NYS Emergency Procedures and Crisis Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the event of an active shooter inside the courthouse, court officers should follow which recommended protocol order?
- Hide, Fight, Run
- Run, Hide, Fight (Correct answer)
- Fight, Run, Hide
- Secure, Notify, Respond
Correct answer: Run, Hide, Fight
The widely adopted 'Run, Hide, Fight' protocol prioritizes escape first, then concealment, with fighting as a last resort when no other options exist.
Question 2: During a hostage situation inside a courtroom, which action should a court officer AVOID?
- Securing the perimeter and preventing others from entering
- Attempting to negotiate or make promises on behalf of the government (Correct answer)
- Notifying supervisors and specialized units immediately
- Documenting what is observed from a safe distance
Correct answer: Attempting to negotiate or make promises on behalf of the government
Court officers should not attempt to negotiate or make promises, as hostage negotiation requires specially trained personnel and unauthorized promises can endanger lives.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of an Incident Command System (ICS) during a courthouse emergency?
- To assign blame and accountability after an incident
- To provide a standardized, unified chain of command for multi-agency emergency response (Correct answer)
- To replace local law enforcement with federal authority
- To document injuries for workers' compensation purposes
Correct answer: To provide a standardized, unified chain of command for multi-agency emergency response
ICS provides a standardized management structure that allows multiple agencies to work together efficiently under a single unified command during emergencies.
Question 4: A court officer observes a person in the public gallery exhibiting signs of a mental health crisis. The MOST appropriate initial response is to:
- Immediately restrain the individual and call for transport
- Approach calmly, use a non-threatening tone, and attempt to de-escalate the situation (Correct answer)
- Remove all other persons from the courtroom before intervening
- Alert the judge and take no action until directed
Correct answer: Approach calmly, use a non-threatening tone, and attempt to de-escalate the situation
De-escalation through calm, non-threatening communication is the first and most appropriate response when dealing with a mental health crisis to avoid escalating the situation.
Question 5: When a power outage occurs in the courthouse, a court officer's PRIORITY should be:
- Restoring power to the judge's chambers first
- Ensuring the safety of all persons, especially in areas that may be affected by loss of lighting or security systems (Correct answer)
- Suspending all court proceedings until power is restored
- Securing the evidence room before addressing any other areas
Correct answer: Ensuring the safety of all persons, especially in areas that may be affected by loss of lighting or security systems
Life safety is always the top priority; a power outage can compromise lighting, security systems, and access controls, creating immediate safety risks for everyone present.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes when a court officer is authorized to use physical force?
- Whenever a person raises their voice in court
- When necessary to protect themselves or others from imminent physical harm or to control a resisting individual (Correct answer)
- Only when directly ordered to do so by the presiding judge
- Whenever a defendant attempts to speak without permission
Correct answer: When necessary to protect themselves or others from imminent physical harm or to control a resisting individual
Physical force is authorized when there is imminent threat of harm or a need to control someone who is actively resisting lawful authority, in accordance with use-of-force policy.
Question 7: During a civil disturbance inside the courthouse involving multiple individuals, a court officer should FIRST:
- Attempt to physically separate all parties involved simultaneously
- Secure the judge's safety, call for backup, and contain the disturbance to prevent it from spreading (Correct answer)
- Identify the instigator and detain only that person
- Clear the building and refuse entry until police arrive
Correct answer: Secure the judge's safety, call for backup, and contain the disturbance to prevent it from spreading
Securing the judge, requesting backup, and containing the disturbance are the priority steps because they protect judicial authority, ensure adequate resources, and limit the scope of the incident.
NYS Emergency Procedures and Crisis Management 2
In the event of an active shooter inside the courthouse, court officers should follow which recommended protocol order?