NYPD PG 212 Series - Command Operations Flashcards

Investigative Encounters: Request for Information, Common Law Right of Inquiry, and Terry Stops

  • Level 1: Request for Information

    • Objective: To gather information based on an objective credible reason (more than a hunch).
    • Police Action: Officers may approach a person and ask general, non-threatening questions related to the reason for the approach. Pointed or accusatory questions are strictly prohibited.
    • Conduct Rules:
      • Do not detain the person.
      • Do not use or threaten the use of force.
      • Do not request consent to search.
    • Civilian Rights: The person may refuse to answer and is free to leave or walk/run away. Providing false information may escalate the encounter.
    • Body-Worn Camera (BWC): Members must activate the BWC prior to engaging in police action, though routine community engagement is not considered police action.
    • Protective Measures: May be used in rare Level 1 encounters if there is a reasonable concern for safety due to behavior or the nature of the approach.

  • Level 2: Common Law Right of Inquiry

    • Objective: To investigate based on a founded suspicion of criminality (indication of criminal activity based on observable conduct or reliable hearsay).
    • Police Action: Officers may ask pointed and accusatory questions.
    • Consent Search: Officers may request consent to search. The consent must be voluntary, and the officer must communicate that a search will not occur if the person refuses.
      • Example phrasing: “I can only search you, if you consent. Do you understand? May I search you?”
      • If a BWC is present, the request and response must be video recorded.
    • Right to Know Business Card: Officers must offer a pre-printed card upon the conclusion of law enforcement activities, unless a summons is issued, an arrest is made, or exigent circumstances exist (AG 304-11).
    • Conduct Rules:
      • Do not detain the person or use force.
    • Civilian Rights: The person may refuse to answer and is free to walk away. If the person runs away, the officer may pursue.
    • Documentation: A "Common Law Right Of Inquiry – Consent Search Report" must be prepared in FORMS for each person when consent is requested, documenting race, ethnicity, gender, and age.

  • Level 3: Terry Stop

    • Objective: To stop and detain based on individualized reasonable suspicion that a person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a felony or Penal Law misdemeanor.
    • Police Action:
      • The suspect is detained for a criminal investigation for only as long as necessary to confirm or dispel suspicion.
      • The officer must notify the radio dispatcher of the location and number of persons stopped.
      • Reasonable force may be used to stop the person.
    • Questioning: Suspects may be questioned to determine probable cause for arrest. Refusal to answer questions or provide identification does not establish probable cause.
    • Frisking: A frisk is permitted if the officer has reasonable suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous.
      • The purpose is safety, not locating evidence like drugs.
      • The frisk involves running hands down the outside of clothing. If an object is suspected to be a weapon, the officer may search the interior clothing to remove it.
      • Bags/personal property: May be frisked if within reach and the officer suspects it contains a weapon. Rigid/unlocked items may be opened; locked items require a warrant or consent.
    • Documentation: A "Stop Report" must be prepared in FORMS for each person stopped. Pedigree information (name, DOB, address) is recorded in the digital Activity Log, not the Stop Report narrative.

Command Operations: Emergency Responses and Safety Protocols

  • CBRN and Hazardous Materials Incident Management

    • Upon discovering an unknown substance suspected of being a CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) or hazardous material (other than explosives), the Patrol Supervisor must notify the Communications Section dispatcher, Desk Officer, Precinct of occurrence, Operations Unit, and Precinct Detective Squad.
    • Hazardous Material Spills: At the scene of a liquid spill involving a tanker truck and fire, a frozen area of 1000 feet1000\,feet must be established.
    • Radiation Pager Alarms: The Platoon Commander/Patrol Supervisor must notify the Counterterrorism Division, Lower Manhattan Security Coordination Center, of all radiation pager alarms.

  • Explosive Device Searches

    • Search teams must stop searching 20 minutes20\,minutes before the threatened time of an explosion and cannot resume until 1 hour1\,hour after the threatened time.
    • Elevators: Officers should use stairways. If elevators are necessary, they must use those inaccessible to the public.

  • Fire Incidents (10-59)

    • Arrival: Transmit signal 10-84. Park vehicles to avoid interfering with the Fire Department (FDNY).
    • Building Entry: Officers are not trained or equipped for fire suppression or rescue. They should avoid entering burning buildings unless there is imminent danger to life.
    • Procedures Inside:
      • Use stairs, never the elevator.
      • Ascend in teams of two.
      • Place the back of a hand on doors to detect heat before opening.
    • Incident Command: The ranking FDNY officer is the Incident Commander. The highest-ranking NYPD supervisor must co-locate at the FDNY Incident Command Post.
    • Notifications (FRUITS): The Desk Officer notifies Borough Command and Operations if the fire involves:
      • F - Forced entry by FD.
      • R - Relocation of tenants required.
      • U - Unusual circumstances.
      • I - Injury or death.
      • T - Three or more alarms.
      • S - Suspicious origin (PDS notification required).

