Code Purple Standard Operating Procesures

Melissa Wornick

Updated February 24, 2025 19:52

Document Information

Section: Safety	Chapter: EAP	Article: Code Purple SOP
Issue Date: Nov 2024		Revision Date: Oct 2024

Purpose/Introduction

Purpose

The Emergency Action Plan for Code Purple should be followed in the case of reasonable suspicion or witnessing a Guest, Pack Member, or any person on property involved with suspected Illegal drug use or Intoxication.

Definitions

Intoxication: is a state in which a person's normal capacity to act or reason is inhibited by alcohol or drugs. Signs of intoxication can include but are not limited to:

Odor of alcohol, marijuana or chemicals.
Swaying, staggering, or stumbling.
Thick, slurred speech; loud, noisy speech; unusually fast or slow talking.
Rambling train of thought.
Droopy eyelids; drowsiness or falling asleep; lack of focus and eye contact.
Crude, inappropriate speech or gestures.
Disoriented; agitated, anxious

Belligerent: can be defined as hostile and aggressive. Synonyms include argumentative, combative, confrontational, and threatening.

The term “illegal drug” is defined as a controlled substance as listed in the Federal Controlled Substance Act and includes, but is not limited to, amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, opiates, barbiturates, hallucinogens, depressants, and stimulants. Controlled substances also include prescription drugs used in any manner inconsistent with their intended or stated use.

The term “drug paraphernalia” refers to any equipment that is used to produce, conceal, and consume illicit drugs. It includes but is not limited to items such as bongs, miniature spoons, and various types of pipes.

Phases

Fundamentals

Although emergency situations are rare, we must always be ready. It is important to be able to effectively execute the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) when needed. Although each situation is different, many of the steps are the same and should be considered during the execution of the EAP. There are five major steps that are the phases of the Emergency Action Plan:

Investigate
Communicate
React
Escalate
Review

Further guidance regarding Emergency Action Plan phases and key terms used throughout this SOP can be found in the Emergency Action Plan Standard Operating Procedures

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY

When an Individual appears to be Intoxicated, Great Wolf Lodge will take steps to ensure the safety of the Guest and Pack. When recognizing or responding to potential alcohol-related Incident, the following guidelines should be considered.

Investigate

Assess the situation. Some key indicators of intoxication may be:
Unable to stand or walk or can do so only with difficulty.
Only poorly aware of his/her surroundings.
Passed out.
Difficulty speaking or identifying him/herself.
Paranoid, confused, or disoriented.
Violent or threatening.
Obnoxious and unruly.
Reported to have consumed a large quantity of alcoholic beverages

If you find that some of the above indicators are present and you believe the Guest to be intoxicated, do not allow the individual to order additional alcohol.

Communicate

Great Wolf Radio

Management should become involved when “cutting off” a Guest.
Go to the MOD/Security Channel and call Code Purple and your location over the radio.

Medical Attention

If a Guest requires medical attention, contact Aquatics (510) or Security if it is after-hours and the waterpark is closed. If the Guest is in a life-threatening situation, call 911 immediately.
This should be followed by an ALL CALL that there is a Code 3 at your location using the guidance found in the Code 1, 2 or 3 Standard Operating Procedures

Law Enforcement

If at any point the individual becomes belligerent or threatens violence, immediately contact Law Enforcement by dialing 911.
This should be followed by an ALL CALL on the radio that there is a Code Green Emergency at your location using the guidance found in the Code Green Standard Operating Procedures

React

Front Line Pack Member

Observe from a safe distance until Management, Security, or MOD arrive. Be prepared to provide relevant information to Security and Management about the situation. You may be asked to complete a witness statement following the incident.

