Policy Text
Field Services Page 1 of 8 7/04 (REV 5/18)
OPERATIONS ORDER
Rape/ Sexual Assaults
The purpose of this order is to e stablish a uniform procedure f or the handling of
rape/sexual assault cases. Investigations of sexual assaul ts are conducted by the Sexual a nd Elder Abuse Bureau
(SEAB). I. Arrival at Dispatched Location
A. The SEAB supervisor, or designe e, shall be contacted via tel ephone if any
of the following are di scovered during patrol’ s investigatory p rocess:
1. Stranger rape
2. Burglary/Sexual assault 3. Robbery/Sexual assault 4. Violent sexual assault (use o f ties, bindings, indications o f torture)
5. Possible series 6. In-custody suspect for any sexual assault 7. Sexual assaults in SSD correctional facilities
8. Sexual assaults with pot ential media interest
9. Sexual assault victim with seri ous injuries/hospitalization.
a. Information regarding SEAB Su pervisor contact information,
detective phone numbers and em ails can be found on SSD
Web
B. Assess the condition of the vi ctim and determine whether imm ediate
medical aid is required. If vic tim is transported by ambulance , if possible,
an officer should follow and/or a ccompany the victim and obtain a
statement.
C. Determine if a crime scene ex ists and if so, it’s location. Take appropriate
Field Services Page 2 of 8 7/04 (REV 5/18) steps to protect and secure the scene (to include possible vehi cles) to
prevent contamination of evidence.
D. If appropriate, broadcast suspect description, use of weapon , description
of vehicle, direction of travel and additional information if p ertinent over the
radio.
1. Officers should refrain from adding otherwise sensitive and/ or
confidential information/remar ks into the CAD event. CAD event s
are subject to public disclosure.
E. Identify and separ ate witnesses.
F. Request C.S.I. The officer with the most knowledge of the f acts is
responsible for relaying the info rmation to both C.S.I. and det ectives (if
responding). The lead officer shou ld discuss with C.S.I. what evidence
and potential sources of evidenc e need to be collected, photogr aphed, or
fingerprinted. If a detective i s responding to the scene, have C.S.I. wait to
process the scene until the detective arrives.
G. Advise and update the field s upervisor of the details and ci rcumstances
pertaining to the call.
II. Evidence
Depending upon the facts of the call, the patrol deputy, C.S.I. and the BEAR
Center may all be responsible fo r booking physical evidence.
A. Patrol- Evidence Responsibilities
1. Collect and properly book evi dence that is not collected by C.S.I. or
BEAR Center personnel. a. If there is a question about how to properly collect an item of
evidence, contact C.S.I. for direction.
2. C.S.I. shall be notified to colle ct “wet” evidence (used con doms,
bodily fluids, etc). This will he lp to prevent potential loss of
evidence and ensure it s preservation.
3. Evidentiary Examination: SSD contracts with the BEAR Center
(Bridging Evidence Assessment and Resources Center) to conduct
evidentiary examinations upon vi ctims and juvenile suspects.
a. BEAR Center: 1625 Stockton Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95816
b. Evidentiary examinations on adult suspects are to be done
at the Main Jail, by the on-duty phlebotomist, in the
Field Services Page 3 of 8 7/04 (REV 5/18) booking/intake medical office.
4. Only the SEAB supervisor , or designee, shall make the
determination to approve of an ev identiary exam or not. Upon
receiving approval for an evident iary exam, patrol is responsib le for
contacting the BEAR Center to a dvise staff of an incoming
evidentiary examination. Cont act the BEAR Center, 24 hours a
day, via pager (916-523-2327). BEAR Center employees will call
patrol, in response to the page , and request preliminary inform ation
regarding the victim, synopsis of c ircumstances (crime, sexual acts,
etc.) as well as the report num ber and an estimated time of arr ival.
5. Upon arrival to the BEAR Center, patrol is responsible for
authorizing the medical forms (OC JP 923) to initiate the eviden tiary
examination. The forms require t he victim’s name, date of birt h,
report number and officer’ s name and badge number.
6. VAWA Examination: If an ev identiary examination is not
authorized, victims have t he right to schedule a VAWA
examination. A VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) examination
is an abbreviated evidentiary e xamination performed at the BEAR
Center.
a. It is the responsibility o f the victim to schedule a VAWA
examination.
b. VAWA examinations c an be scheduled during normal
business hours (9am through 5pm), Monday through Friday
by calling (916) 262-9107 .
B. C.S.I.-