Policy Text
Communications Page 1 of 4 5/03.0 (REV 04/08)
Dispatching Field Resources
The purpose of this Order is to set general guidelines for disp atching field resources to
calls for service and calls beyon d district boundaries, and pro cedures for freeing units
for assignments to follow up inve stigations and for call cancel lation.
I. Policy
It shall be the responsibility o f dispatchers, with guidance fr om Communications
watch supervisors and patrol s upervisors, to dispatch all field resources.
Dispatchers at all times shall co nsider the safety of the offic ers, exercising
discretion and judgment to ensur e adequate cover is alerted. Du e to the infinite
variables involved in many ca lls, the guidelines for the number of field resources
to be committed offer basic par ameters, not def inite rules.
II. Dispatching Field Resources/Cover
A. Guidelines for dispatching fi eld resources to events are des igned to
provide flexibility and discret ion. All priority one through pr iority four events
will be voice broadcas t in addition to computer dispatched. If the call
cannot be dispatched immediately due to a lack of resources, it will be
voice broadcast to alert units t hat calls are pending and a not ation will be
made in the body of the call.
1. One officer should be dispat ched to the scene of the followi ng types
of calls:
a. Some Priority 4 and 5 events.
(1) Attempt contact/locate/pick-up. (2) Meet the citizen. (3) Hazardous condition (non-lethal). (4) Store security with sus pect in custody (non-violent).
Communications Page 2 of 4 5/03.0 (REV 04/08) (5) Misdemeanors which have just occurred (additional
units may be assigned to check the surrounding areas).
b. Audible burglary alarm pending arrival and evaluation of the
situation by field resour ces during daylight hours.
c. Accident with injured pers on(s) pending arrival and
evaluation of incident by field resources.
d. Felonies where t here are no injuries, suspects or multiple
victims at the scene (additio nal units may be assigned to
check surrounding area).
2. Two (or more) field units s hall be dispatched to the scene o f all of
the following calls. Note : If a single officer uni t is the only available
unit, the dispatcher shall assign that unit and advise by voice that
attempts will be made to loc ate another unit for cover.
a. All in progress felonies and misdemeanors. b. All Priority 1 through Priority 3 events.
3. If there is a field-initiated crime suppression activity and the officer
involved has not been hear d from for a period of five minutes a nd
the dispatcher is unable to contac t the officer, or when other
circumstances indicate that assi stance is needed, the dispatche r
will notify the patrol supervisor and will di spatch another off icer to
check the welfare of the first officer.
III. Dispatching Units fr om Assigned Districts
A. Field resources generally s hall not be dispatched beyond the ir respective
district boundaries or area of r esponsibility to handle report calls unless
authorized by a patrol superviso r. However, if there are priori ty one
through priority three calls pending, field units may be dispatched
anywhere within the County wit hout regard to geographical locat ion.
IV. Freeing Assigned Resources
A. Field resources may be fr eed from assigned calls for various reasons,
including:
1. Cover another unit. 2. Handle a higher priority call. 3. Officer request for another field-initiated activity.
Communications Page 3 of 4 5/03.0 (REV 04/08) a. The call is to be held for the original unit unless the new
activity involves a booking or an inordinate delay.
4. The request of the field s upervisor or watch commander.
B. There is no electr onic signal within the radio car to alert the officer when
the unit is freed from a call . The announcement shall be voiced giving the
reason for this action as the di spatcher initiates the freed st atus. A voiced
message acts as an advisement also to the field supervisor and other
patrol officers that t he unit has been freed.
V. Follow Up Investigation
A. Field resources shall not be dispatched to handle follow-up (Code 6)
investigation except for specific situations.
1. The original report was handled by the officer being dispatc hed
during the course of the same s hift, or the officer is requeste d by
name. All other requests shall be referred to the proper
investigative bur eau/investigator.
2. Circumstances indicate that i mmediate follow-up is necessary and
investigative personne l are not available.
a. Physical evidence has been discovered which needs
immediate care due to its nature or environment.
(1) CSI may be dispatched as appropriate.
b. Suspect identity, location, o r location of stolen property h as
been developed and a time del ay would drastically
encumber the satisfactory disposition of the case.
VI. Call Cancellation
A. All calls for service will be assigned in accordance with Co mmunications
Division Operations Orders.
1. Dispatched calls that appear to be appropriate for report wr iters will
contain a notation of t he reason for dispatch.
2.