4.162 RESPONSE TO SICK OR INJURED PERSON CALLS AND DEATHS

Question 1

Patrol units will be dispatched on 421 calls that are:

Answer 1

1. Are suspicious in nature.
2. Are related to unknown trouble calls.
3. Involve injuries as a result of criminal activity or traffic accident.
4. Are the result of a gunshot.
5. Indicate a need for police involvement due to other circumstances.

Question 2

Escorting civilian vehicles under emergency circumstances is extremely dangerous and must be _______

Answer 2

avoided

Question 3

If a person is suffering from potential life-threatening injury or substantial head trauma what must be done?

Answer 3

1. ICR for sick or injured person must be completed
2. Photos will be taken to document details

Question 4

If officers arrive on a call where a resident, or person responsible for the structure, is transported and there is no other responsible party to care for the structure, the officer will

Answer 4

secure the structure by locking it.

Question 5

What will the officer do if he’s unable to secure or lock the door?

Answer 5

request dispatch to call the on-call company to secure it

Question 6

Who will be billed for an officer requesting the 3rd party company to secure the building?

Answer 6

The property owner will be billed directly by the on-call company for the service

Question 7

What are the 5 manners of death defined by the coroners office?

Answer 7

1. natural
2. accidental
3. homicide
4. suicide
5. undetermined

Question 8

Patrol officers arriving on a scene determined to be suspicious or the result of a homicide will:

6 steps

Answer 8

a. Secure the scene, obtain all contact information from witness(es), family member(s), person reporting and/or suspect(s).
b. Request a Crime Scene Investigations (CSI)
c. Notify the Homicide Section via Communications or by phone Monday through Friday during business hours. Any death calls during non-operational hours requiring a detective response will be made via Communications to the Homicide lieutenant or designee.
d. Maintain the security of the scene, witness(es), family member(s), person reporting, and/or suspect(s) until relieved by Homicide personnel.
e. Complete the Major Incident Log (LVMPD 437).
f. Separate the witnesses and have them complete Voluntary Statements (LVMPD 85).

Question 9

Supervisor upon hearing the primary officer reporting a suspicious death or homicide will respond to the scene and ensure:

Answer 9

1. CSA was requested
2. Homicide Detectives have been notified.

Question 10

Patrol officers upon arriving at the scene, determine not to be a homicide, or an in-custody death, or suspicious circumstances, will: 6 Steps

Answer 10

a. Secure the scene, gather witness(es) and related information.
b. Notify the coroner’s office via Communications.
c. For deaths that appear to be natural, coordinate with the coroner investigator to ensure photographs are taken.
d. Request CSI on all suicides, overdoses and other deaths that are considered “not natural.”
e. Maintain presence at the scene until no longer needed by the coroner investigator.
f. Complete the Dead Body Incident Report in P1

Question 11

Patrol Supervisor upon arriving at the scene of a suicide, overdose or death not considered natural will ensure..

3 steps

Answer 11

a. CSA have been requested
b. Ensure the coroner investigator has been requested.
c. Ensure the Dead Body Incident Report is complete and detailed on all death events, as this may be the only documentation of the death.

Question 12

Will a patrol supervisor respond to natural deaths?

Answer 12

They will not

Question 13

When it comes to handling deaths that are not determined to be a homicide, in-custody death, or suspicious. Who is responsible for the investigation?

Answer 13

Coroners office.

Question 14

Regarding deaths involving persons of media interest, LVMPD employees, or their family members. Who will be notified?

Answer 14

Homicide LT or designee to determine homicide section response.

Question 15

What happens to all the personal property at the scene belonging to the decedent such as identification, money and jewelry?

Answer 15

it will be placed in safekeeping by the coroners office or public administrator, NOT IMPOUNDED BY LVMPD

Question 16

Only the firearm used in an incident (suicide, accidental shooting, etc.) will be impounded as evidence by ______?

Answer 16

CSA

Question 17

Will the Coroner investigator collect firearms?

Answer 17

No. They will not collect any firearms.

Question 18

Are public adminstrators able to secure firearms?

Answer 18

Public Administrator may secure tangible assets of the estate, including firearms

Question 19

Under what circumstances may patrol officers impound firearms for safekeeping, according to the policy?

Answer 19

Patrol officers may impound other firearms for safekeeping when a threat to life or safety exists, with justification noted, and when the Public Administrator is not available.

Question 20

In the event that a vehicle poses a hazard on a roadway, what action will LVMPD take?

Answer 20

If the vehicle is a hazard. LVMPD will have vehicle towed.

Question 21

What are the coroners responsiblities when dealing with vehicles belonging to the decedent?

Answer 21

Coroner will photograph the vehicle, lock and secure it, and advise the landlord, or person responsible for the property, that the property owner can have the vehicle towed if need be.

Question 22

4.162.8 Securing Structures on a Dead Body Call

In cases where a structure is left unattended without a responsible person on the scene and cannot easily be secured, and the structure was not damaged by LVMPD. Who is responsible for securing the structure?

