Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 522.02
Page 1 of 3
522.02
MEDICAL TREATMENT
03-12-2025
PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for providing medical treatment to individua ls.
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Sacramento Police Department (SPD) to provide emergency medical treatment to
individuals under police care or control while ensuring their safety and that of others during treatment.
PROCEDURE
A. GENERAL
1. Officers and community service officers shall:
a. Be issue d a first aid kit.
b. Maintain their assigned first aid kit in good working order .
c. As soon as practical, replenish used first aid supplies from:
(1) Designated first aid supply officers.
(2) Assigned station supplies.
d. Contact their supervisor to report any deficiencies with their assigned first aid kit.
e. Receive mandated training related to emergency care every two years in accordance with
California Code of Regulations, Title 22, § 100017, which include s:
(1) First aid.
(2) Cardio pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) .
(3) Use of the A utomated External Defibrator (AED) .
(4) Blood borne pathogens.
B. EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT
1. Officers and community service officers shall provide medical aid (e.g., first aid, use of an AED, or
CPR) to individuals in need of immediate care if treatment does not jeopardize the safety of any person.
a. Aid is b ased on an employee’s level of training and current certifications .
2. When employees determine medical treatment is necessary , employees shall notify the SPD
Communications Center to request emergency medical services (EMS) response .
a. If a subject requests medical aid , employees shall request EMS. The failure of a subject to give a
reason for requesting medical aid shall not deter an employee from requesting EMS.
b. Employees shall provide the following information to the SPD Communications Center to ensure an
appropriate EMS response:
(1) Location.
(2) Nature of the incident , if apparent .
(3) Any known scene hazards.
(4) Known or apparent i nformation o f the person’s medical condition, including but not limited to :
(a) Observed s igns and symptoms.
(b) Changes in apparent condition.
(c) If known, n umber of persons , gender , and age .
(d) Level and status of conscious ness , breathing, and alert ness .
(e) Signs or symptoms of medical distress ; perceived consumption of drugs or alcohol.
3. Employees should take universal precautions when providing medical aid in accordance with General
Order 522.05 (Infectious Disease Exposures).
4. If an employee believes a person is suffering from medical distress, they should place the person into a
comfortable position (e.g., seated or supine position) and attempt to keep them calm until EMS arrives.
a. Behaviors indicative of medical distress include, but are not limited to , irrational or aggressive
behavior , incoherent speech, fear, panic, paranoia, unexplained jumping into water, public
disrobing, self -inflicted injuries , violence toward or destruction of inanimate objects, extreme pain
tolerance, continued struggle despite restraint , dilated pupils , high body temperature , profuse
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 522.02
Page 2 of 3
sweating , unexplained s hivering , inconsistent breathing patterns , seizure , unexpected physical
strength , or sudden tranquility.
b. If the person is restrained, assign a patient safety officer to monitor the person’s breathing and
consciousness continuously during and after any restraint until the arrival of medical personnel.
5. If an officer or community service officer believes a person is experiencing a medical emergency
involving:
a. An overdose of opioids, they should administer Narcan in accordance with General Order 522.06
(Administration of Nalox one [Narcan ]).
b. Cardiac arrest, they shall:
(1) When practical and safe, render first aid.
(2) Request EMS .
(3) Request or utilize an AED in accordance with General Order 522.07 (Automated External
Defibrillator [AED]).
C. MEDICAL AID RELATED TO USE OF FORCE
1. If an employee applies force to any person , they shall act in accordance with General Order 580.02 (Use
of Force).
D. TRANSPORTING ILL AND INJURED PERSONS
1. Unless no reasonable alternatives exist, e mployees should not transport individuals who are
unconscious, have serious injuries , or may be seriously ill. EMS personnel should be called to handle
patient transportation.
2. Officers sh all search any person in their custody before releasing them to EMS for transport.
3. If it is safe, o fficers should consider removing handcuffs if advantageous to medical treatment when a
person in their custody becomes unconscious or incapacitated .
4. Transportation of prisoners shall be in accordance with General Order 523.02 (Prisoner Security).
5. An officer should accompany any individual during transport in an ambulance when :
a. A security concern arises.
b. It is necessary for investigative purposes (e.g., to obtain a dying declaration).
c. Directed by a supervisor.
6. Officers should not provide emergency (code -3) escort for medical transport or civilian vehicles.
E. EMERGENCY MEDICAL AUTHORITY
1. A person with the highest -level of medical aid training and