What is the proper procedure for....

[Mapmstr]

I'm curious.. When I was an explorer, I was never taught how to handle this situation.. What exactly would be the proper procedure to handle this call?

Situation:

Let's say a family is on vacation, and the neighbors knew about it (not smart to begin with, but..) One of the neighbors wakes up in the middle of the night and looks out the window to see their neighbor's (the ones on vacation) door is wide open, when it wasn't just a few hours earlier..

They decide to call the police. The police respond.. Let's say.. one officer arrives, with a second en-route..

It'd only make sense to wait for the second officer, right?

Say the second unit's ETA is 10 minutes.. Does the officer still wait? I would, as a main priority is officer safety, but..

What is the exact procedure for this type of call? Wait? Clear?

Thanks,

Mapmstr

[MP_Steve]

Our department policy is not to enter a building to conduct a sweep with any less than two officers.

I don't care what the ETA is, unless there are other circumstances...

[Fury]

I wouldn't be going in. Though we are sworn to protect life and property, my life is more important than that person's property. I would try my best to secure the area, and I would wait for the other officer.

[Piggy]

I've waited up to a half hour for backup, went to the pop machine and watched the house while I got something to drink.

If the suspect is still there, he'll run out the backdoor and you'll be in a no-win situation as there could still be other suspects inside. Unless you hear screaming inside, there's no reason you can't wait.

Just like responding to a situation, you get there safely. You don't want to part of the problem, you want to take care of the problem.

[Mapmstr]

Alrighty, thanks for the answers guys, I understand and agree with all the answers, thanks for posting replies so quickly!

- Mapmstr

[Jay7376]

Let's say a family is on vacation, and the neighbors knew about it (not smart to begin with, but..)

Why is it not smart to let your neighbors know that you are going on vacation?

I would think you would want neighbor aware that you are gone so that they can keep an eye on your home.

I always tell my neighbor when I am going to be gone. Hell, he picks up my mail for me. Not like it wouldn't that hard to figure it out when he doesn't see me for a week.

[Mapmstr]

Why is it not smart to let your neighbors know that you are going on vacation?

I would think you would want neighbor aware that you are gone so that they can keep an eye on your home.

I always tell my neighbor when I am going to be gone. Hell, he picks up my mail for me. Not like it wouldn't that hard to figure it out when he doesn't see me for a week.

Sorry for the two year late reply. I was just checking all of my old forum posts and found this one.

My thinking is that letting one or two very trusted neighbors know is alright. Having someone housesit is even better because of the constant presence at your home.

If you let the wrong neighbor know, they may gab about it. If they gab to the wrong people or the wrong people overhear the gabbing, the entire neighborhood could know in a day or two.

The chances of all of that happening are somewhat slim, but.. A neighbor's kid could tell another kid, and so on and so forth. Eventually, an unscrupulous individual may find out and may want to go rummaging through your house for valuables.

Again, the chances are very slim, but the possibility still remains... in my mind. What do you guys think?

[Samuel]

1. YMMV
2. Depends
3. I would have hoped that you would have already resolved any issues regarding this topic sometime in the last 2 years...

[Mapmstr]

I have indeed. My curiosity was and is still cured. Thanks for everyone's answers.