Answer 22

The coroner investigator. They will call their on-call company. They will remain on property till the structure is secured. Lvmpd may stay if requested by coroner.

Question 23

4.162.8 Securing Structures on a Dead Body Call

In cases where a structure is left unattended without a responsible person on the scene and cannot easily be secured, and the structure was damaged by LVMPD. who secures the structure?

Answer 23

LVMPD officers will contacct the on-call company and will remain on scene until the property is secured.

Question 24

Who will be notified on all child-related deaths?

Answer 24

Abuse/neglect LT

Question 25

Who will be the primary investigator on most child deaths including deaths by child abuse?

Answer 25

Abuse/neglect detail

Question 26

When will homicide typically take primary responsibility for a child death?

Answer 26

If there was an act of concealment or body disposal after death.

Question 27

Which team may assist on suspected child(teenager) overdoses and may take the lead after coordinating with Abuse/Neglect?

Answer 27

Overdose Response Team (ORT)

Question 28

The Abuse/Neglect Detail and/or Homicide Section will respond to child deaths resulting from:

Answer 28

1. Non-accidental injuries
2. An intentional act
3. Injuries and/or deaths resulting from blunt force trauma, abusive head trauma or from being violently “shaken”
4. Medical neglect
5. Suicide
6. Drug overdose

Question 29

In cases involving a child’s death that is determined to be an intended act or involves acts of concealment or body disposal after death, what is the typical procedure for determining the investigative responsibility?

Answer 29

The Abuse/Neglect lieutenant will consult with the Homicide lieutenant, who will decide which section or detail will respond and assume investigative responsibility.

Question 30

What will a patrol officer do upon arriving **at the scene **with a dead child? 6 steps

Answer 30

a. Secure the scene, obtain all contact information from witness(es), family member(s), person reporting and/or suspect(s).
b. Request a CSA
c. Notify the Abuse/Neglect Detail via Communications or by phone Monday through Friday during business hours. Any death calls during non-operational hours requiring a detective response will be via Communications to the Abuse/Neglect on-call detective.
d. Maintain the security of the scene, witness(es), family member(s), person reporting, and/or suspect(s) until relieved by Homicide and/or Abuse/Neglect personnel.
e. Notify Child Protective Services (CPS) of the child death, the preliminary details of the case, and obtain all related CPS history.
f. Identify any siblings of the victim, their current location and who they are with. Include this information in any detective briefing.

Question 31

What will a patrol officer do upon arriving **at the hospital **with a dead child? 9 steps

Answer 31

a. Secure the scene (including the residence or location where the incident started), obtain contact information from witness(es), family member(s), person reporting and/or suspect(s).
b. If requested, allow parents/guardians to leave the residence or location and go to the hospital where their child was taken unless there are clear signs of physical abuse. Any family member requesting to leave and go to the hospital should be identified first. Patrol will contact the responding Abuse/Neglect detective or sergeant if they have questions or concerns.
c. **If the coroner’s office is responding to the hospital, keep the family separate from the child. The coroner investigator and Abuse/Neglect detective will coordinate any visits and transfer of keepsakes. **If there are issues with the hospital staff and/or family, contact the responding detective or sergeant to advise of circumstances.
d. In clear cases of abuse, ensure that all parties remain at their initial location of contact. Responding detectives will be briefed as to the location of relevant parties. Consent and cooperation are critical to child death investigations. Professionalism must always be maintained when dealing with the family of a deceased child.
e. Request a CSA
f. Notify the Abuse/Neglect lieutenant via Communications or by phone Monday through Friday during business hours. Any death calls during non-operational hours requiring a detective response will be via Communications to the Abuse/Neglect on-call detective.
g. Maintain the security of the scene, witness(es), family member(s), person reporting, and/or suspect(s) until relieved by Abuse/Neglect detectives. In cases where the child victim has been transported to a hospital, the initial detective briefing will occur at the hospital.
h. If CPS has not been notified yet, advise them of the child death, the preliminary details of the case, and obtain all related CPS history.
i. Identify any siblings of the victim, their current location and who they are with. Include this information in any detective briefing.

Question 32

What will a patrol supervisor do upon hearing about a dead child call and their officer has responded to the hospital or scene?

3 steps

Answer 32

1. ensure CSA has been requested
2. verify that homicide or abuse neglect was requested
3. ensure cps was notified

Question 33

Who is notified of all in-custody deaths involving a police/correction officer or an inmate housed at CCDC, North Valley, Tucker holding facility or a medical facility.

Answer 33

FIT LT or designee

Question 34

An in-custody death is defined as the death of a person who is:

Answer 34

1. Who is under arrest.
2. Who is an inmate housed at CCDC, North Valley Complex, or medical facility.
3. Who has been contacted or detained by officers and during the contact when the death occurs (i.e., vehicle or pedestrian stop, a person commits suicide when officers are near or have the person contained).