This
measure determines the adequacy of the court’s security in protecting both
the public and confidential court records. The measure should be conducted
as a follow-up to Measure 1.2.1. Data are
gathered by law enforcement experts through simulation exercises. The
measure requires the cooperation of local law enforcement officials.
Planning/Preparation..
Local law enforcement officials should be contacted and
asked to help court officials conduct a security audit of the courthouse.
Law enforcement officials should be informed that the security audit will
involve simulations in which one or two officers, dressed in plain clothes,
will attempt to breach the court’s security system. The officers who
conduct the simulations should not be well known to court personnel. Court
staff, in consultation with the security expert retained for Measure 1.2.1,
should develop simulations to target security areas in which potential
weaknesses (e.g., safety of parking areas, ease of gaining access to
confidential files, or access to courtrooms and chambers during and after
normal business hours) were identified during the security audit conducted
for Measure 1.2.1. On a cautionary note, simulations should not be developed
that place individuals in potentially dangerous situations (e.g.,
simulations that involve carrying a concealed weapon).
Data
Collection.. The
officers should visit the courthouse in plain clothes. Only the court
manager and judge should be aware of the officers’ presence in the
courthouse. The officers should "wander" through the courthouse
conducting the simulations developed by court staff and note any security
problems encountered.
If,
after conducting the simulation exercise, the officers have any questions or
need additional information on specific aspects of court security, they
should conduct follow-up interviews with relevant court personnel. Court
officials should ensure that the officers are introduced to the appropriate
staff and should encourage staff to answer the officers’ questions as
accurately and thoroughly as possible.
Data
Analysis and Report Preparation. Once
the officers have completed the simulations, they should prepare a report on
the overall security status of the courthouse. The report should answer
questions such as: Was the court’s security system successful in
protecting the public and in protecting confidential court files and
records? Did the officers notice any specific security problems that the
court should address? What recommendations do they have for improving court
security?
