Nevada Department of Corrections

Towers & Posts

What is a Tower? Dictionary.com Unabridged PronunciationDictionary.com Unabridged tow·er1 PronunciationDictionary.com Unabridged PronunciationDictionary.com UnabridgedPronunciation [tou-er] –noun 1.a building or structure high in proportion to its lateral dimensions, either isolated or forming part of a building.1.a building or structure high in proportion to its lateral dimensions, either isolated or forming part of a building. 2.such a structure used as or intended for a stronghold, fortress, prison, etc.2.such a structure used as or intended for a stronghold, fortress, prison, etc.

The Backbone of Prison Security  Staff must be: –Alert –Use Sound Judgment –Qualified on weapons –Respond quickly to emergencies Hey, I’m being stabbed

Tower Officers; the first and last line of defense protecting the public, staff, inmates, and everyone else inside the institution

Tower Officers; Each tower officer is responsible for both sides of their assigned perimeter fences. Additionally, they’re responsible for everything within sight or hearing 360 degrees

Access to Towers Tower officers must know the identity of all persons attempting to enter their assigned towerTower officers must know the identity of all persons attempting to enter their assigned tower A supervisor may check your tower at any timeA supervisor may check your tower at any time

Tower Entry Tower officer will identify any person approaching the towerTower officer will identify any person approaching the tower Tower officer will then let staff member inTower officer will then let staff member in Entering staff will look around the area before opening the door, enter the tower, and immediately lock the door behind themEntering staff will look around the area before opening the door, enter the tower, and immediately lock the door behind them Identify Yourself It’s Sgt. Smith

Tower Duties 1.Be trained in the post orders for a particular tower before assuming duty in it. 2.Always check the Continuing Inventory of Equipment. Discrepancies must be reported to the Shift commander. 3.Check the condition of all equipment. Report all discrepancies. Officers will not attempt to repair defective equipment. 4.Ensure that no unauthorized reading materials, radios, or other unauthorized items are present in the tower.

Tower Duties 5.Determine which inmates are outside the fences or perimeters and the areas in which they are working. 6.Check sensor devices, if present. 7.Check emergency keys. 8.Look for construction materials or objects that obstruct your line of sight and report it to the Shift Commander. Report any ropes, ladders, or objects that can be used to escape. Report burned out lights. 9.The off-going tower officer should brief the oncoming officer with all new orders or activities relevant to the post.

First Time in a Tower look over the area carefully for security breaches “If I were an inmate, how would I escape past this tower?” pay special attention to those weak spots

Officer Duties all towers are different, but there are some operational rules that are standard for all tower assignments.all towers are different, but there are some operational rules that are standard for all tower assignments. – They are:

Closely observe everything within sightClosely observe everything within sight Observe both sides of the fences and wallsObserve both sides of the fences and walls Report any suspicious activities to your shift commanderReport any suspicious activities to your shift commander Stop or I’ll shoot Maintain constant watch

Be Alert to Sounds Become familiar to sounds that occur from day to day Lack of these sounds could mean problems Get Help

Distractions Avoid distractions Inmates create distractions Keep vigilant of the entire area even during an incident

Inmate Work Crews Observe inmates working in the immediate areaObserve inmates working in the immediate area Be aware of their job assignmentsBe aware of their job assignments When they are supposed to be doneWhen they are supposed to be done The number of inmates workingThe number of inmates working

Observe all traffic and parking lots All vehicles approaching your tower should have prior clearance If an unknown vehicle approaches without clearance, signal it to stop and have the occupants identify themselves Vehicular traffic and parking lots

Some towers operate gates to the outside of the institution Do not open two gates at the same time Gate operations

Do not allow anyone to approach your tower without challenging them –verbally –hand signal –signaling device Challenging Procedures

Mandatory to answer the challenge from a towerMandatory to answer the challenge from a tower Fails to acknowledge the challenge, the tower officer will cover that person with a weapon untilFails to acknowledge the challenge, the tower officer will cover that person with a weapon until –positive identification –supervisor authorizes Mandatory Response

Observe any unusual or unauthorized inmate activity in view of your tower and report it to the Shift Commander Unauthorized activity

Observe living units and their roofs for unusual activity. You should receive prior clearance for anyone to be on any roof Living Units

This will most likely be your main focus when inmates are out During recall all inmates must leave the yard Report to main control if an inmate is not yet off the yard Yard Areas

Only authorized inmate work partiesOnly authorized inmate work parties All other inmates unauthorizedAll other inmates unauthorized Staff will notify towers when touring these areasStaff will notify towers when touring these areas Off-limit Areas

Operational procedures require tower officers to periodically check in to a designated location at specified times during the shift. If you don’t, a welfare check will be initiated on you and your post Security Check-in

Officer should be visible while staff are on the yardOfficer should be visible while staff are on the yard Roof Posts should tour their roof areaRoof Posts should tour their roof area Lights should stay off during dark periods so staff are not silhouettedLights should stay off during dark periods so staff are not silhouetted Visibility

During dark hours no inmate should be outside buildings unescortedDuring dark hours no inmate should be outside buildings unescorted –if one is spotted it should be considered an escape attempt Tower Officers will be notified of any escorts day or nightTower Officers will be notified of any escorts day or night Escorts

Towers equipped with spotlights have procedures and post orders that require the officer to run the spotlight within the surveillance area at certain times Spotlight Operation

Weapons will be fully loaded, chamber will be emptyWeapons will be fully loaded, chamber will be empty Weapons and ammunition will be kept in a location to ensure immediate availability when neededWeapons and ammunition will be kept in a location to ensure immediate availability when needed Thorough cleaning and dismantling will only be done by the ARMORY OFFICERThorough cleaning and dismantling will only be done by the ARMORY OFFICER Weapons

Weapons and sights ARE NOT repaired or adjusted by tower officers. These are only done by the Armory Officer Do not set the weapon on window ledges, rails, etc Whenever you exit the tower observation room and walk the catwalk, be sure you have a weapon with you –Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action Weapons

If you drop the weapon or ammunition off of the tower, you willIf you drop the weapon or ammunition off of the tower, you will –Immediately notify central control –Get another weapon from the tower and cover the dropped gear until it is recovered by an officer. Do not allow an inmate to approach it Weapons

Each officer must be able to interpret events that only he sees without having the benefit of checking with a senior officer Here are some guidelines that may necessitate using firearms – Prevent escapes – Quell a disturbance – Quell an attempted arson – Prevent attacks on staff, visitors and other inmates – When ordered to fire by a Command Officer Discharge of Weapons

Whenever you are required to use force, do not use any more than is necessary to control the situation You must be able to assess the whole situation in light of established procedures Discharge of Weapons

The following are additional guidelines a tower officer should be aware of –Use of Force Reports –Sick / incapacitated –Telephones –Hostage situations Other Guidelines

Sleeping on duty; Cooking within the tower, except with the appliances provided; Writing or reading, other than reading Post Orders; Playing radios or tape recorders; Operating alarm clocks; Operating cameras; Conducting activities that have not been approved by the Shift Commander Prohibited Tower Activities