Policy Text
Court Security Division P age 1 of 6 4/03 (REV 6/11)
Holding Area: Inmate Death or Serious Injury
The purpose of this Operations Or der is to provide specific req uirements to follow in the
event of a death or serious inj ury to an in-custody defendant d etained in the Gordon D.
Schaber Courthouse facility, the Lor enzo E. Patino Hall of Just ice (Main Jail), the
William R. Ridgeway Family Relat ions Courthouse, the B.T. Colli ns Juvenile
Courthouse, and the Carol Miller Justice Center.
I. Policy
Any death or serious injury t hat occurs in a government facilit y will naturally draw the
interest of the media and t he public. When the person involved is an in-custody
defendant there will be a heightened inquiry by the community a nd outside agencies.
Sheriff’s personnel will comple te a thorough investigation and report that complies with
the guidelines established by Sta te law and Departmental proced ures.
II. Authority for Investigating
A. All deaths occurring in a local detention facility shall be investigated by the
local District Attorney and Coroner.
1. Penal Code §5021
B. In any case in which a death occurs in a jail or court holdi ng facility, the
governing agency shall provide a copy of the report to the Boar d of
Corrections within ten cal endar days after the death.
1. California Code of Regulatio ns (CCR), Title 15, Division 1, Chapter
1, Subchapter 4, Minimum (Jail) Standards for Local Detention
Facilities, Article 4, Section 1046.
C. In any case in which a pers on dies while in the custody of a ny law
enforcement agency or while in cu stody in a local correctional facility, the
agency shall submit a complete report of facts to the Californi a Attorney
General within ten da ys after the death.
1. Government Code §12525
D. Allegations regardi ng the deprivation of constitutional righ ts to any citizen
in which death or bodily injury results shall be investigated b y the US
Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court Security Division P age 2 of 6 4/03 (REV 6/11) 1. Title 18, United States Code §242
III. First Responding Officers
A. Notify Court Control of the medical emergen cy including:
1. Location of the incident 2. Nature of the medical emergency
a. Self-inflicted (suicide) b. Heart attack c. Seizure d. Unknown (“man down”)
3. A brief description of the per son having the medical emergen cy.
a. Sex b. Age c. Any known medical problems
B. Request additional assistance
1. Personnel
a. Officers b. Fire/Medical Response
2. Equipment
a. First Aid Kit b. Automatic Externa l Defibrillator (AED)
C. Secure the sc ene before entering
1. Officer safety rules apply
a. Do not enter a holding cell by yourself b. Lock down the holding area
(1) Remove other in-custody defendants from the cell
(2) Postpone routine move ments of in-custody
defendants.
Court Security Division P age 3 of 6 4/03 (REV 6/11) D. Administer the appropriate First Aid
1. While providing aid, avoid dis turbing evidence of a potentia l crime
scene.
E. Protect the scene even if the in-custody defendant is remove d and
transported to a medical facility.
1. Identify and separ ate all witnesses and/or suspects.
2. Do not question or advise susp ects of their Miranda rights a t this
time.
IV. Court Control Responsibilities
A. Activate the cameras in the location of the incident.
B. Request additional officers r espond to the emergency locatio n.
C. Contact Fire Dispatch for their response.
1. Call (916) 228-3035 2. Advise the dispatcher wha t facility entrance rescue personne l
should use.
D. Notify the facility supervi sor of the emergency incident.
E. Notify the entry screening o fficers that Fire/Medical person nel will be
responding.
F. Make notes of critical time s, requests made, and actions tak en during the
incident.
G. Assist the facility Sergeant i n making the necessary notific ations:
1. For investigative assistance. 2. Chain of Command
V. Supervisor’s Responsibilities
A. Upon arrival at the scene, the Sergeant shall take command o f the scene
and coordinate operations.
1. Ensure officer safety is not jeopardized.
2. Confirm Fire/Medical assistance is responding.
3. Maintain the security o f the potential crime scene.
Court Security Division P age 4 of 6 4/03 (REV 6/11) 4. Assign officers to conduct int erviews and record observation s.
5. Begin notification procedures
a. Advise the on-duty Communica tions Center Sergeant (S-1)
that the incident involves the deat h or serious injury of an in -
custody defendant.
(1) S-1 will follow the direct ives outlined in General Order
7/04, Section VI, subsections C or D, and shall notify:
(a) Homicide Detail su pervisor (if a death has
occurred)
(b) Media Information Officer (c) Internal Affai rs (if applicable)
(d) Crime