Policy Text
Page 1 of 6 General Order 07 -33 (08/17/2022 )
NALOXON E (NAR CAN)
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: NALOXONE (NARCAN ® ) Chapter
7 Number
33 Pages
6
References:
CALEA Standards: Related Orders: Effective Date: 08/17/2022
Revised By: Review
Prv. Rev. 09/26/2019
Chief of Police:
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to establish the guidelines governing the
administration of intranasal Naloxone (Narcan) by certified officers. The objective
is to reduce fatalities from opiate overdoses.
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
This policy is due for triannual review, and revisions have been made . The equipment
used for naloxone (NARCAN) has been updated. A Naloxone Coordinator has been
added. T he procedures for responding to a possible opiate overdose, and when and how
you may use the product are listed . All new language is bold and italicized throughout
the document.
III. POLICY
It is the policy of the Rich mond Police Depart ment to prepare all first responders
to respond appropriately and efficiently in the event of a medical emerge ncy. As
first responders, the first respo nsibility of a police officer at the scene of a crime,
accide nt involving injuries or medical emergency, is scene safety, then to render
assistance, medical aid or otherwise. This responsibility must be perfor med
immediately, even if it means that a suspect will escape or valuable clues will be
destroyed. The preser vation of human life is the most important considerati on.
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.
The Richmond Police Depart ment understands the substance abuse issues within
the community and strives to implement practices that can increase community
aware ness of substance abuse issues and decrea se injury or death resulting from
such issues. Naloxone (Narcan) may be used when responding to a call of such
nature.
Page 2 of 6 General Order 07 -33 (08/17/2022 )
NALOXON E (NAR CAN)
It is the policy of the Rich mond Police Depart ment that office rs will be trained in
the use of the Nasal Naloxone .
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 Com mander to ensure that any
violations of policy are inve stigated 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 of safety or case
in an evide ntiary sense, with respect to third party claims. Violation of this directive , if
proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this Depart ment, and then only in a non-
judicial ad ministrative setting.
V. DEFINITIONS
A) OFFICER – A Certi fied Law Enforcement Officer who is a sworn employee of the
Rich mond Police Depart ment
B) OPIOIDS - A class of drugs that may be derived natur ally from the poppy plant
or from synthetically produced chemicals. The most common opioids are the street
drug heroin and prescription pain medications, including morphine, codeine,
methadone, oxycodone (Percocet, OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin),
hydro morphone, buprenorphine, and fentanyl. Opioids bind to specifi c receptor s in
the brain , spinal cord, and gastrointesti nal tract that can affect a person 's mood,
blood pressure, breathing , and pain sensations.
C) OPIO IDS OVERDOS E - A serio us medical conditio n that may lead to decreased or
loss of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma, or death resul ting from
the consu mption or use of an opioid, or another substance with which an opioid
was co mbined.
D) NALOXONE - Commonly known by the brand name Narcan, naloxone is a drug that
counteracts the effects of opioid overdose. The drug restores an overdose victim 's
ability to breath, frequently allowing him or her to survive a potentially fatal
overdose.
E) NALOXONE COORD INATOR – The Naloxone Coordinator (NC) shall be an
individual designated by the Richmond Police Depart ment to collect, review and
track all