Policy Text
Procedure
409Garden Grove Police Department
Procedures Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/06/27, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentCrisis Intervention Incident Procedures - 1Crisis Intervention Incident Procedures
409.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This procedure will establish guidelines for the handling of persons listed under the provision of
5150 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
409.2 INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
When responding to a call that involves a person who is mentally ill, officers should obtain as much
information as possible to assess and stabilize the scene. Information such as dispatch history
and recent calls for service may be helpful.
409.3 TACTICAL COMMUNICATION
As with all calls-for-service, safety is always a top priority. Tactical communication techniques
are designed to de-escalate potentially violent situations. Intervention techniques vary depending
upon the level of danger. In a low-risk situation, an officer has time to process the scene, assess the
situation, and respond accordingly. In a high-risk incident, when the threat of danger is immediate,
there is little time to process information and officers are expected to make split-second decisions
to control the situation.
Tactical communication techniques that may be used while completing calls for service, or while
conducting interviews, include:
(a)Tone – It's not only what you say, but also how you say it.
1.Present a calm and firm demeanor
2.Maintain respect and dignity
(b)Atmosphere – Reduce distractions/evaluate distance
1.Common distractions
(a)Upsetting influences
(b)Disruptive people
(c)Shouting by others on the scene
(d)Radios
(e)Sirens
(f)Bright colors and flashing lights
2.Respect personal space
(c)Communication – It's better to spend 15 minutes talking than 5 minutes fighting.
1.Establish contact
2.Develop rapport
(d)Time – Time is on your side.
Garden Grove Police Department
Procedures Manual
Crisis Intervention Incident Procedures
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/06/27, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentCrisis Intervention Incident Procedures - 21.Slow down
2.Reassess
If the individual is violent as a result of a mental illness, it may be necessary to employ a use of
force option to take the person into protective custody pursuant to 5150 WIC.
409.4 PROCEDURES
Depending on the observations of the individual, the options listed below will be used for handling
adult subjects who are not injured, not suspected of alcohol and/or drug intoxication, and do not
have other medical problems.
Option #1: Contact the in-house Mental Health Clinician and have them respond if he/she is on
duty. The clinician works a flexible schedule and is generally at our facility five days a week. If the
Clinician is not available, go to option #2.
Option #2: Contact a Centralized Assessment Team (CAT) and have them respond to the scene.
The Countywide CAT phone number is 1-866-830-6011. CAT should be used when clinical
intervention may lead to a hospital diversion. CAT's preferred response is to the scene. However,
the officer must remain at the scene until it is determined the officer's presence is no longer
necessary, and that it is safe for CAT personnel to leave, with or without the subject.
CAT personnel may not go into a medical facility, however, they may enter an emergency room
in both designated and non-designated facilities. CAT personnel will not physically handle a
combative subject and rely on law enforcement for this.
It is preferred that the CAT team responds to assist the officer in the field. If CAT is unavailable,
call the clinic and they will accommodate the officer by locating a clinician to respond to the field
or they will have the officer bring the patient to the clinic. If the patient is determined to be 5150
the clinic will assist with arranging transportation if needed.
A County Mental Health clinic is located at 2035 E. Ball Road Suite # 200, telephone number
714-517-6300. The operating hours are Monday – Thursday 0800-1900 and Friday 0800-1700.
Option #3: Another option is to bring the subject to one of the six OC/HCA clinics throughout the
County. This is a separate service from the CAT teams.
Option #4: If CAT is unavailable due to closure, contact Emergency Treatment Services (ETS),
which is a part of the Orange County Health Care Agency. They are located at 1030 West Warner
Avenue, Santa Ana. Their phone number is 714-834-6913/6900.ETS is not licensed or capable
of housing patients for 72 hours, and they are not a medical facility. The facility is open 24
hours a day seven days a week. They accept adult mental health patients absent any apparent
medical or intoxicated condition(s). The officer shall call ETS prior to any transport and explain
the circumstances. ETS will determine if the patient needs to go to a designated medical facility
or directly to ETS.
Garden Grove Police Department
Procedures Manual
Crisis Intervention Incident Procedures
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/06/27, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentCrisis Intervention Incident Procedures - 3If ETS refuses to accept the person due to a medical condition follow the listed steps: Conduct
an independent assessment to determine if emergency medical personnel should be summoned
to the location. This assessment should include consideration of information received from ETS