Policy Text
Policy
432San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/01, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentMedical Aid and Response - 1Medical Aid and Response
432.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy recognizes that members often encounter persons in need of medical aid and
establishes a law enforcement response to such situations.
432.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the San Luis Obispo Police Department that all officers and other designated
members be trained to provide emergency medical aid and to facilitate an emergency medical
response.
432.3 FIRST RESPONDING MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
Whenever practicable, members should take appropriate steps to provide initial medical aid (e.g.,
first aid, CPR, use of an automated external defibrillator (AED)) in accordance with their training
and current certification levels. This should be done for those in need of immediate care and only
when the member can safely do so.
Prior to initiating medical aid, the member should contact the Communications Center and request
response by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as the member deems appropriate.
Members should follow universal precautions when providing medical aid, such as wearing gloves
and avoiding contact with bodily fluids, consistent with the Communicable Diseases Policy.
Members should use a barrier or bag device to perform rescue breathing.
When requesting EMS, the member should provide the Communications Center with information
for relay to EMS personnel in order to enable an appropriate response, including:
(a)The location where EMS is needed.
(b)The nature of the incident.
(c)Any known scene hazards.
(d)Information on the person in need of EMS, such as:
1.Signs and symptoms as observed by the member.
2.Changes in apparent condition.
3.Number of patients, sex, and age, if known.
4.Whether the person is conscious, breathing, and alert, or is believed to have
consumed drugs or alcohol.
5.Whether the person is showing signs or symptoms of extreme agitation
or is engaging in violent irrational behavior accompanied by profuse
sweating, extraordinary strength beyond their physical characteristics, and
imperviousness to pain.
Members should stabilize the scene whenever practicable while awaiting the arrival of EMS.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Medical Aid and Response
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/01, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentMedical Aid and Response - 2Members should not direct EMS personnel whether to transport the person for treatment.
432.4 TRANSPORTING ILL AND INJURED PERSONS
Except in exceptional cases where alternatives are not reasonably available, members should not
transport persons who are not in custody and who are unconscious, who have serious injuries, or
who may be seriously ill. EMS personnel should be called to handle patient transportation.
For guidelines regarding transporting ill or injured persons who are in custody, see the
Transporting Persons in Custody Policy.
Members should not provide emergency escort for medical transport or civilian vehicles.
432.5 PERSONS REFUSING EMS CARE
If a person who is not in custody refuses EMS care or refuses to be transported to a medical
facility, an officer shall not force that person to receive care or be transported. However, members
may assist EMS personnel when EMS personnel determine the person lacks mental capacity to
understand the consequences of refusing medical care or to make an informed decision and the
lack of immediate medical attention may result in serious bodily injury or the death of the person.
In cases where mental illness may be a factor, the officer should consider proceeding with a 72-
hour treatment and evaluation commitment (5150 commitment) process in accordance with the
Mental Illness Commitments Policy.
If an officer believes that a person who is in custody requires EMS care and the person refuses,
he/she should encourage the person to receive medical treatment. The officer may also consider
contacting a family member to help persuade the person to agree to treatment or who may be
able to authorize treatment for the person.
If the person who is in custody still refuses, the officer will require the person to be transported
to the nearest medical facility. In such cases, the officer should consult with a supervisor prior
to the transport.
Members shall not sign refusal-for-treatment forms or forms accepting financial responsibility for
treatment.
432.5.1 SICK OR INJURED ARRESTEE
If an arrestee appears ill or injured, or claims illness or injury, he/she should be medically cleared
prior to booking. If the officer has reason to believe the arrestee is feigning injury or illness,
the officer should contact a supervisor, who will determine whether medical clearance will be
obtained prior to booking.
If the jail or detention facility refuses to accept custody of an arrestee based on medical screening,
the officer should note the name of the facility person refusing to accept custody and the reason
for refusal, and should notify a supervisor to determine the appropriate action.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Medical Aid and Response
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/01, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentMedical Aid and Response - 3Arrestees who appear to have a serious medical issue should be transported by
ambulance. Officers shall not transport an arrestee to a hospital without a supervisor’s approval.
432.6 MEDICAL ATTENTION RELATED TO USE OF FORCE
Specific guidelines for medical attention for injuries sustained from a use of force may be found in
the Use of Force, Handcuffing and