Policy Text
Policy
328Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/06/23, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentSignificant Event Notification - 1Significant Event Notification
328.1 SIGNIFICANT EVENT NOTIFICATION DISCLAIMER
The contents of Significant Event communications are confidential and contain highly sensitive
law enforcement investigative information gathered, recorded and compiled by the Santa Ana
Police Department for law enforcement and official purposes. Law enforcement purposes as used
herein means the investigation, apprehension and potential prosecution of those suspected of
committing crime. Official purposes as used herein means the administration of City government.
Significant Event communications, and their contents, are the property of the City of Santa
Ana and the Santa Ana Police Department. While the investigations referenced within these
communications are ongoing and pending, the contents of these communications are exempt from
disclosure under the California Public Records Act, including but not limited to, Government Code
Sections 6254(f) and 6255.
RECIPIENTS OF THESE COMMUNICATIONS SHALL NOT RELEASE, FORWARD,
DISTRIBUTE, DISSEMINATE, COPY, USE, MODIFY OR OTHERWISE PROVIDE THE
CONTENTS OF THESE COMMUNICATIONS IN ELECTRONIC OR RECORDED FORM TO
ANYONE WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS AUTHORIZATION OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
328.2 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to members of this department in determining
when, how and to whom notification of significant events should be made.
328.3 POLICY
The Santa Ana Police Department recognizes that certain incidents shall be brought to the
attention of supervisors or other specified personnel of this department to facilitate the coordination
of activities and ensure inquiries from the media and the public may be properly addressed.
328.4 MINIMUM CRITERIA FOR NOTIFICATION
Most situations where the media show a strong interest are also of interest to the Chief of Police
and the affected Bureau Commander. The majority of these events can be communicated via a
Significant Event email. The following list of incident types is provided as a guide for notification via
a Significant Event email and is not intended to be all inclusive. Items 1-6 require both a Significant
Event and telephone notification to the Chief of Police and affected Bureau Commander(s):
1.Officer involved shootings (on or off duty) (see Officer-Involved Shootings and Deaths
Policy for special notifications)
2.Significant injury or death to employee - on or off duty
3.Death of a prominent Santa Ana official
4.In-custody deaths
5.Homicides
Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Policy Manual
Significant Event Notification
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/06/23, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentSignificant Event Notification - 26.Contact with a City of Santa Ana Elected Official in connection with investigative or
enforcement-related activity or activities
(a)As used in this section, a "City of Santa Ana Elected Official" includes the current
Mayor or any current City Council Member
7.Traffic collisions with serious injuries or fatalities
8.Attempted homicides
9.Aggravated assaults
10.Robberies
11.Incidents involving the seizure of firearms
12.Carjackings
13.Civil protests
14.Rape
15.Kidnappings
16.Child abuse
17.Any noteworthy incident involving children 12 years old or younger
18.Any theft or burglary with a loss in excess of $25,000
19.Series of crimes or crime sprees
20.Any other situations where the media may have an interest
328.5 WATCH COMMANDER RESPONSIBILITY
The Watch Commander is responsible for making the appropriate notifications. The Watch
Commander shall make reasonable attempts to obtain as much information on the incident as
possible before notification. The Watch Commander shall attempt to make the notifications as
soon as practicable and shall continue notification attempts until contact is made.
328.5.1 DETECTIVE NOTIFICATION
If the incident requires that a detective respond from home, the immediate supervisor of the
appropriate detail shall be contacted who will then contact the appropriate detective.
328.5.2 TRAFFIC BUREAU NOTIFICATION
In the event of a traffic fatality or major injury, the Traffic Sergeant shall be notified who will
then contact the appropriate accident investigator. The Traffic Sergeant will notify the Traffic
Commander.
328.5.3 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER (PIO)
The Public Information Officer shall be called after members of staff have been notified if it appears
the media may have a significant interest in the incident.
Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Policy Manual
Significant Event Notification
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/06/23, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentSignificant Event Notification - 3328.6 FORWARDING OF SIGNIFICANT EVENT NOTIFICATIONS
When a member receives a Significant Event Notification email, he/she shall not forward the email
without the prior express authorization of the Chief of Police.