Policy Text
GO 501.6 Ill/Injured Or Physically Challenged Prisoners Page 1 of 3 Rev. 09/28/22
GENERAL ORDER
501.6 Ill/INJURED or PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PRISONERS
REVISION DATE: 09/28/2022
BY ORDER OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
SUNNY ISLES BEACH
POLICE DEPARTMENT ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/28/22
PREVIOUS REVISIONS:
RESCINDS: All previously issued directives REFERENCE : 16.02M,21.01M,21.07M,22.08M
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. PURPOSE .......................................................................................................................... 1
B. POLICY ............................................................................................................................. 1
C. DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................................. 1
D. ARRESTING INJURED PRISONERS .......................................................................... 1
E. PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PRISONERS ............................................................. 3
F. SECURITY AT THE MEDICAL CARE FACILITY ................................................... 3
A. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for prisoners who are injured, unconscious or in need of medical
attention.
B. POLICY
It is the policy of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department to comply with all federal, state, and local laws and the
policies and procedures of the Miami Dade Corrections Department, relating to prisoners who are injured,
unconscious or in need of medical attention.
C. DEFINITIONS
Medical Care Facility - an institution, place, building, or agency that furnishes, conducts, and operates health
services for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of human disease, pain, injury, deformity, or physical, mental,
and /or emotional condition.
D. ARRESTING INJURED PRISONERS
1. Determining the need for medical attention:
a. At any time, an officer or supervisor determines that a prisoner should receive medical attention Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) shall be requested to respond.
b. The Miami Dade Corrections Department (MDCD) jail facilities will not accept prisoners who appear to
be seriously injured, unconscious or in need of immediate medical attention.
Ill/INJURED or PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PRISONERS
General Order 501.6
GO 501.6 Ill/Injured Or Physically Challenged Prisoners Page 2 of 3 Rev. 09/28/22
c. When a prisoner is required to be medically cleared per MDCD policy, the officer shall transport the
prisoner to a medical facility and receive medical clearance for the prisoner prior to transporting the prisoner
to jail. Prisoners who have been medically cleared will only be accepted at the MDCD Central Booking
Facility. For clarification on a case-by-case basis, contact the on-duty supervisor of the MDCD Central
Booking Facility.
2. Emergency Medical Service (EMS) response:
a. The prisoner shall be treated by EMS personnel for immediate, emergency medical attention at the scene.
b. Once EMS makes contact with a prisoner, the arresting officer shall relinquish control of the prisoner to
EMS. However, the arresting officer shall maintain contact with the prisoner for security purposes.
c. EMS personnel make the final determination regarding patient care issues.
d. Any prisoner determined to need medical treatment but refuses to accept the treatment, shall be taken to a
medical facility by EMS.
e. No prisoner shall be forced to have medical treatment, but shall be given a choice. However, a police officer
may order a prisoner be transported to a medical care facility for an evaluation.
3. Transportation to a medical facility:
a. If EMS responds to the scene and determines the prisoner needs to be transported to a medical facility,
EMS will determine which medical facility they will transport the prisoner.
b. All prisoners transported by EMS should be restrained by handcuffs, flex cuffs, leg shackles, or medical
care facility restraints, whichever is most practicable.
c. A police officer shall, upon the request of EMS personnel, ride in the EMS vehicle when a prisoner is being
transported.
d. Prior to being transported to the medical care facility and prior to leaving the medical care facility, the
arresting officer shall search the prisoner according to Department policy, when medical needs allow.
4. Uniform Referral Form:
a. If a prisoner is transported to a medical facility, the officer shall acquire a Uniform Referral Form (medical
clearance form) from the medical facility personnel, stating that the prisoner is “CLEARED FOR JAIL.”
b. If the prisoner refuses treatment, this will be so noted on the Uniform Referral Form. Medical care facility
personnel will write “REFUSES TREATMENT” on the form. An officer may sign as a witness that the
prisoner refuses medical/EMS treatment.
c. The officer shall have a Uniform Referral Form with the Probable Cause Affidavit (PCA) when arriving at
MDCD Main Jail with the prisoner.
d. A copy of the Uniform Referral Form should be attached to the incident report.
Ill/INJURED or PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PRISONERS
General Order 501.6
GO 501.6 Ill/Injured Or Physically Challenged Prisoners Page 3 of 3 Rev. 09/28/22
E. PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PRISONERS
1. A physically challenged prisoner who requires the use of a wheel chair, crutches or prosthetic device may be
transported in a police vehicle, as long as the officer is satisfied that the transport can be accomplished safely
for both the officer and the prisoner. Prisoners who cannot be transported