Personal Safety for Volunteers and Non-Law Enforcement Personnel

CA IB-2014-016
Information Bulletin

July 28, 2014

In Reply Refer To:
1112 (CA-940) P

EMS TRANSMISSION: 7/28/14
Information Bulletin No. CA-2014-016

To:                   All Employees

From:               State Director

Subject:           Personal Safety for Volunteers and Non-Law Enforcement Personnel

Volunteers and non-law enforcement employees are encouraged to conduct their required compliance and/or public contact duties.  However, in doing so, they should be aware that some persons may be on the public lands for illegal purposes such as wildlife poaching, drug cultivation or manufacturing, felony theft, or disposing of hazardous materials or evidence of crimes committed elsewhere.  Other individuals may be participating in activities involving the use of firearms or explosives.  Still others may be interested in the consumption of alcohol or drugs to the point of becoming boisterous and disorderly.  Persons who participate in these types of activities may become hostile and resistant to any official presence.  Volunteers and non-law enforcement employees are not trained, equipped, prepared or authorized to make contact or deal with violators behaving in these ways.

We believe the procedures outlined below will help minimize situations where non-law enforcement employees and volunteers become involved in situations of jeopardy for which they are not trained or equipped.  We know that all Bureau of Land Management (BLM) employees are charged with public contact responsibilities, and BLM employees are expected to do their part in providing for the protection of the lands and resources that we manage.  Not all risks can be avoided.  However, BLM non- law enforcement employees and volunteers should not take unnecessary risks that place them in a situation of personal jeopardy.  Trained Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) should always be used for such situations.

The following can be used as a reference for field-going personnel and volunteers when making public contacts.

If I am a non-law enforcement employee or volunteer, what should I do to enhance my personal safety on public lands?

       •    Exercise caution when explaining legal and regulatory requirements to members of the
            public who are violating a BLM regulation or prohibition.
       •    Wear the official BLM uniform and other identifying accessories when conducting
             public contact duties.
       •    Call upon BLM law enforcement officers (LEOs) to make contact with individuals if
             you anticipate persons to be contacted may be hostile or uncooperative.  Also, notify
             BLM LEOs or local law enforcement officials if you observe actions or evidence that 
             indicate a serious crime is occurring (i.e., drug activities, theft, violence against other
             persons, vandalism).  Do not confront such individuals!
       •    Notify BLM LEOs if persons are ignoring the regulatory information that has 
             been supplied through public contact.
       •    Immediately notify BLM LEOs if threats have been made against, or assaults or
             batteries have been committed upon any volunteer, non-law enforcement employee, or
             public land user.
       •    Request BLM LEOs provide or obtain local training for volunteers and non-
             law enforcement employees in public contact safety in the areas of crime
             awareness, effective contact communication, and imminent signs of danger.

If I am a non-law enforcement employee or volunteer, what actions should I avoid because they put me at greater risk?

       •    Avoid making threats or inferences about issuing citations, making arrests, or
            statements about calling the authorities.  These things may elevate the hostility of the 
            contact.  In most cases, a quiet withdrawal and notification to appropriate authorities
            without the knowledge of the subject is the safest alternative.
       •    Avoid letting your anger or emotions dictate your actions.  Attempt to communicate in a
            calm and precise manner.  Do not raise your voice or shout at any person.  If your  
            emotions get the best of you, withdraw from the contact immediately and make proper
            notifications.
       •    Avoid issuing written warnings or any other written form that may be interpreted to be a
            criminal accusatory instrument.  Administrative actions, such as notices of trespass
            and/or notices of non-compliance, are certainly appropriate within the scope of duties of 
            certain personnel (i.e., range management, realty, minerals, etc.).  However, if you
            expect hostility in carrying out such actions, please ask for a BLM LEO to accompany
            you when making the contact.
      •    Avoid asking for or demanding a person's identification in connection with a contact
            concerning a potential violation.  If you lack the proper law enforcement authority and 
            the necessary level of proof, this action would also constitute an unwarranted invasion
            of privacy.
       •    Avoid confusing any authority you may have to conduct law enforcement activities 
            given to you by a State or another Federal agency (i.e., reserve police or deputy sheriff)
            with your duties as a BLM volunteer or employee, and/or authorizing such volunteers
            or employees to take any law enforcement action.
      •    Avoid physically touching, laying hands upon, or striking any person.
      •    Avoid carrying, wearing, or displaying firearms or other weapons (including OC
           spray, sticks, batons, etc.) on your person when conducting BLM public contact
           duties.

Attachment 1 provides additional guidance to assist non-law enforcement employees or volunteers when they observe illegal acts on BLM lands.

If you have questions or requests for additional information related to this IB, please contact Daryl Avery, State Safety Manager, at (916) 978-4521.

 

Signed by:                                    
Karen L. Barnette                                
Acting State Director                                

Authenticated by:
Richard A. Erickson
Records Management

Attachment
1.    Recommended Actions Upon Observing Illegal Acts on BLM Lands ( 1 p) 
 

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS UPON OBSERVING ILLEGAL ACTS ON BLM LANDS:

If you encounter a crime scene make notes and take photographs from a distance to minimize potential loss of evidence.  Don’t touch or remove anything unless otherwise directed by law enforcement.  If the violator is present, do not make contact. If you have any doubt as to your safety, leave the area.  When safely away from the area immediately make notes of pertinent facts as outlined below and inform law enforcement.  If possible make note of:

    1.    Who committed the crime?
           Description of Violator:
      •    Sex
      •    Race/Ethnicity [White, Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, African-American]
      •    Height [Compare the subject's height with a nearby object if necessary]
      •    Weight/Build [slim, heavy, muscular, etc.]
      •    Hair Color and Style [blond, brown, etc. and short, long, curly, etc.]
      •    Facial Features [clean shaven, mustache, beard, etc.]
      •    Clothing Type and Color [short sleeve, long sleeve, striped, solid, jeans, long shorts, etc.]
      •    Other Characteristics [tattoos, scars, glasses]  
          Description of Vehicle:
      •    Make [Chevrolet, Ford, etc.]
      •    Model [Mustang, Impala, etc.]
      •    Style [2 door, 4 door, wagon, hatchback, SUV, etc.]
      •    Color
      •    License Plate
      •    Other Characteristics [body damage, bumper stickers, custom rims, etc.]

   2.    What crime was committed?
      •    A general description of what you observed

   3.    When was act observed/committed?
      •    Is illegal activity in progress?
      •    If not in progress, when does it appear the activity may have occurred?

   4.    Where was crime committed?
      •    BLM administered lands
      •    Township / Range / 1/4 Section
      •    G.P.S. coordinates
      •    Road, trail, river names and numbers
      •    Drainage or canyon names
 

                                                                   Attachment 1
 

 

Office

California State Office

Fiscal Year

2014