Can someone verify that the Bank Protection Act does not require employees who do not work in bank offices/branches/centers to be trained in bank robbery procedures?

We train all employees on this issue.

What is says is, §208.61(iii), "Provide for initial and periodic training of officers and employees in their responsibilities under the security program and in proper employee conduct during and after a burglary, robbery, or larceny;".

So, as an example, we won't train call center employees who are offsite in the same things we train tellers. The call center needs some info on when someone calls in a threat, when a banker calls them and says we've got a problem or when media calls and asks questions. Train on what is or may be tied to their responsibilities.

Some will say that you train everyone what to do when a robbery occurs. While good advice, that isn't practical as a general statement because we have employees in other cities in support functions who will likely never be here or where a robbery would occur, as it relates to banking. A more prudent yet conservative approach is to train anyone who might be onsite during a robbery, from the President to the janitor.

Folks:

Andy's answer sums it up -- train every employee (and third-party service provider) who may be present in a branch lobby when a robbery occurs. Also train every employee who may receive a telephone call from outside the institution -- about kidnapping, bomb threats and extortion emergency response procedures. Prepare forms and guides to deal with these events and place those forms and guides at EVERY telephone extension. Periodically test employees' knowledge about these procedures during weekly staff briefings.