Policy Text
Policy
432Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/05, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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 Communications Division 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 Communications Division 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.
Members should not direct EMS personnel whether to transport the person for treatment.
Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Policy Manual
Medical Aid and Response
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/05, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentMedical Aid and Response - 2432.4 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.
432.6 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 Restraints, Control Devices and Techniques, and Conducted
Energy Device policies.
432.7 AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED) USE
A member may use an AED only after receiving appropriate training from an approved public
safety first aid and CPR course (22 CCR 100026.01; 22 CCR 100027.01; 22 CCR 100027.02).
432.7.1 AED USER RESPONSIBILITY
Members who are issued AEDs should check the AED at the beginning of the shift to ensure
it is properly charged and functioning. Any AED that is not functioning properly shall be taken
Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Policy Manual
Medical Aid and Response
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/05, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentMedical Aid and Response - 3out of service and given to the Training Commander who is responsible for ensuring appropriate
maintenance.
Following use of an AED, the device shall be cleaned and/or decontaminated as required. The
electrodes and/or pads will be replaced as recommended by the AED manufacturer.
Any member who uses an AED