Grandview Heights Police General Orders PDF

EFFECTIVE Grandview Heights Police General Orders January 5, 2012 REVISED August 14, 2020 NUMBER 3.38 TOTAL PAGES 4 Serious Crime Scenes, Threatened Officer Protection, and Guard Duty Cross Reference: ....... 1.09, 3.67 I. Policy Statements A. Responsibilities 1. An officer guarding a crime s...

EFFECTIVE Grandview Heights Police General Orders January 5, 2012 REVISED August 14, 2020 NUMBER 3.38 TOTAL PAGES 4 Serious Crime Scenes, Threatened Officer Protection, and Guard Duty Cross Reference: ....... 1.09, 3.67 I. Policy Statements A. Responsibilities 1. An officer guarding a crime scene shall be primarily responsible for the security of the scene and the preservation of evidence. 2. An officer guarding a hospitalized prisoner shall be primarily responsible for the security of the prisoner and the protection of citizens in the area. 3. An officer guarding a threatened officer shall be primarily responsible for the protection of the threatened officer, his or her family, and citizens in the area B. General Requirements 1. A Crime Scene Entry/Exit Log shall be completed and maintained at the scene of the guard anytime guard duty is established in connection with a prisoner, crime scene, or threatened officer. 2. All persons regardless of rank or assignment shall log in before entering a secured area. 3. Officers normally will not be assigned to guard duty for more than four consecutive hours. 4. Officers shall not take breaks while on guard duty unless relief is provided by a supervisor. 5. Officers shall not terminate guard duty without obtaining authorization from a supervisor or the primary investigator. 6. Personnel canceling guard duty shall notify the Radio Room. C. Guard Duty 1. A Sergeant shall ensure personnel are assigned to guard duty as needed. 2. If an officer cannot report for assigned guard duty, the sergeant shall assign another officer to handle the guard duty. D. Hospitalized Prisoners 1. The Division is responsible for the medical expenses of all hospitalized prisoners who are in our custody and for whom there is no other source of payment. In order to curtail unnecessary expenses, the following policies have been established. a. A misdemeanant requiring hospitalization should be issued a summons, if permitted by law and Division policy. b. When circumstances warrant, a direct indictment should be sought for a suspected felon requiring hospitalization. c. The decision to guard an individual requiring hospitalization shall be made by a supervisor. E. Protection for Threatened Officers 1. An Incident Report shall be completed whenever a credible threat against a police officer or an officer’s family is received. 2. Threatened officers should notify their chain of command and forward a copy of the Incident Report and a letter of information. General Order 3.38 Revised 08/14/20 Page 1 of 4 3. Credible threats of violence against police officers or their families shall not go unheeded. If necessary, the officer and/or the officer’s family shall receive police protection in order to insure their well-being, as determined by the Chief of Police. 4. This policy applies only if the threat is a result of a police-related action or otherwise due to the officer’s position as a member of the Division. All other threats shall be handled the same as for any citizen. II. Procedures A. Serious Crime Scenes 1. First Officer(s) at the Scene a. Obtain medical attention for injured persons. b. Apprehend any suspects, if possible. (1) Allow suspects to talk. (i) Make note of their statements. (ii) Do not question potential felony suspects about the crime. (iii)Do not advise potential felony suspects of their constitutional rights unless directed by the primary investigator. c. Take precautions to preserve physical evidence that may be on the suspects’ persons by minimizing their movements and activities, e.g., do not allow suspects to wash their hands or brush off their clothing unless authorized by the primary investigator. d. Establish the identity of potential witnesses and retain them for investigative personnel. (1) Isolate witnesses from one another. (2) Note any statements made by witnesses concerning the incident. e. Seal the scene at the perimeter and protect it from destruction, mutilation, concealment, and/or contamination. (1) Enter the crime scene without a warrant only to search for victims and/or suspects. Note: During this limited search, evidence that is in plain view may be seized. However, it is recommended that no evidence be seized unless it is likely to be tampered with or destroyed, or unless it presents an immediate risk of physical harm. A search with a warrant is the preferred course of action. (2) Avoid contaminating evidence by touching or moving any items, including firearms. Note: Do not collect any evidence before it is photographed or processed except to prevent its loss or destruction or to avoid an imminent risk of physical harm. f. Establish a single point of entry into the scene. (1) Direct anyone requesting to enter the scene to the established entry point. (2) Do not allow unauthorized personnel to enter the scene, regardless of their rank. (3) Do not re-enter the scene unless directed by the investigator. 