Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POL ICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 533.01
Page 1 of 2
533.01
ELDER AND DEPENDENT ADULT ABUSE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
5-18-18
PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for reporting cases involving elder and
dependent adult abuse to Adult Protective Services.
POLICY
It shall be the policy o f the Sacramento Police Department to investigate, document, and report all
incidents of elder and dependent adult abuse per Welfare and Institutions (W & I) Section 15630 -
15633.
PROCEDURE
A. DEFINITIONS
1. ABUSE – Physical , sexual, emotional or psychological abuse; abandonment, abduction ,
isolation , neglect, financial exploitation , intimidation, cruel punishment, fiduciary abuse, or any
other treatment resulting in physical harm or pain or mental suffering ; or the deprivation by a
care custodian of goods and s ervices that are necessary to avoid physical harm or mental
suffering.
2. CARETAKER – Any person who has the care, custody, or control of, or who stands in a position
of trust with, an elder or dependent adult.
3. DEPENDENT ADULT – Any person between the ages of 18 and 64 who has physical or mental
limitations that restrict his or her ability to carry out normal activities or to protect his or her
rights, including, but not limited to , persons who have physical or developmental disabilities or
whose physical or m ental abilities have diminished because of age.
4. ELDER – Any person age 65 or older.
B. MANDATORY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. W & I Code Section 15630 – 15633 requires that mandated reporters within the scope of their
employment , including local law enforcement age ncies, adult care custodians, health
practitioners, clergy member , and employees of a county adult protective services agency
report cases of known or suspected abuse immediately or as soon as possible by telep hone or
through a confidential i nternet report ing tool, established and authorized by Section 15658 W &
I.
2. If known or suspected abuse is reported by telephone, a Report of Suspected Dependent
Adult/Elder Abuse (Soc . 341) shall be sent within two working days to Adult Protective Services
(APS) or to a local law enforcement agency. Failure to report any physical abuse is a
misdemeanor.
C. KNOWLEDGE OF ABUSE
1. Employees receiving information on a suspected case of adult or elder abuse or observing
physical injuries that clearly indicate abuse shall notify APS and complete a Report of
Suspec ted Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse (Soc . 341) as soon as possible. NOTE: In cases of
known or suspected abuse not involving physical abuse, an offense or incident report shall be
prepared.
2. When investigation indicates that abu se of an elder or dependent adult has occurred, an offense
or incident report shall be completed.
a. Reports shall be classified by the appropriate penal code section for the crime committed.
b. If no other penal code section is applicable, Penal Code Section 368, Abuse of Elder or
SACRAMENTO POL ICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 533.01
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Dependent Adult, shall be used.
D. OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS (OOI)
1. Investigators receiving reports of the abuse of el derly or dependent adults shall
a. Confirm mandated notification reports were completed and if not, complete reports as
necessary.
b. Ensure that both oral and written report is made to the appropriate social agency.
2. If the abuse occurred in a long -term care fac ility, mental health hospital, s tate development
center, etc., the OOI sergeant or designee shall make notification to the long -term care
ombudsman .
3. A copy of written reports and the completed State of California Form 341 (Soc . 341) shall be
forwarded to APS if requested via the liaison assigned to the Department. A copy of the S oc.
341 shall be sent to Records to be filed with the original report.
4. The OOI Office Chief or designee shall be the Department Liaison Officer on all matters
involving elder and dependent adult abuse.
5. This order shall assure compliance with the mandatory reporting law.