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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Officer Response to Calls - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Officer Response to Calls 308.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy provides for the safe and appropriate response to emergency and non -emergency situations whether dispatched or self -initiated. 308.2 RESPONSE TO CALLS Officers dispatched "Code -3" shall consider the call an emergency response and proceed immediately. Officers responding Code -3 shall con tinuously operate emergency lighting equipment, including at minimum a steady forward facing red light, and shall sound the siren as reasonably necessary pursuant to Vehicle Code § 21055. Responding with emergency light(s) and siren does not relieve the of ficer of the duty to continue to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons. The use of any other warning equipment without a red light and siren does not provide any exemption from the Vehicle Code. Officers should only respond Code -3 when so dis patched or when circumstances reasonably indicate an emergency response is required. Officers not authorized to respond Code -3 shall observe all traffic laws and proceed without the use of emergency lights and siren. 308.3 REQUESTING EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE Reques ts for emergency assistance should be limited to those situations where the involved personnel reasonably believe that there is an immediate threat to the safety of officers, or assistance is needed to prevent imminent serious harm to a citizen. In any event, where a situation has stabilized and emergency response is not required, the requesting officer shall immediately notify Public Safety Communications Center. If circumstances permit, the requesting officer should give the following information: • The unit number • The location • The reason for the request and type of emergency • The number of units required 308.3.1 NUMBER OF UNITS ASSIGNED Normally, only one unit should respond to an emergency call Code -3 unless the Watch Commander or the field supervisor authorizes an additional unit(s). 308.4 INITIATING CODE 3 RESPONSE If a sworn officer believes a Code -3 response to any call is appropriate, the officer shall immediately notify Public Safety Communications Center. Generally, only one unit should respond Code -3 to any situation. Should another officer believe a Code -3 response is appropriate, Public Safety Communications Center shall be notified and the Watch Commander or field supervisor Policy 308 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Officer Response to Calls - 2 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Officer Response to Calls will make a determination as to whether one or more officers driving Code -3 is appropriate. 308.5 RESPONSIBILITIES OF RESPONDING OFFICERS Officers shall exercise sound judgment and care with due regard for life and property when responding to an emergency call. Officers shall reduce speed at all street intersections to such a degree that they shall have complete control of the vehicle. The decision t o continue a Code -3 response is at the discretion of the officer. If, in the officer's judgment, the roadway conditions or traffic congestion does not permit such a response without unreasonable risk, the officer may elect to respond to the call without th e use of red lights and siren at the legal speed limit. In such an event, the officer should immediately notify Public Safety Communications Center. A sworn officer shall also discontinue the Code -3 response when directed by a supervisor. Upon receiving au thorization or determining a Code -3 response is appropriate, a sworn officer shall immediately give the location from which he/she is responding. 308.6 COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES A dispatcher shall assign a Code -3 response when a sworn officer requests emergency assistance or available information reasonably indicates that the public is threatened with serious injury or death and immediate police response is needed. In all other circumstances, the dispatcher shall obtain authorization from the Watch Comm ander or a field supervisor prior to assigning units Code -3 . The dispatcher shall: (a) Attempt to assign the closest available unit to the location requiring assistance (b) Immediately notify the Watch Commander (c) Confirm the location from which the unit is respon ding (d) Notify and coordinate allied emergency services (e.g., fire, ambulance, and air support) (e) Continue to obtain and broadcast information as necessary concerning the response and monitor the situation until it is stabilized or terminated (f) Control all radio communications during the emergency and coordinate assistance under the direction of the Watch Commander or field supervisor 308.7 SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Upon being notified that a Code -3 response has been initiated, the Watch Commander or the field supe rvisor shall verify the following: (a) The proper response has been initiated (b) No more than those units reasonably necessary under the circumstances are involved in the response (c) Affected outside jurisdictions are being notified as practical Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Officer Response to Calls - 3 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Officer Response to Calls The field supervisor shall monitor the