Policy Text
Policy
313Fremont Police Department
Officer Response to Calls
313.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides for the safe and appropriate response to emergency and non-emergency
situations whether dispatched or self-initiated.
313.2 RESPONSE TO CALLS
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.
313.2.1 EMERGENCY FIELD RESPONSE
(a)Emergency responses are allowed where the following conditions exist:
1.Situations involving an actual or probable danger of bodily harm or loss of life
to any individual.
2.Immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law.
3.While engaged in rescue operations.
(b)Notification - Unless assigned by Communications, supervisory or command
personnel, any officer who determines it necessary to respond "Code 3" shall advise
Communications as soon as practical.
(c)Officers shall not enter an intersection controlled by a stop sign or a light that is red
without first stopping and visually clearing the intersection. This procedure is distinct
from the policies and procedures established for pursuit driving in the Lexipol Vehicle
Pursuits policy. Refer to this policy for procedures governing traversing intersections
during a pursuit.
313.2.2 INITIATING CODE 3 RESPONSE
If an officer believes a Code-3 response to any call is appropriate, the officer shall notify the
Communications Center as soon as practical. Should another officer believe a Code-3 response
is appropriate, the Communications Center shall be notified and the Watch Commander or field
supervisor will acknowledge and make a determination as to whether one or more officers driving
Code-3 is appropriate.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/05/09, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Fremont Police DepartmentOfficer Response to Calls - 1
Fremont Police Department
Officer Response to Calls
Without emergency equipment activated, personnel are cautioned they are subject to obeying
all traffic laws. § 21055 VC does not relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle from the duty to
drive with due regard for the safety to all persons using the highway, nor protect them from the
consequences of an arbitrary exercise of the privileges granted in that section.
313.2.3 URGENT AND NON URGENT FIELD RESPONSE
Field responses where use of the siren may interfere with the effective performance of the police
function, e.g., burglary, robbery in progress, prowler, gang fight, etc., should be made as promptly
as practical.
Without emergency equipment activated, personnel are cautioned they are subject to obeying
all traffic laws. §21055 VC does not relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle from the duty to
drive with due regard for the safety to all persons using the highway, nor protect him from the
consequences of an arbitrary exercise of the privileges granted in that section.
If, in the judgment of the responding officer, the distance of response, prevailing traffic conditions,
and/or the nature of the incident so warrant, the emergency lights to the front and the siren should
be activated as is reasonably necessary.
Non-urgent response shall be without emergency lights and siren, obeying all applicable rules and
regulations relating to the California Vehicle Code and departmental policies.
313.2.4 MISCELLANEOUS USE OF EMERGENCY AND/OR AMBER LIGHTS
(a)Use of rear emergency lights:
1.Officers responding to any call for service using only the vehicle's rear
emergency light does not constitute an emergency response and officers are,
therefore, bound to the same legal requirements of the California Vehicle Code
as any other motorist.
2.When a police vehicle is by necessity blocking a lane of traffic, the rear
emergency light shall be activated.
(b)When a police vehicle is by necessity parked on the wrong side of the street - e.g.,
traffic collision investigation, traffic stop - the emergency lights should be activated
unless this would jeopardize the officer's personal safety, or adversely affect an
operational situation.
(c)Use of the patrol vehicle or personal handheld spotlight: The spotlight shall be used to
illuminate the interior of a stopped vehicle for officer safety and/or searching purposes
and is not to be used as a means of "stopping" vehicles.
313.2.5 RESPONSE AND CODE DEFINITIONS
(a)Response time is regarded as an important factor in the apprehension of suspected
law violators, the protection of life and property, and in citizen satisfaction with police
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/05/09, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Fremont Police DepartmentOfficer Response to Calls - 2
Fremont Police Department
Officer Response to Calls
service. The following response models have been developed in an effort to improve
the effectiveness and efficiency of police response:
1.Priority #1 Response (5 minute response goal) - All in-progress felonies or
situations involving an actual or probable danger of bodily harm or loss of life to
any individual. One