Policy Text
Policy
308Buena Park Police Department
Buena Park PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/12/04, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Buena Park Police DepartmentOfficer Response to Calls - 1Officer Response to Calls
308.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides for the safe and appropriate response to emergency and non-emergency
situations whether dispatched or self-initiated.
308.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This section pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 41.2.1, 41.2.4, 81.2.6
308.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Buena Park Police Department that officers will respond to emergency
situations, whether dispatched or self-initiated, in a lawful and appropriate manner to ensure the
safety of the public and the officers, and in compliance with the Vehicle Code.
308.3 RESPONSE TO CALLS
Calls for service shall be considered emergency calls when available information reasonably
indicates the public is threatened with serious injury or death and immediate police response is
needed. All other calls shall be considered non-emergent. Officers shall be dispatched "Code-3"
to emergency calls and requests for emergency assistance.
Officers dispatched "Code-3" shall consider the call an emergency response and proceed
immediately. Officers responding Code-3 shall continuously operate emergency lighting
equipment, including at minimum a steady forward facing red light, and shall sound the siren as
reasonably necessary pursuant to Vehicle Code § 21055.
Responding with emergency light(s) and siren does not relieve the officer of the duty to continue
to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons. The use of any other warning equipment
without a red light and siren does not provide any exemption from the Vehicle Code.
Officers should only respond Code-3 when so dispatched or when circumstances reasonably
indicate an emergency response is required. Officers not authorized to respond Code-3 shall
observe all traffic laws and proceed without the use of emergency lights and siren.
308.4 REQUESTING EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Requests for emergency assistance should be limited to those situations where the involved
personnel reasonably believe that there is an immediate threat to the safety of officers, or
assistance is needed to prevent imminent serious harm to a citizen. In any event, where a situation
has stabilized and emergency response is not required, the requesting officer shall immediately
notify the Communications Center.
If circumstances permit, the requesting officer should give the following information:
•The unit number
•The location
Buena Park Police Department
Buena Park PD Policy Manual
Officer Response to Calls
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/12/04, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Buena Park Police DepartmentOfficer Response to Calls - 2•The reason for the request and type of emergency
•The number of units required
308.4.1 NUMBER OF UNITS ASSIGNED
If an officer believes a Code-3 response to any call is appropriate, the officer shall immediately
notify Dispatch. Should an officer believe a Code-3 response is appropriate in a situation when
only one unit is assigned to respond Code-3, the officer shall notify Dispatch before initiating
Code-3 response. The Watch Commander or Field Supervisor will determine whether more than
one officer driving Code-3 is appropriate.
308.5 INITIATING CODE 3 RESPONSE
If an officer believes a Code-3 response to any call is appropriate, the officer shall immediately
notify the Communications Center. Generally, only one unit should respond Code-3 to any
situation. Should another officer believe a Code-3 response is appropriate, the Communications
Center shall be notified and the Watch Commander or field supervisor will make a determination
as to whether one or more officers driving Code-3 is appropriate.
308.6 RESPONSIBILITIES OF RESPONDING OFFICERS
Officers shall exercise sound judgment and care with due regard for life and property when
responding to an emergency call. Officers shall reduce speed at all street intersections to such a
degree that they shall have complete control of the vehicle.
The decision to continue a Code-3 response is at the discretion of the officer. If, in the officer's
judgment, the roadway conditions or traffic congestion does not permit such a response without
unreasonable risk, the officer may elect to respond to the call without the use of red lights and siren
at the legal speed limit. In such an event, the officer should immediately notify the Communications
Center. An officer shall also discontinue the Code-3 response when directed by a supervisor.
Upon receiving authorization or determining a Code-3 response is appropriate, an officer shall
immediately give the location from which he/she is responding.
308.6.1 OPTICOM SYSTEM
Patrol units are equipped with the Opticom system. Officers responding Code-3 can activate
the system, which will cause Opticom-equipped traffic signals to transition to a green phase
for approaching emergency responders with the Opticom turned on. Officers should not rely on
the Opticom system to function at every intersection they approach and are still responsible for
clearing each intersection they enter. The Opticom system shall not be used to activate traffic
signal controls in non-Code-3 response situations.
Officers shall, when practicable, deactivate the Opticom system upon arrival at the assigned call
or incident to avoid disruption of traffic signal controls in the immediate area.
Buena Park Police Department
Buena Park PD Policy Manual
Officer Response to Calls
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/12/04, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Buena Park Police Department