2. Supervisor a. Assign an officer to provide scene security. b. Notify investigative personnel when necessary. c. Transfer control of the scene to investigative personnel upon their arrival. d. Cause an Incident Report to be taken, unless it will be taken by investigative personnel. 3. Scene Security Officer a. Abide by the applicable guidelines for first responding officer(s). b. Maintain the Crime Scene Entry/Exit Log. General Order 3.38 Revised 08/14/20 Page 2 of 4 (1) Sign the Crime Scene Entry/Exit Log at the beginning of the guard assignment. (2) Complete the “Crime Scene Checklist” on the reverse side of the Crime Scene Entry/Exit Log as information becomes available. (3) Report and log any unusual occurrences, and notify the primary investigator. (4) Sign the Crime Scene Entry/Exit Log at the end of your guard assignment and leave it with your relief or with the primary investigator, if the scene is released. c. Remain at the established point of entry until relieved. 4. Investigative Personnel a. Take control of the crime scene. b. Notify specialized personnel as needed. c. Take an Incident Report when required. d. Conduct the follow-up investigation. B. Hospitalized Prisoner 1. Guarding Officer(s) a. Shackle hospitalized prisoners by the wrist or ankle to the bed, except when prohibited for medical reasons. b. Remain with the prisoner at all times, except: (1) When exigent circumstances exist (2) When the prisoner’s attorney visits, take a position in which to observe the prisoner without overhearing the conversation. c. Cause the telephone/cell phone to be inoperable or removed. d. Initiate a Crime Scene Entry/Exit Log if you are the first officer to guard the prisoner. e. Maintain the Crime Scene Entry/Exit Log. (1) Record your name, badge number, and times on and off guard duty. (2) Record all visitors. (3) Do not log hospital personnel performing their required duties. If in doubt, contact a hospital supervisor to verify the identity or authority of persons claiming to be hospital personnel. (4) Attach all Visitation Authorization forms to the Crime Scene Entry/Exit Log, whether or not visitation was granted. (5) Report and log all unusual occurrences for future reference. f. Admit only those visitors who have been approved by a supervisor. (1) Request identification to verify information on the form. g. Deny admittance for just cause to any person acting disorderly or who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. h. Search visitors when necessary. (1) Deny admittance to any visitor refusing a search and record this information on the Crime Scene Entry/Exit Log. (2) If the visitor to be searched is not of the same gender as the guarding officer, delay admittance until an officer of the same gender can respond to conduct the search. (3) Inspect all items that may contain contraband, or require that the visitor leave them at the door. i. Allow only one visitor at a time in the room with the prisoner. j. Strictly enforce the fifteen-minute visitation time limit. This time limit does not apply to the prisoner’s attorney k. When the guard duty is terminated, forward the Crime Scene Entry/Exit Logs investigating officer. 2. Investigative Personnel a. Advise the supervisors of any visitation prohibitions. General Order 3.38 Revised 08/14/20 Page 3 of 4 b. Retain the Crime Scene Entry/Exit Log form in the investigative package once the guard duty has been cancelled. C. Threatened Officer Protection 1. Sergeant Depending upon the circumstances of the threat, convey instructions to the guarding officer(s) as to the extent of their duties, e.g., to watch only for suspicious activity or to stop and identify all visitors. 2. Guarding Officer(s) a. Initiate a Crime Scene Entry/Exit Log if you are the first officer to assume guard duty. b. Maintain the Crime Scene Entry/Exit Log. (1) Record your name, badge number, and times on and off guard duty. (2) Log all visitors, if necessary, due to the circumstances of the threat. (3) Report and log all unusual occurrences or suspicious activity. c. Forward the Crime Scene Entry/Exit Log to the investigator when the guard duty is terminated. 3. Investigator Ensure the Crime Scene Entry/Exit Log are retained in the investigative package once the guard duty has been cancelled. General Order 3.38 Revised 08/14/20 Page 4 of 4