security Officer is unable to respond immediately, he/she is to notify the Manager of Security Services so another Security Officer can be sent.

   Upon arrival at the site, the Security Officer should carefully survey the building's exterior and grounds for signs of damage, suspicious persons to determine whether it is safe to enter the building. Upon entry, the Security Officer is to check the alarm panel to determine the zone in alarm. The alarm should be turned off. The Security Officer should thoroughly inspect the building to determine the alarm cause.

   If no actual intrusion or fire has taken place, then the Security Officer should notify the alarm company of the condition, reset the alarm, secure the building and depart.

   If an actual break-in or fire has taken place, then the Security Officer is to immediately notify the police or fire departments and Manager of Security Services.

   If upon arrival at an alarm location, the Security Officer has reasonable cause to believe a burglary is in progress, he/she should not attempt to enter the site, or try apprehending any suspects alone. He/she should wait for police to respond and assist with these efforts.

   Security Officers are authorized to request a police or fire department response to assist them in checking alarm locations where they believe their personal safety may be at risk.

   Security Officers are to complete an incident report on all alarm calls.

7. Fire Alarms and Fires

   Upon responding to a fire alarm, the Security Officer will immediately go to the alarm panel and silence the audible alarm. The Security Officer will then respond to the location of the alarm indicated on the alarm panel.

   If upon surveying the scene the officer finds no actual fire, he/she is to immediately cancel the fire department by advising the alarm monitoring service.

   If an actual fire, Security Officers should: notify staff to evacuate the area; confine the fire by closing doors to the affected area; assist with evacuation if possible; fight the fire if it is small, and does not place the officer in jeopardy; and assist the fire department.

   Security Officers will reset the alarm panels after the fire alarms at facilities when they are present.

   Security Officers should have a thorough knowledge of the "Emergency Procedure Manual for Main Library, Administration, Technical Services and Outreach Services," and follow its described procedures.

8. Medical Emergencies

   Persons suffering minor injury should be rendered first aid by Security Officers. If possible, the person should be escorted to the Main Library Security Office or branch staff area for this purpose.

   In the event of more serious injury or illness, Security Officers are to notify the Fire Department/EMS (Call 911). Security Officers will continue rendering first aid and care to the victim until EMS arrives on the scene. Security Officers will immediately notify the Librarian-in-charge at the facility they are working of any individual ill or injured.

   As soon as possible after an occurrence of illness or injury, the Security Officer involved will notify the Manager of Security Services and complete an accident report.

9. Problem Patrons

   Any patron whose actions are contrary to Library policies, disturbs other patrons, or harasses staff should be given a warning by Security Officers to stop such behavior. If the act is repeated, or is serious in nature, then Security Officers should evict the patron advising them to leave the facility and not return without permission of the Manager of Security Services or Library Administration.

   1. An indivisual who commits any of the following acts should be advised to leave the building without first being given a warning:

   2. Committing, or threatening to commit, any crime against staff, patrons or Library property.

   3. Consuming alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs or display obvious physical signs of intoxication.

   4. Being unwashed to the extent that he/she transmits body odor which is offensive.

   If possible, any patron asked to leave the building should be given written notice that if he/she returns without permission, criminal charges will be filed.

   An attempt to identify the individual should be made. If the person refused to provide this information, and identification cannot be obtained through other sources, then the Security Officer should carefully observe and document the individual's physical description in a Security Incident Report of the occurrence.

   When handling criminal acts, Security Officers are to first utilize verbal intervention directing the person to cease such behavior and depart from Library property. If the person refuses to comply and is acting in a physically disruptive manner, then the Security Officer may utilize non-violent physical intervention to control the perpetrator and my escort him/her off Library property. If the problem person persists in inappropriate behavior or refuses to depart Library premises, then the Security Officer will contact the police for assistance. Security Officers will notify the Manager of Security Services immediately whenever a patron is evicted or removed from the premises due to threatened or actual criminal behavior.

10. Public Parking

    Whenever a problem with a patron's car occurs, the license number should be obtained and the owner paged. If there is no response and the car is not blocking, then a warning ticket should be placed under the vehicle's windshield wiper. The license number should be recorded and ticket copy kept on file at the security division. Upon the second violation, the same action should be taken. Upon the third violation involving the same vehicle, the Security Manager should be consulted about having it towed away.

    If the vehicle is blocking another auto, seriously impeding the flow of traffic or parked in a handicapped space without the proper permit, Security Officers should contact the Manager of Security Services to determin if it should be towed.

    Security Officers will complete a Security Incident Report anytime a vehicle is towed and impounded by the Security Division.