329 Major Incident NotificTion

Question 1

329.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to members of this department in determining when, how and to whom notification of major incidents should be made.

Answer 1

Policy

Question 2

329.2 POLICY

The Berkeley Police Department recognizes that certain incidents should be brought to the attention of supervisors or other specified personnel of this department to facilitate the coordination of activities and ensure that inquiries from the media and the public may be properly addressed.

Answer 2

Policy

Question 3

329.3 MINIMUM CRITERIA FOR NOTIFICATION / MAJOR INCODENTS

Most situations where the media show a strong interest are also of interest to the Chief of Police and the affected Division Captain.

The following list of incident types is provided as a guide for notification and is not intended to be all inclusive:

Answer 3

1) Homicides
2) Traffic accidents with fatalities
3) Officer-involved shooting - on or off duty (see Officer-Involved Shootings and Deaths Policy for special notifications)
4) Significant injury or death to employee - on or off duty
5) Death of a prominent Berkeley official
6) Arrest or investigation of a city employee or prominent Berkeley official
7) Aircraft crash with major damage and/or injury or death
8) In-custody deaths

Question 4

329.4 WATCH COMMANDER RESPONSIBILITY

Who is responsible for making notifications for major incidents?

Answer 4

1) The Watch Commander is responsible for making the appropriate notifications.
2) The Watch Commander shall make reasonable attempts to obtain as much information on the incident as possible before notification.
3) The Watch Commander shall attempt to make the notifications as soon as practicable.
4) Notification should be made by calling the home telephone number first and then by any other available contact numbers.

Question 5

329.4.1 STAFF NOTIFICATION

In the event an incident occurs described in the Major Incident Notification Policy, the following shall be notified:

Answer 5

1) the Chief of Police
2) the affected Division Captain
3) the Detective Lieutenant if that division is affected.

Question 6

329.4.2 DETECTIVE NOTIFICATION

True or false

If the incident requires that a detective respond from home, the immediate supervisor of the appropriate detail shall be contacted who will then contact the appropriate detective.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

329.4.3 TRAFFIC BUREAU NOTIFICATION

True or False:

In the event of a traffic fatality or major injury, the Traffic Sergeant shall be notified who will then contact the appropriate accident investigator. The Traffic Sergeant will notify the Traffic Lieutenant.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

329.4.4 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER (PIO)

True or false

The Public Information Officer shall be the first member of BPD to be notified of a major incident, in order to allow them ample time to gather/ obtain information about the incident, in order to brief command staff and detectives or traffic.

Answer 8

False

Answer:

The Public Information Officer shall be called after members of staff have been notified that it appears the media may have a significant interest in the incident.