MOD/Security

If not an immediate hazard, the MOD / Security should approach the Guest cautiously with the goal of de-escalating the situation and eliminating the concern using the guidance below:

Discuss the situation with the individual in a clam and professional manner. Assure the individual that any actions taken are in his or her best interest.
Determine whether the individual is a Guest of the Lodge and if they have been recently served any alcohol on site.
- The affected Guest should be cut off from alcohol at the discretion of Security, MOD, Bartenders, or F&B Management.
If the individual is a Guest, escort the person to their room.
- Notify any other parties on the reservation and encourage them not to provide any additional alcoholic beverages to the Guest and ensure Guest remains in the room until they are no longer under the influence.
If the individual is not a Guest of the resort, attempt to prevent him or her from driving a vehicle.
- Determine whether an alternative form of transportation is available.
- If no alternative transportation is available, provide the use of a taxi or rideshare service. Pack Members should not provide transportation.
An individual may refuse initial attempts of assistance. Be persistent in efforts to aid the Guest/individual.
If the individual becomes belligerent or threatens violence, immediately contact local law enforcement.
If the Guest is valet parked, inform the door staff or valets of the situation.
If the individual insists on leaving the property and driving his or her vehicle, advise the individual that the Lodge will notify local law enforcement. Be prepared to furnish the make, model and license number of the vehicle to local law enforcement if the individual leaves Great Wolf property.
- If available, the property may use their License Plate Reading cameras to gather this information.
Inform the Guest per Great Wolf policy should a second incident occur the situation may be escalated to potential eviction (See the Denial of Occupancy, Guest Evictions, & Undesirables SOP).
- If the Guest is not capable of realistically comprehending a warning, the Officer should relay the message to the Guest’s party of those listed under his/her reservation.
Security Pack Member should complete Security Report detailing the incident.

Underage Persons

Underage persons can also present a challenge. When concern exists, ask for identification. There may be times where more than one piece of identification should be verified. If a minor the guardian should be contacted, if no guardian is present the police need to be notified.

Escalate

MOD should notify their GM/RVP and Corporate Risk.
- Regional Vice President and Corporate Risk Management should be notified through the Emergency Communication Channel.
If the situation involves a Pack Member and alcohol, the Director of Human Resources and the Department Director should be contacted.

Review

MOD

They should evaluate how the situation impacted Pack Members and/or Guests to determine appropriate next steps.
CCTV/EAVS footage, if available should be saved.

Security

Security Pack Members are to complete a Security Report ensuring all supplemental information is collected an included in the report. Examples of these items would be footage of the incident, witness statements from Pack Members, or copy of receipts/room charges detailing F&B purchases made at the Lodge.

Front Line Pack Members

Front line Pack Members involved in the incident should complete a witness statement for Security detailing the situation while the facts are fresh in their memory. This should be completed and collected before the end of their shift that same day.

ILLEGAL OR PROHIBITED DRUGS OR PARAPHERNALIA:

Illegal drugs may be found in the Lodge or on a Guest or Pack Member. Should you have a reasonable suspicion or first- hand witness account of a Guest or a Pack Member involved with Illegal drugs, the following guidance should be followed.

Investigate

Suspicion of a Guest or Pack Member under the influence or in Possession of Illegal Drugs

You are notified or witness first-hand actions that make you suspect that someone may be under the influence or in possession of illegal drugs. Keep a safe distance and move onto the communicate step.

Illegal Drugs Found in an Occupied Guest Room

Do not touch anything and immediately leave the Guestroom. Move to communicate step.

Potential Marijuana in a Room

If the smell of marijuana is located in a hallway or from a Guest Room, move onto communicate step.

Illegal Drugs Found in a Public Area or Unoccupied Guest Room

Do not touch anything and immediately leave if found in a Guestroom. Maintain a safe distance while also ensuring the item isn’t touched by other Guests or Pack Members and secure the area.

Communicate

Great Wolf Radio

For all drug related incidents, utilize the Great Wolf Radio to contact Security/MOD to let them know about the Code Purple situation.
Go to the MOD/Security Channel and call Code Purple and your location over the radio.

