Policy Text
Ref: CALEA Standards
22.2.5; 22.2.6; 55.2.6;
61.3.3 DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL ORDER B-10 Rev.
27 Oct 00
Index as: Funeral Procedures Deceased Personnel, Funeral Procedures for
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FUNERAL PROCEDURES
The purpose of this order is to set forth procedures for the official participation of the Department in funeral services for members, employees, reserve officers, and members of other law enforcement agencies. Pertinent provisions of Departmental Training Bulletin V-I, Line-of-Duty Death (20 Dec 95) are incorporated herein and contains specific steps to be followed, identifies personnel required, and provides a checklist to be utilized. I. FUNERALS FOR ACTIVE MEMBERS, RESERVE OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES WHO ARE KILLED ON DUTY (LINE-OF-DUTY DEATH)
A. Flag Whenever a member, reserve officer, or employee is killed on duty, the Bureau of Field Operations (BFO) Watch Commander shall notify the City Manager’s Office and request approval to lower the City flag outside the Police Administration Building (PAB) to half staff each day until the day of the funeral. If approval is granted, a Building Maintenance supervisor will instruct the custodial foreman at the PAB to lower the flag. If the death occurs during a weekend or at another time when the City Manager’s Office is closed, the BFO commander shall request that the flag be lowered at the start of the next business day.
B. Departmental Participation in Services If a member of the family of the deceased, or someone acting on behalf of the family approves, the Department shall participate officially in the funeral services as provided for in Sequence 3 of Departmental Training Bulletin (T.B.) V-I, Line-of-Duty Death.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER B-10 Rev.
27 Oct 00 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
If the services and burial take place within the Bay Area, the
Department shall provide, as requested:
1. An honor guard.
2. Pallbearers.
3. Motorcycle escort.
4. Any and all other services as articulated in T.B. V-I.
5. Any other appropriate services with the approval of the Chief of Police
C. Responsibilities of the Departmental Liaison Officer, who shall normally be a Patrol Division Commander appointed by the Chief of Police:
1. Directs the Unit Commander of the deceased to form the Notification Team.
2. Ensures all Departmental responsibilities are fulfilled and performs duties in accordance with the pertinent provisions of Sequences 1 through 5 of T.B. V-I.
3. Coordinates Departmental resources and staff to meet the needs of the deceased officer’s family.
4. Directs the funeral arrangements.
5. Directs Departmental personnel (and personnel of visiting law enforcement agencies) at the funeral.
D. Responsibilities of the Unit Commander of the Deceased
1. Directs the notification of next of kin, as provided for in T.B.
V-I.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER B-10 Rev.
27 Oct 00 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
2. Forwards all pertinent information to the BFO Deputy Chief,
including: a. Date of death.
b. Whether the family wishes the Department to participate in the services.
c. Name and address of funeral home.
d. Date, time, location, and type of funeral service.
e. Name and address of cemetery.
f. Name, address, and telephone number of next of kin.
3. May recommend members to serve in the motorcycle escort and act as pallbearers, as appropriate.
E. Responsibilities of the Family Liaison Officer As appointed by the Chief of Police, or as indicated on the Emergency Information Record (TF-1001)*, the Family Liaison Officer assists the family to fulfill its immediate needs and functions and as a liaison to communicate the family’s needs to the Department throughout the period following the officer’s death.
* Oakland Police Officer’s Association (OPOA) members may
make their needs known by voluntary completion of the OPOA Emergency Notification and Personal Request Packet.
F. Honor Guard
1. The Honor Guard Detail shall be composed of up to 10 members and a Sergeant of Police who shall be the Detail Leader.
2. The Detail Leader’s responsibilities are to:
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER B-10 Rev.
27 Oct 00 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
a. Confer with the Departmental Liaison Officer
regarding the time of arrival at the services, seating arrangements, and other pertinent details.
b. Designate the assembly point near the location of the services to inspect the members of the Honor Guard on the day of the funeral and brief them on the proper procedures.
c. Command the Honor Guard and pallbearers and direct
their movements and gestures of respect.
3. Honor guard members shall wear the uniform prescribed in
Departmental General Order B-21, HONOR GUARD.
G. Pallbearers
1. Six pallbearers shall be designated by the Unit Commander if requested by the family of the deceased.
2. Pallbearers shall wear the full dress uniform including white gloves and pistols; however, items which make noise or protrude visibly from pockets, including: keys, whistles, batons, OC holders, pens, pencils, notebooks, and flashlights, shall not be worn.
3. In the event the deceased was an employee, the pallbearers shall be either members or employees and shall wear appropriate civilian clothing.
4. Pallbearers shall be under the direction of the Honor Guard Detail Leader and shall report to