Robbery Procedures

The following recommendations are a strategies compiled by the National Credit Union Association and campus safety procedures used to prevent, mitigate, and assist in the apprehension of robbery suspects.  Staff member and student safety is top priority.  Remember: Money and items are replaceable, YOU are not.  If the robber is after money or items, give them what they want.  Compliance is the best method to get the threat away from those in danger as quickly as possible. 

  • Make eye contact and greet everyone that approaches your work area – this is great customer service and it will let a potential threat know that you are aware of your surroundings and have a good mental photograph of the person
  • Keep all access to work area secure – Including from friends and significant others to avoid distractions
  • Be aware of persons who may be lingering near work area or acting suspiciously
  • Be aware of where cash funds are counted.  NOT within public view.

  • Remain calm, listen to the robber’s demands and do exactly what they say.  Treat this person as dangerous and assume they are armed.
  • Tell the robber if you need to move to accomplish their demands.  It is important to keep the robber well informed of the activity around them so they do not misinterpret your actions.
  • If available, activate silent alarm/panic button ONLY if you can do so secretly.  Be aware that the robber may be watching your hands.  Alerting others of the volatile situation should only be done so if it can be done secretly and safely.
  • Be aware that the robber may have accomplices in the branch.   Do not yell out “I’ve been robbed!”  Instead, as calmly as possible, inform your co-workers that you were robbed ONLY if you can do so safely. This notification can be made in several different ways, including in person or by using text messages.
  • Look the robber over from head to foot.  Mentally note as many details as you can.  Compare him/her with yourself.  Is he/she taller, shorter, heavier, older, etc.
  • Note any distinguishable characteristics you notice including hair color, eye color, speech, accents, slang terms used, odors, tattoos, moles, scares, facial hair, dominant hand, clothing, etc.

  • Lock down the area if possible.  Close and lock all doors.
  • If you can do so safely, attempt to determine the suspects’ direction of travel or description of getaway vehicle.
  • Contact the police by dialing 911.  Stay on the phone until instructed to disconnect the call by the police dispatcher.
  • Conduct a wellness check of all persons present.  Relay any injuries or conditions present to the police dispatcher.  If there are any injuries, no matter how minor, request medical assistance.
  • Do NOT touch anything the robber may have touched.
  • Do not discuss the details of the robbery with anyone, until after you are interviewed by police.
  • Ask all witnesses to stay in the building until police can arrive, and escort them to an area away from any evidentiary items.
  • Do not post details of the robbery via any personal social networking sites. Do not email, text, or tweet details of the robbery.  Do not discuss the robbery with the media.  Unauthorized disclosure of information may jeopardize the investigation.
  • A Suspect Description Sheet can be completed to assist with robbery details.