Medical Attention

If a Guest requires medical attention, contact Aquatics (510) or Security if it is after-hours and the waterpark is closed. If the Guest is in a life-threatening situation, call 911 immediately.
This should be followed by an ALL CALL that there is a Code 3 at your location using the guidance found in the Code 1, 2 or 3 Standard Operating Procedures

Law Enforcement

If at any point the individual becomes belligerent or threatens violence, immediately contact Law Enforcement by dialing 911.
This should be followed by an ALL CALL on the radio that there is a Code Green Emergency as your location using the guidance found in the Code Green Standard Operating Procedures

React

Suspicion of a Guest or Pack Member under the influence or in Possession of Illegal Drugs:

Front Line Pack Member

The MOD/Security will assess the situation and gather factual information. At their discretion, they will make the appropriate decisions for further actions on this situation. This is a delicate matter and is handled on a case-by-case situation. At no time should a Pack Member approach a Guest or another Pack Member.

MOD/Security

Assess the situation and gather factual information.
Contact the Police Department by calling the non-emergency line, advising them of the situation with the factual information received. The Police Department and the MOD/Security will determine the best way to resolve the situation.
If the situation involved a Pack Member and illegal drugs, move to Escalate step.

Illegal Drugs Found in a Public Area:

Front Line Pack Member

Wait for MOD/Security to meet you at your location. Be prepared to recount in writing how you found the illegal drugs.

Security/MOD

If alone, request the presence of an additional Manager or Security Officer to accompany them to the Guest room in question to confirm the presence of the illegal substance.
Following confirmation, the MOD/Security Manager will determine an appropriate course of action. If a large quantity of drugs is present, the MOD/Security will contact local law enforcement.
Working with local law enforcement to determine the amount thresholds- if a small amount is found, the MOD and a Security Pack Member will dispose of the substance

Illegal Drugs Found in an Occupied Guest Room:

Front Line Pack Member

The MOD/Security will assess the situation and gather factual information. At their discretion, they will make the appropriate decisions for further actions on this situation. This is a delicate matter and is handled on a case-by-case situation. At no point should you take possession or secure a room without the direction from the Police Department or MOD/Security.

Security/MOD

Contact the Police Department by calling the non-emergency line, advising them of the situation with the factual information received.
With the assistance of the Law enforcement Department, determine the best way to resolve the situation.
If it is determined that illegal drugs are indeed found in a Guest room, the MOD/Security will contact the General Manager via telephone. Radio should not be used in this matter.
A room checked out to a Guest is considered their property. This may inhibit what a Police Officer is legally allowed to search without a warrant.
If it is decided that a Guest will be confronted or if the Guest comes to the Front Desk, the Security/MOD and the Law Enforcement Department will take the Guest to a private area and explain the situation at hand with the factual information. If the Guest needs to be removed from the resort, the Police Department may do so at that time.
Security/MOD should advise that the resort would like to issue a CTW (Criminal Trespass Warning) on the Guest to ensure they do not return to the lodge.

Potential Marijuana in Room:

Security/MOD

Security should try to determine the source of where the smell is coming from.
If it is in a Guest room, knock on the door, kindly but firmly remind them of resort policies.
- Explain to the Guest that smoking is not permitted indoors and give a warning. Explain that the substance must be removed from property, or else Law Enforcement will be contacted.
Monitor the room and if problem persists, contact Law Enforcement.
If Security is to dispose of any marijuana, you must have a witness present.

Escalate

MOD should notify their GM/RVP and Corporate Risk.
- Regional Vice President and Corporate Risk Management should be notified through the Emergency Communication Channel.
If the situation involves a Pack Member and alcohol, the Director of Human Resources and the Department Director should be contacted.

Review

MOD

The MOD should evaluate how the situation impacted Pack Members and/or Guests to determine appropriate next steps.

Security

Security Pack Members are to complete a Security Report ensuring all supplemental information is collected an included in the report. Examples of these items would be police information, pictures or footage of the incident or witness statements from Pack Members.

Front Line Pack Members

Front line Pack Members involved in the incident should complete a witness statement for Security detailing the situation while the facts are fresh in their memory. This should be complete and collected before the end of their shift that same day.

In any Lodge Emergency the Corporate team will provide support and guidance throughout the entire process. The General Manager and MOD will work directly with this support team to give any additional direction.

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