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Mock Bank Robbery Scenarios

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Question: 
I am looking for specific pre-packaged bank mock robbery scenarios for training purposes. Can anyone provide me with outlines or additional information.
Answer: 

When I started as a bank Security Officer over thirty years ago, I once thought of using a mock robbery to train staff. I would recommend against it strongly today. If your mock robbery is going to include someone using a gun to threaten your staff I have a big problem. Even if law enforcement is conducting the training using a member of your staff as the victim teller I wouldn't allow it.

You never know who on your staff has been in a violent incident before they went to work for you. This type of training could trigger psychological problems for them. In addition, if law enforcement wasn't notified of what you are planning they might think you have an actual robbery.

I have found law enforcement agencies with bad internal communications where one shift didn't inform the other of what was happening. This could create a problem that would gain negative press reaction.

Recently a law enforcement agency conducted a mock robbery and the participants were interviewed by the press afterward. One bank staff member stated, "I knew it wasn't real but, I still couldn't stop shaking."

The real question here is what are you trying to achieve in training your staff? You don't have to have an actual car wreck to discuss with people what can happen in a car wreck and the same goes for mock robberies.

The best way to train staff is in a calm environment placing people at their work stations where you can discuss what they should be doing. In addition, if you have a staff member who was in a bank robbery or find someone from another financial institution who has to talk with your staff the training will even be more effective. People will always listen carefully to someone who has had it happen to them.

First published on BankersOnline.com 2/21/11

First published on 02/21/2011

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