21-09 Patrol Procedures

Patrol Procedures

I. Introduction

• The Kansas City Missouri Police Department provides guidelines and procedures for patrol officers to follow during their tour of duty.
• Officer safety is the primary consideration when responding to calls for service.

II. Policy

• Officer safety and the safety of Department members is the top priority when responding to calls for service.
• All digital media recording equipment must be activated as outlined in the written directive "Internally Recorded Digital Media Records."

III. Procedure

Calls for Service

• Two or more officers will be dispatched to incidents with a high likelihood of danger or violence.
• If one officer of a two-officer car is required to perform other duties, they must notify the Communications Unit.
• Officers should respond promptly to calls for service and notify the dispatcher if they are unable to respond promptly.
• If an officer believes a situation requires additional officers, they should request assistance.

A. Dispatching of Officers for Calls for Service

• The dispatcher will send an additional officer to assist with the car/pedestrian check if an officer believes an individual/vehicle leaving the area is connected with a crime.
• In domestic violence situations, officers will consider intent, comparative extent of injuries, and history of domestic violence in determining the primary physical aggressor.

B. Responding to Calls for Service

• Officers should respond promptly to calls for service and notify the dispatcher if they are unable to respond promptly.
• If an officer believes a situation requires additional officers, they should request assistance.

C. Domestic Violence

• The term "primary physical aggressor" is defined as the most significant aggressor.
• The law enforcement officer will consider intent, comparative extent of injuries, and history of domestic violence in determining the primary physical aggressor.
• Probable cause standard for domestic violence is no different from probable cause for any other arrest situation.
• If probable cause exists, an arrest will be made, and charges will be sought.

D. Alarm Calls

• If an alarm site has no alarm permit, or has a suspended, revoked, or expired permit, the alarm user will not be authorized to have a police response, except in certain circumstances (critical infrastructures, Panic and Hold Up alarms, alarm company notification).
• Officers will be dispatched to alarm calls and will check the premises in accordance with guidelines.
• If an offense or attempted offense has occurred, the primary officer will notify the dispatcher of the change in call classification, obtain a case report number, and take the appropriate report.
• If an open door or window is discovered, the primary officer will notify the dispatcher and attempt to notify a responsible party to secure the premises.

E. Gunshot Detection System

• Officers will respond to gunshot detection system calls as they would on any shots fired call.
• Officers will hold the air upon arrival, search for any injured parties and/or witnesses, and conduct a reasonable area canvass for potential victims.

F. Responsibilities at the Scene

• Officers will take charge of, secure, and process the crime scene, and request Crime Scene Investigation Section (CSI) personnel when appropriate.
• Officers will identify and request the cooperation of any witness present and separate witnesses until they can be interviewed.
• Officers will not enter any building of a potentially dangerous situation without an assisting officer unless the immediate risk of serious injury or loss of life dictates otherwise.

G. Arrests

• Officers will make any appropriate arrest, considering multiple suspects and keeping them separate to prevent conversations.
• If a suspect has left the scene, obtain a description, direction, and means of travel, and issue pick-up information as soon as possible.

H. Reports

• Officers will make every attempt to take reports within their patrol area.
• If an officer whose patrol area the call for service is dispatched within is not available, the officer first dispatched will be responsible for the report.

I. Additional Resource Responses

• Plainclothes officers responding to calls for service should advise the dispatcher that they are responding in plainclothes and give their clothing and vehicle description.
• If appropriate, request a canine team and/or helicopter for tracking and/or searching.
• If an air ambulance is responding, Fire Department personnel are responsible for locating a suitable landing zone, and if not present, an officer may be required to locate a suitable landing zone.

J. Department Issued Equipment

• The Department-approved baton will be carried on all disturbance calls, party armed calls, and whenever practical.
• The reflective vest will be worn while directing traffic or conducting vehicular accident investigations on any roadway.### Self-Initiated Activity
• All traffic stops, car checks, pedestrian checks, and searches/seizures of property must be based on reasonable suspicion or probable cause
• Racial profiling information must be captured, as mandated by law
• Officers must get out of service with the dispatcher before conducting a self-initiated activity, providing the location and description of the vehicle/occupant or pedestrian
• If the check involves more than one occupant, the officer will request assistance from another officer(s)
• Officers should not drive alongside a vehicle/individual and talk to the occupant from the police vehicle when conducting a traffic violation, car check, or pedestrian check
• If warranted, officers may frisk the occupants/pedestrian before questioning
• Officers should check vehicle licenses and occupant(s)/pedestrian(s) names through the Mobile Data Computer (MDC)

