Policy Text
Page 1 of 7 General Order 3 -7 – (07/30/2021 )
AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PROCEDURE S
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRI LLATOR
(AED) PROCEDURES
Chapter
3 Number
7 Pages
7
References: 17.5.2
VA Code §8.01 -225.A.6, 32.1-111.1 Related Orders: N/A Effective Date: 07/30/2021
By: Pd-132
Prv. Rev. Date: 11/18/2020
Chief of Police :
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to establish the proper response to sudden cardiac
death/arrest using Automated External Defibrillators (AED); to define Department policy
regarding the use, storage, and maintena nce of the AED Machines ; and to establish the
procedure for deployment of the AED machines by personnel of the Richmond Police
Department.
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
This revision comes from a modification request as it relates to the make and model of
the AEDs. C hanges can be found italicized and bold throughout the text .
III. POLICY
It is the policy of the Richmond Police Department to properly prepare all first
responders to respond appropriately and efficiently in the event of a medical emergency .
As first responders , the first responsibility of a police officer at the scene of a crime,
accident involving injuries or medical emergency, is scene safety, then to render
assistance, medical aid or otherwise. This responsibility must be performed immediately,
even if it m eans that a suspect will escape or valuable clues will be destroyed. The
preservation of human life is the most important consideration. However, if there are
other persons on the scene who are able to render medical assistance, the police officer
should arrange for them to take care of the injured parties. When sudden cardiac
death/arrest occurs, early defibrillation is often critical to the victim’s survival.
Although police officers are usually considered as the first responders to persons in need,
this policy also include s CPR and AED training and certification by the American Safety
and Health Institute (ASHI) for civilian employees who may also be involved in
situations where they are able to recognize, assess and support the most common
emergencies until help arrives.
Page 2 of 7- General Order 3-7 - (07/30/2021 )
AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS PROCEDURES
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines set forth in
this General Order. Responsibility rests with the Division Commander to ensure that any
violations of policy are inves tigated and appropriate training, counseling and/or
disciplinary action is initiated.
This directive is for internal use only, and does not enlarge an employee’s civil liability
in any way. It should not be construed as the creation of a higher standard o f safety or
case in an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party claims. Violation of this
directive, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this Department, and then
only in a non -judicial administrative setting.
V. DEFINITIONS
A. AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED) – a medical device which
combines a heart monitor and defibrillator and (i) has been approved by the United
States Food and Drug Administration, (ii) is capable of recognizing the presence or
absence of ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia, (iii) is capable of
determining, without intervention by an operator, whether defibrillation should be
performed, and (iv) automatically charges and requests delivery of an electrical
impulse to an individual's heart, upo n determining that defibrillation should be
performed. (VA Code § 32.1-111.1)
B. SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH/ARREST – Sudden cardiac death (also called
sudden arrest) is death resulting from an abrupt loss of heart function (cardiac
arrest). The victim may or may no t have diagnosed heart disease. The time and
mode of death are unexpected . It occurs within minutes after symptoms appear.
The most common underlying reason for patients to die suddenly from cardiac
arrest is coronary heart disease (fatty buildups in the arteries that supply blood to
the heart muscle).
VI. PROCEDURE
A. General Information:
1. The Richmond Police Department will use the Medtronic Lifepak 1000 , On-
Site Defibrillator machine s.
Page 3 of 7- General Order 3-7 - (07/30/2021 )
AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS PROCEDURES 2. The AED machines can be found in the following locations:
Building AED L ocation
Police Headquarters Info Desk
Police Headquarters 3rd Floor Lobby
Police Headquarters SID/Basement - Break room
Police Headquarters 5th Floor near freight elevator
1st Precinct Breakroom
2nd Precinct Main h allway , across from the Sergeant ’s
Office
3rd Precinct Main h allway , Outside of the DPR office
3rd Precinct 2nd Floor , Gym
4th Precinct Main h allway, Across from the DPR office
Police Training Academy