Boca Raton Police Services Department - Notification of Next of Kin PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 41.24 NOTIFICATION OF NEXT OF KIN Revised: February 11, 2022 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish a procedure and provide guidelines for the Boca Raton Police Services Department when notify...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 41.24 NOTIFICATION OF NEXT OF KIN Revised: February 11, 2022 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish a procedure and provide guidelines for the Boca Raton Police Services Department when notifying the next of kin of deceased, seriously injured, or ill persons. II. DEFINITIONS: Next of Kin: A person’s closest living relative(s). III. PROCEDURE: A. Every effort shall be made to locate and notify the next of kin as soon as possible. B. Notification to the spouse, parents, child(ren), or other close relations shall be made in person whenever possible and without unnecessary delay to prevent the family from learning of the death, serious injury, or illness through a media release or other means. C. No less than two law enforcement officers (LEOs) shall make next of kin notifications. Community service officers (CSOs) may accompany LEOs when the notification involves a traffic homicide investigation. D. The LEO making the notification must have thorough knowledge of the circumstances leading to the death, injury or illness before making the notification. E. The LEOs shall identify his/her position with the Department, present his/her credentials, and ask to enter the residence. F. The LEO should attempt to have the next of kin sit down. G. When making the notification of a death to the next of kin and there are medical concerns presumed to be present, the LEO should contact Fire Rescue Services to stand by or contact them immediately if any medical concerns arise while on scene. H. When making the notification, the LEO shall exercise extreme tact, use a direct approach, and exercise the utmost compassion, professionalism, and sensitivity. I. The LEO shall be reassuring, empathetic, and offer any assistance possible. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: February 11, 2022 Notification of Next of Kin SOP No. 41.24 Page 1 of 3 J. The LEO shall use plain language, speak clearly, and give any details that are not confidential due to a pending investigation. K. If the next of kin is alone at the time of notification, a close friend, neighbor, or relative should be sought to stay with the person. L. Due to grief reactions, it is very important to provide the next of kin with either the supportive assistance of an on-call chaplain or victim advocate. 1. The on-call victim advocate and/or chaplain may be requested to respond at the discretion of the supervisor in charge of the investigation. 2. The on-call victim advocate should be called in the following situations if deemed necessary by the LEO on scene or when requested by the next of kin, with supervisory approval: a. Homicides b. Traffic fatalities c. The death of a child d. A child has witnessed the death or found the deceased e. Suicide cases f. Any death that evokes extreme reactions from the survivor(s) M. When the next of kin notification must be made outside of the City of Boca Raton and not within close proximity to the city, the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction will be requested to notify the next of kin. N. The name of the deceased shall never be released to the media prior to notification of next of kin. O. When documenting a next of kin notification, an LEO shall document the following in an Incident Report: 1. The name of the LEO(s) who made the notification. 2. The name of the person(s) who was notified. 3. The time and place of the notification. 4. If the chaplain responded and what assistance he/she provided. 5. If a victim advocate responded to the scene and what assistance he/she provided. P. The following procedures must be followed when the next of kin notification is requested from an external law enforcement agency: Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: February 11, 2022 Notification of Next of Kin SOP No. 41.24 Page 2 of 3 A teletype message must be received by communications from the external agency requesting the notification. 1. The LEO(s) making the notification must follow the procedures set forth in this policy and document the notification as an assist to a law enforcement agency. 2. The LEO must provide the next of kin with contact information from the requesting agency. 3. A teletype message shall be sent back to the requesting agency stating whether the notification was or was not made. 4. Approved: Michele Miuccio Chief of Police Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: February 11, 2022 Date: Notification of Next of Kin SOP No. 41.24 Page 3 of 3