What Are Bank Tellers Trained To Do In a Robbery?

When a bank robbery is attempted, the actions of the bank’s staff will have a critical role in its outcome. Bank staff are trained in how to handle a bank robbery to maximise customer and staff safety. As well as physical security measures, such as bullet resistant counters and screens, customer facing staff need to act calmly throughout an incident.What are bank tellers trained to do in a robbery, is there a protocol that should be followed, and what should you avoid doing during an attempted bank heist?

Is there a protocol for a bank robbery?

All banks conduct regular training sessions for their staff to help them handle various security breachers. As tellers are in a potentially vulnerable customer facing role, they receive regular training in how to handle an attempted bank robbery. Drills and role-play help them feel prepared should one of these high-stress incidents occur.

They will then follow a well-worked out protocol to try and prevent the situation from escalating into confrontation or potential violence.

What do you do during a bank robbery?

What are bank tellers supposed to do in a robbery to ensure the safety of staff and customers?

During a bank robbery, tellers are trained to remain calm, trying to ensure the safety of themselves, their colleagues, and customers. In doing so, they also attempt to discreetly maintain any evidence that may be useful to the police when investigating the crime.

Tellers are trained to hand over the requested money without any resistance. They are also taught how to avoid sudden movements, as well as actions that might alarm or agitate the robbers. Most banks will be fitted with silent alarms that can be activated discreetly if it is safe to do so. Staff are also taught how to observe key physical characteristics, distinguishing marks, and clothing that might be useful during any investigation.

As soon as the robber has left, tellers will then alert security, management, and the police. They will avoid touching anything that the robber may have handled to preserve fingerprints. They will then be required to write a detailed report of the incident while it is still fresh in their mind

What should you not do during a robbery?

Bank tellers are trained to remain calm, hand over the requested cash, and to avoid sudden movements. Noisy alarms shouldn’t be sounded, nor should help be called for unless it can be done safely and discreetly. Extended eye contact with the robber should be avoided, and arguments should be avoided. Compliance is generally regarded as the safest way to proceed. After the robber has left, the crime scene should be preserved as much as possible so that evidence isn’t compromised.

How do banks protect against robbery?

As well as thorough training of customer facing staff, banks will typically install bullet-resistant counters, CCTV systems, alarms, and barriers to help reduce the risk of robbery. Since the 1990s, enhanced security has been one of the factors leading to a rapid reduction in the rate of bank robberies.