GGPDE_347_-_Special_Notifications_and_Release__2743611

Policy 347Garden Grove Police Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Garden Grove Police DepartmentSpecial Notifications and Release of Information - 1Special Notifications and Release of Information 347.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures for notification of the various government agencies, public utilities, and the news media in the event of emergencies, unattended deaths, major traffic problems, etc. 347.2 ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF/CORONER Anytime officers are called on to investigate any criminally caused, suspicious, traffic or unattended death (not in the presence of a medical doctor or medical care facility), the Orange County Coroner's Office will be notified. The investigating officer will coordinate custody, care and control of the body (or bodies) with the Coroner's office, and the deceased's family if present. Notification of next of kin will generally be the responsibility of the Coroner's office as per the Death Investigation Policy. The names of deceased persons shall not be released to the news media until the next of kin of the deceased has been notified. 347.3 GARDEN GROVE PUBLIC WORKS The on-scene field supervisor or any officer should request Communications to call the Public Works Street Department in the event of any of the following. After hours notification (1700-0800 hours) will follow the on-call Public Services list maintained in the Communications Center: (a)Roadway flooding that creates a hazardous condition (b)Roadway damage that is serious enough to cause imminent danger to motorists or pedestrians if not immediately repaired (c)Damage to or the absence of important regulatory street signs such as stop or yield signs maintained by the city (d)Damage and/or malfunction of traffic control devices which are maintained by the city, and which cannot otherwise be rendered operational (e)Roadway spills of a non-hazardous nature which cannot otherwise be cleared (f)Any other hazardous or potentially hazardous roadway condition which would require the closure of city streets and necessitate the placing of street barricades Media advisories concerning accidents, road blockages or other situations which might significantly affect traffic flows on city streets or state highways should be directed to Orange County Control I for a sig-alert bulletin. Control I will notify other police agencies and the news media. Any officer who observes a hazardous street condition that exists in this or any other jurisdiction has the responsibility of notifying the police agency with jurisdiction, and taking any other measures within reason which will assist in rendering the condition safe. Garden Grove Police Department Policy Manual Special Notifications and Release of Information Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Garden Grove Police DepartmentSpecial Notifications and Release of Information - 2347.4 GARDEN GROVE TRAFFIC ENGINEER A field supervisor should notify the city's Traffic Engineer anytime there is a major injury or fatal traffic accident when the city may be exposed to undue liability. 347.5 ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY (OCFA) Any supervisor or officer may request the assistance of OCFA when dealing with flammable material, or to stand by on a situation. The supervisor or officer shall request OCFA in any situation involving any kind of hazardous materials spill. The on-scene supervisor should then work with the Fire Captain in any evacuation, traffic control and other safety efforts. OCFA will notify the appropriate hazardous material team and/or a private clean-up agency. 347.6 PUBLIC UTILITIES When information concerning the failure or damage of public utilities is known, Communications will contact the affected utility service and make them aware of the problem. Officers will attempt to render safe any situation involving a public utility which poses a hazard to members of the community. 347.7 NEWS MEDIA The Garden Grove Police Department shall provide information to the news media in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Refer to the Media Relations Policy.