Response to calls for service.pdf

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 41.230 RESPONSE TO CALLS FOR SERVICE Revised: September 22, 2021 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this departmental standards directive is to establish procedures for response to calls for service. II. POLICY: Law enforcement off...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 41.230 RESPONSE TO CALLS FOR SERVICE Revised: September 22, 2021 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this departmental standards directive is to establish procedures for response to calls for service. II. POLICY: Law enforcement officers (LEOs) are authorized to respond to calls for service as Code 1 or 3. III. DEFINITIONS: Code 1 Response: Normal, safe driving when a police presence is needed, but a rapid response is not imperative. All traffic signs, signals, speed limits, and traffic control devices are obeyed. Code 3 Response: Response to an emergency call with the sirens and emergency lights activated simultaneously. The vehicle that is engaged in a Code 3 response is an authorized emergency vehicle. 15.09 IV. PROCEDURE: A. CODE 1 RESPONSE: 14.06 1. A Code 1 normal response; obey all traffic rules and regulation in accordance with Florida law. 2. When public safety dispatchers/public safety dispatch supervisors (PSD/PSDS) or a Road Patrol supervisor does not specify an emergency response, LEOs will respond to calls in a Code 1 response. 3. A Code 1 response may be upgraded to a Code 3 response with authorization by an LEO supervisor or a PSD/PSDS. If the responding LEO has knowledge that an emergency exists at the call to which he/she is responding, the LEO may request authorization from an LEO supervisor to engage in an code 3 response. B. CODE 3 RESPONSE: 14.06, 15.09 1. All Code 3 emergency dispatched calls will be preceded by one (1) long alert tone. The PSD will then call the assigned LEO(s) and begin dispatching the call by stating “respond code 3 to,” and the call information. Code 3 calls will not be blindly dispatched. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: September 22, 2021 Response to Calls for Service Directive No. 41.230 Page 1 of 4 2. In addition to being dispatched Code 3, there are certain calls in which an LEO may automatically be authorized to respond Code 3 to include: a. All violent in progress calls. b. Burglary to an occupied structure. c. Serious injury crashes. d. Prisoner escapes. e. Medical calls in which emergency response time is critical. f. code. When an employee is in trouble and calling for help or uses the 10-24 g. When a back-up LEO (10-94 code) is requested in an expedited response. 3. LEO supervisors may authorize a Code 3 response to calls not involving a potential threat to citizens. However, this decision must be weighed against several factors, some of which may include, but are not limited to: a. Weather Conditions b. Time of day/night c. Other traffic (pedestrian and motor vehicle) 4. LEOs shall respond to a Code 3 emergency call with the siren and emergency lights activated simultaneously. The vehicle that is engaged in a Code 3 response is an authorized emergency vehicle. 5. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle shall not be relieved of any liability or duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway. 6. Life and property shall not be endangered when operating a vehicle in a Code 3 response. 7. At traffic control devices where the LEO does not have the right of way, he/she must stop and wait until it is safe before proceeding. C. USE OF LIGHTED LAMPS: 15.09 1. FSS 316.217 mandates the use of lighted lamps at all times between sunset and sunrise (including twilight) except when response to a call for service with lighted lamps may be an LEO safety issue or hinder the enforcement of the law, or in routine patrol where the use of lighted lamps may hinder the detection or prevention of crime. An LEO who operates a police vehicle without lighted lamps when required will operate in a safe manner and with due regard for the safety of all persons. Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: September 22, 2021 Response to Calls for Service Directive No. 41.230 Page 2 of 4 D. ROLE OF COMMUNICATIONS: 15.09 1. PSD/PSDS will authorize a Code 3 response, consistent with the above guidelines. If an LEO supervisor does not agree that the call warrants a Code 3 response, he/she can downgrade that response to Code 1 after it has been dispatched. An LEO supervisor has the final authority in authorizing a Code 3 response. 2. The PSDS may also downgrade a response based on additional information received. 3. Patrol supervisors will monitor the radio at all times to ensure that calls are responded to appropriately. 4. Regardless of which response is authorized, the responding LEO maintains the primary responsibility to respond to all calls in a safe manner. E. PRIORITY CLASSIFICATION: 1. In accordance with the preceding information, Communications Section employees classify incoming calls according to priority. These priority classifications range from 1 through 9 with priority 1 being the highest. 15.09 2. High Priority calls (Priority 1-3) require an immediate response by an LEO. That response may or may not be Code 3. 15.09 3. High Priority calls are to be dispatched as soon as possible to the nearest available LEO(s). 15.09 4. A nearby LEO on a lower priority call may be “redirected” to respond to a higher priority call. 15.09 5. High priority calls that have a “P” designation (meaning in progress) will not be held under any circumstances. 15.09 6. High Priority calls with the “P” designation shall be dispatched as follows: 15.09 a. The PSD/PSDS will multi-select the appropriate radio talk groups and issue one (1) long burst of the Alert Tone. b. This will alert all LEOs of a High Priority “P” call and simultaneously issue 10-33 (limited traffic) on PD1. c. In addition to any assigned LEOs, a Road Patrol supervisor shall be assigned to the call. 7. Calls exhibiting any of the following conditions may be classified as High Priority “P”. 15.09 Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: September 22, 2021 Response to Calls for Service Directive No. 41.230 Page 3 of 4 a. Danger to human life or damage to property is imminent. 15.09 b. Perpetrator(s) is at the scene or in the area creating potential danger or harm. 15.09 c. The magnitude of the incident is such that it should receive immediate attention. d. Any other circumstances that cause the PSD/PSDS to believe that an immediate response is necessary. 8. Medium or Low Priority calls are characterized by a normal or delayed response. Calls exhibiting any of the following conditions may be classified as Medium to Low Priority: a. No immediate threat to person(s) or property. b. Calls that require the presence of an LEO, but the response time will have no effect on the outcome of the call. c. Reports of delayed incidents. d. The responding LEOs will regularly advise the telecommunicator PSD/PSDS of their location and route when possible. 9. The quality of police service being rendered, as characterized by Priority 4 through 9 calls, will not decrease due to a delay in response. 10. As an immediate response is not required, Medium or Low Priority calls may be delayed or “stacked” until the appropriate LEO or CSO is available to respond. 11. Generally, most calls that do not fit the criteria for an immediate response may be delayed until additional LEOs or CSOs are in service. 12. Communications Section employees shall notify a Patrol supervisor, in addition to the original caller, whenever a call is not dispatched after twenty (20) minutes. Approved: Michele Miuccio Chief of Police Effective: May 1, 1982 Revised: September 22, 2021 Date: Response to Calls for Service Directive No. 41.230 Page 4 of 4