I do not want to cause panic, so I should do this based on my authority as a police officer and not in any way that could cause alarm. I have no way of knowing whether this backpack contains an IED, or if it does, how much destructive power it is capable of. Moreover by myself I have no way to clear the entire mall. I would instruct the managers to shut the kitchen down, turning off all flames, and to empty the restaurant completely. I would tell people to move to the shopping areas of the mall, because the glass windows in the restaurant could blow into the indoor area round the restaurant. .

             If I have police tape, it would be good to put that up to provide a first perimeter, but I might have to tell the managers of the restaurant at this point that they must be behind the tape also, since I have asked for their help prior to this.

             ALERT EMERGENCY PERSONNEL.

             I would move as far away as possible before using a radio or cell phone to call for backup, but I would hope that my police department understands the risks and would already be sending backup personnel. If it is necessary for me to alert emergency personnel, I need to give them enough information to make an effective response. Because a mall is so big and because the bomb squad may give the order to completely clear the mall, the police department has to be ready to send significant numbers of people to that location. They may need backup from neighboring municipalities although they might well choose to send a smaller number. I would tell them the size perimeter I have set and whether I think that is adequate or not. That should be reassessed after the bomb personnel arrive.

             TURN OFF THE RADIOS.

             I would turn off my radio, and I would also tell people that once they have moved to the established perimeter they should turn off their cell phones.

             INVESTIGATE THE SCENE.

             If this package contains a bomb, then this setting is also a crime scene.