Housing and Transit Authority Specific Procedures

  • Interior Patrol of NYCHA Buildings (PG 212-60)

    • Entry: Notify the Radio Dispatcher (10-75I) and make a digital Activity Log entry of the address and time.
    • Patrol Route: Inspect doors, locks, intercoms, and lobby. Proceed to the top floor (via elevator if operable) and patrol the roof, roof landing, elevator rooms, and every floor/stairway down to the basement.
    • Trespass Investigations:
      • Level 1: Ask if they live there or are visiting. Mere presence does not allow a search or detention.
      • Level 2/3: If suspicion of criminal trespass exists, officers may temporarily detain the person to verify residence/visits.
    • Safety: Absent exigent circumstances, two or more members must remain together at all times.

  • New York City Transit Operations

    • Track Searches (FACT): Officers will not normally enter track areas unless searching for an armed felon where the following exist:
      • F - Force used.
      • A - Armed with a deadly weapon.
      • C - Caused Serious Physical Injury (SPI).
      • T - Threatened the use of deadly physical force.
    • Evacuations:
      • Reach Train: A train parked in front of or behind a stalled train.
      • Rescue Train: A train brought alongside a stalled train.
    • Power Removal: Emergency boxes are spaced every 400400 to 600 feet600\,feet in tunnels. Pulling the lever removes power from all tracks in the vicinity. Notification to the Rapid Transit Operations Command Center Desk Superintendent (RTOCCDS) must be immediate, or power will be automatically restored.
    • Animal Ejections: No animals are allowed on transit unless in a container, except for police dogs or service animals. Verification of a service animal only requires inquiring if the animal provides assistance for a disability; proof of disability cannot be required.

Information Management and Administrative Functions

  • Activity Logs (PG 212-08)

    • All members below the rank of Captain must use digital Activity Logs, except for those performing permanent administrative/clerical duties or those assigned as undercovers (who use paper logs).
    • Entries:
      • Roll call info (Operator and Recorder).
      • Assignments and tasks (Recorder only, unless enforcement action is taken).
      • Vehicle inspection results (Operator only).
    • Technical Difficulties: If digital systems fail, use the paper Activity Log.

  • Release of Information to News Media (PG 212-77)

    • All requests must go through the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information (DCPI).
    • Do Not Release (RAT COP - conferencing required with DCPI and Chief of Detectives):
      • R - Reputation or character of the accused.
      • A - Anticipated testimony.
      • T - Test results (or refusal to take them).
      • C - Credibility of witnesses.
      • O - Opinions on evidence.
      • P - Photos/film (including mug shots).
    • Protected Identities: Never release identities of sex crime victims, neglected/abused children, or juveniles under 1818 (unless Juvenile/Adolescent Offenders in certain stages).

  • Counterfeit Money (PG 212-47)

    • Bills: The person last in possession writes their name and date across the face of the bill. The officer signs their rank, name, shield, and date.
    • Coins: Both the person and the officer scratch their initials on the coin.
    • Handling: Do not voucher counterfeit money or use a plastic security envelope.

  • Search Warrant Applications (PG 212-75)

    • Consists of three documents: The Search Warrant, Search Warrant Affidavit, and Search Warrant Request.
    • Permission to apply for a search warrant from the District Attorney must be granted by a Commanding Officer in the rank of Captain or above.

Personnel and Conduct Regulations

  • Meal Periods (PG 212-02)

    • Permitted meal locations: Police facility, bona fide restaurant, or Department vehicle.
    • Eligibility: A member must be scheduled for 88 consecutive hours of duty. If seeking an excusal of 3 hours3\,hours or less, the member is still eligible for a meal if requested before the tour starts.
    • Alcohol: Strictly prohibited for all on-duty members. The only exception is for members assigned to duty in civilian clothes who have permission from their Bureau Chief for specific undercover assignments.

  • Diplomatic Incidents (PG 212-56)

    • Diplomats (Consulates, Missions, Embassies, Delegations - C MEDA) with full criminal immunity cannot be arrested but may be issued a summons.
    • Diplomatic status is verified by the Intelligence Division, Criminal Intelligence Section.
    • Headquarters of the UN: Do not enter to perform duty without the consent of the Secretary General.

  • Off-Duty Incidents (PG 212-32)

    • If a member is a participant or witness in an unusual police occurrence (including family disputes), they must notify the Desk Officer of the precinct of occurrence. If outside the city, they must notify the Operations Unit.

Review Questions and Answers Recap

  • Q: Who may request the Crime Scene Unit (CSU)?
    • A: The Patrol Supervisor. If unavailable, the Detective Squad Member or investigator on scene may request it.
  • Q: How far is the frozen area for a tanker truck fire with a hazardous spill?
    • A: 1000 feet1000\,feet.
  • Q: What forms are prepared for gunshot detection alerts?
    • A: A Complaint Report Worksheet is prepared for all alerts, whether confirmed or unconfirmed.
  • Q: Can an Unusual Occurrence Report be used for unusual prisoner occurrences?
    • A: No.
  • Q: How are search teams instructed to use elevators during explosive investigations?
    • A: Use stairways; if elevators must be used, they must be inaccessible to the public.
  • Q: Is Harassment in the 1st degree enforceable during labor-related incidents?
    • A: No.