Policy Text
Procedure
330Garden Grove Police Department
Procedures Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/06/27, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentDeath Investigation Procedures - 1Death Investigation Procedures
330.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This procedure will establish a consistent method for notification of next of kin in cases involving
seriously injured, ill or deceased persons.
330.2 NOTIFICATION OF DECEASED OR SERIOUSLY ILL/INJURED PERSONS
Deceased Persons
Notification of the next-of-kin in situations of death should be handled by a representative of the
Orange County Coroner's Office.
The Coroner's Office has, over the years, established a system of notification, which encompasses
all of the necessary requirements of the law, as well as, being able to provide other necessary
information that might be requested.
Seriously Injured or Ill Persons
Notification or contact with next of kin in situations involving hospitalized persons should be
handled by a representative of the hospital administering aid to the injured or ill person.
Most hospitals within the county currently have staff positions (social worker or chaplain) who
handle notifications to next of kin.
Special Requests
Should any outside agency specifically request assistance from this department to "deliver
an emergency message," sufficient information should be obtained to answer those obvious
questions, which might be asked by the next of kin.
In cases of death where notification is requested from an outside agency, it is recommended, that
if possible, the request be referred to the Coroner.
330.3 NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
Department employees may deliver emergency messages or make death or injury/illness
notifications when other reasonable efforts from other agencies or persons have been exhausted.
In all notifications, these guidelines should be followed:
(a)Obtain as much information from the requesting party as may be necessary to answer
questions that may be asked by the person being notified.
(b)Obtain the name and telephone number of the person that the party being notified
should contact for additional information.
(c)In appropriate situations, officers should offer the services of the Garden Grove Police
Department Interfaith Volunteer and Chaplain Program.
(d)Attempt to contact a third party who may act as a support to the person being notified.
(e)Answer only those questions that can be answered with facts.
Garden Grove Police Department
Procedures Manual
Death Investigation Procedures
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/06/27, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentDeath Investigation Procedures - 2(f)The notification shall be made in person if possible.