Lawful Building Checks and Searches

• Officers must notify the dispatcher of the exact address or location of the building(s) and the purpose of the check/search before arriving
• Officers should physically check all doors and windows thoroughly
• Officers should not enter the building alone unless there are exigent circumstances
• If there is reason to believe someone has entered unlawfully, officers should guard the most likely avenue of escape
• Officers should request a canine team and/or helicopter to respond when appropriate

Animal Rescue

• Animals left unattended in closed vehicles or chained in yards in direct sunlight may be at risk of overheating when the temperature exceeds 70 degrees
• Suspected animal abuse or neglect can be reported to the City approved animal rescue or the Humane Society of Missouri
• Officers are authorized to enter a motor vehicle to rescue an animal if it is confined in a public place under weather conditions that endanger its life
• Officers should request a response from the City approved animal rescue for transport of the animal to the municipal animal shelter

Attempt to Locate Motor Vehicle

• An owner of a motor vehicle can report their vehicle as missing if they have reasonable suspicion a crime has been committed
• There is a 72-hour waiting period from the time the vehicle was to be returned
• The owner must respond to a patrol division and provide proof of ownership
• Officers may stop a vehicle that responds in the computer as an "Attempt to Locate Motor Vehicle"
• If the occupant(s) is not the owner, officers may take custody of the vehicle and notify the Stolen Auto Desk

Crime Scene Responsibilities

• The initial officers at the scene must secure and tape off the primary crime scene using white/blue tape
• The outer scene/staging area should be secured with yellow tape
• Officers should preserve any evidence that could be easily lost or destroyed
• The Crime Scene Sign-In Log, Form 227 P.D./227A P.D., records all members who enter the crime scene
• Unauthorized individuals, including any member without a valid reason, will be prohibited from entering the crime scene to avoid contamination or alteration by their presence### Crime Scene Investigation
• At a crime scene, nothing should be altered or disturbed unless absolutely necessary.
• If the scene must be altered, the information should be relayed to investigative members upon their arrival.
• The member who altered the scene will be required to complete a progressive investigation.
• Members should not use crime scene utilities, mark evidence, or render a firearm safe unless necessary.

Officer Responsibilities

• Officers should be cognizant of the fact that individuals in custody may possess evidence that needs to be collected.
• Officers should protect these individuals to avoid destruction of evidence and contact CSI for instruction prior to transport.

Field Sergeant Responsibilities

• The initial field sergeant should ensure the crime scene is taped-off into two scenes (primary crime scene and outer scene/staging area).
• The field sergeant should confirm that an officer is maintaining the Crime Scene Sign-In Log.

Investigation Unit Responsibilities

• The investigative supervisor or detective in charge has overall authority of the crime scene.
• Investigative members should advise the responding officer if a report is required.

Crime Lab Photo Application

• The use of personal devices to take offense-related photographs is strongly discouraged.
• Personal photographs of a police incident are prohibited.
• All uploading, copying, and viewing of images through the "CL Photo App" is electronically tracked and recorded.
• Photographs will only be viewed through the App by members with an investigatory or training reason.

DNA Trained Officers

• DNA trained officers are primarily trained to respond to Property Crimes cases.
• DNA trained officers may be requested to assess crime scenes for biological evidence, document the scene through photography and reporting, and process crime scenes for latent prints.

Canine Team

• The Canine Section is available to assist officers on a 24-hour call-back basis.
• When officers at the scene determine that searching/tracking is necessary, they should establish a perimeter around the area.
• When a positive narcotic "hit" is detected by a canine team, the requesting officer will notify the Drug Enforcement Unit.

Hazardous Material Incidents

• When responding to a hazardous material incident, officers should don Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Officers should contact a supervisor if radiation is suspected and utilize data from the Mini-Radiac Gamma Personal Radiation Detector.
• Officers should notify the dispatcher of the type of hazard, utilizing the Department of Transportation Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG), and the exact location of the hazard.

Interagency Conflicts

• When an interagency conflict or disagreement occurs, a Department commander/supervisor will respond to the scene and determine what immediate resolution may be necessary.
• The commander/supervisor will submit an Interdepartment Communication, Form 191 P.D., through the chain of command relating the details of the incident.
• Interagency conflicts will be diplomatically resolved by the administrators of the departments involved.