Policy Text
Policy
403Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentCrime and Disaster Scene Integrity - 1Crime and Disaster Scene Integrity
403.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance in handling a major crime or disaster.
403.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Garden Grove Police Department to secure crime or disaster scenes so that
evidence is preserved, and to identify and mitigate the dangers associated with a major crime or
disaster scene for the safety of the community and those required to enter or work near the scene.
403.3 SCENE RESPONSIBILITY
The first officer at the scene of a crime or major incident is generally responsible for the immediate
safety of the public and preservation of the scene. Officers shall also consider officer safety and
the safety of those persons entering or exiting the area, including those rendering medical aid to
any injured parties. Once an officer has assumed or been assigned to maintain the integrity and
security of the crime or disaster scene, the officer shall maintain the crime or disaster scene until
he/she is properly relieved by a supervisor or other designated person.
403.4 FIRST RESPONDER CONSIDERATIONS
The following list generally describes the first responder’s function at a crime or disaster scene.
This list is not intended to be all-inclusive, is not necessarily in order and may be altered according
to the demands of each situation:
(a)Broadcast emergency information, including requests for additional assistance and
resources.
(b)Provide for the general safety of those within the immediate area by mitigating,
reducing or eliminating threats or dangers.
(c)Locate or identify suspects and determine whether dangerous suspects are still within
the area.
(d)Provide first aid to injured parties if it can be done safely.
(e)Evacuate the location safely as required or appropriate.
(f)Secure the inner perimeter.
(g)Protect items of apparent evidentiary value.
(h)Secure an outer perimeter.
(i)Identify potential witnesses.
(j)Start a chronological log noting critical times and personnel allowed access.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Crime and Disaster Scene Integrity
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentCrime and Disaster Scene Integrity - 2403.5 SEARCHES
Officers arriving at crime or disaster scenes are often faced with the immediate need to search for
and render aid to victims, and to determine if suspects are present and continue to pose a threat.
Once officers are satisfied that no additional suspects are present and/or there are no injured
persons to be treated, those exigent circumstances will likely no longer exist. Officers should
thereafter secure the scene and conduct no further search until additional or alternate authority
for the search is obtained, such as consent or a search warrant.
403.5.1 CONSENT
When possible, officers should seek written consent to search from authorized individuals.
However, in the case of serious crimes or major investigations, it may be prudent to also obtain
a search warrant. Consent as an additional authorization may be sought, even in cases where a
search warrant has been granted.
403.6 EXECUTION OF HEALTH ORDERS
Any sworn member of this department is authorized to enforce all orders of the local health officer
that have been issued for the purpose of preventing the spread of any contagious, infectious or
communicable disease (Health and Safety Code § 120155).
403.7 RELATED PROCEDURES
See CRIME AND DISASTER SCENE INTEGRITY PROCEDURES in the Garden Grove PD
Procedures Manual.