Casino Crime Scene Procedure
August 16th, 2010 | Published in Security
During the normal course of duty, a surveillance operator will eventually be witness to a crime. Some will be just about to occur, others in progress and more after the incident. Specific procedures have been implemented to ensure proper reporting to law enforcement agencies. This format is applied to all crimes; gaming related or criminal activity.
There are four primary steps to take when witnessing an illegal activity as a casino surveillance operator. These include:
- Identity that a crime is being committed
- Stay off security communication lines
- Notify a supervisor
- Give reports to proper individual
The first step a casino surveillance operator must take is to identify that the crime is occurring or about to happen. The first action to take when dealing with a crime that’s a threat to life is to notify security as quickly as possible. Most casinos have an emergency security number. Also, surveillance rooms typically have a security radio for these situations to enable rapid communication.
The second step to remember is stay off the security communication lines other than to answer questions from the dispatcher or supervisors. Full camera coverage will be provided to the security dispatchers.
When the threat does not involve the threat of human life or bodily harm, an investigator must immediately notify their supervisor who directs surveillance activities and contacts security, casino management and executives, the police and gaming control. If the supervisor cannot be reached, the investigator must know the procedure and take appropriate action.
The final step is to give all reports to the surveillance director. Attached will be written statements made during the investigation as well as surveillance and dubbed recordings of the incident. The primary purpose of a surveillance operator is to observe, provide recorded evidence and report the incident exactly how it occurred.
Surveillance operators are necessary for the proper functioning of all casino operations. Unfortunately casinos attract criminals with many different intentions. As a result, operators must be constantly trained on new cheating methods as well as procedural information. They should be able to spot a crime prior to it occurring and react accordingly when it does.
Casino operators are some of the most highly trained individuals in a casino. They must know how to deal with each situation by following procedure and dealing with the proper parties. As cheating methods and critical procedures continue to evolve, casino operators will become even more skilled at their job.