go-63.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\n\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT General Information Procedure I Incident Scene Control Procedures Procedure III Investigative Findings Procedure XIII Notification Process and Response Guidelines Procedure II On Scene Statements by the Involved Officer Procedure VIII Preliminary Findings – Commander Responsibilities Procedure XII Public Information Plan Procedure XVIII Removal of Involved Officer from Incident Scene Procedure V Replacement Weapon/Firearm Procedure XI Responsibilities – Internal Affairs Unit Procedure XIV Responsibilities – VCU or THU Procedure VI Responsibilities – Behavioral Wellness Coordinator Procedure XVI Security/Integrity of the Incident Scene Procedure IV Support Services for the Involved Officer Procedure XIV Training Protocols Procedure XVII POLICY When an officer discharges a firearm at a person, or the response to resistance or other action by an officer results in serious injury or death to any person, members will make every reasonable effort to preserve human life, conduct a thorough investigation, and preserve the physical and emotional wellbeing of the officer directly involved. DEFINITIONS Accompanying Officer: The officer assigned to accompany an involved officer until relieved by Violent Crimes Unit or Traffic Homicide Unit detectives. AVR: Digital Audio and Video Recording System. Formal Statement: An official statement provided during a recorded interview with members of the Criminal Investigations Bureau, Operational Support Bureau, or Internal Affairs Unit. Incident Commander: The highest-ranking sworn member (typically the Watch Commander) who has assumed command at the incident scene. Incident Scene: The primary location as established by the inner perimeter boundaries, where access is limited to members and other personnel essential to the investigation of the incident. Involved Officer: The officer whose response to resistance or other action (e.g., traffic crash) results in serious injury to, or the death of, another person, and any GENERAL ORDER 63 PAGE 2 of 18 OFFICER-INVOLVED ACTION RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY/DEATH NOVEMBER 1, 2024\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT officer who discharges their firearm at a person (intentional or unintentional), regardless of injury or death. Primary Detective: The detective identified by the Violent Crimes Unit or Traffic Homicide Unit to coordinate the activities related to the investigation. Proffered Statement: A voluntary statement occurring contemporaneous to an officer-involved action resulting in serious injury or death, provided by an attorney representing an involved officer. The statement itself cannot be used against the officer, but can be used to assist the investigation, develop leads, or find evidence. Serious Injury: For the purpose of this written directive, an injury to a person which creates a substantial risk of death, causes serious permanent disfigurement, or results in permanent loss or impairment of the function of any body appendage or organ. Traffic Crash: Any unintentional crash involving a motor vehicle in transport (in motion, in readiness for motion, or on a highway), including on public or private property, that results in death, injury, or property damage. PROCEDURES I. GENERAL INFORMATION A. The protocols in this written directive are applicable when the situation is under Department control and not (or no longer considered) a high-risk incident. If the situation is considered a high-risk incident, members shall adhere to the protocols in General Order 26 (High-Risk Incidents) to first quell the situation. B. In situations where an involved officer is incapacitated and unable to complete the required tasks of this written directive, the involved supervisors and commanders are responsible for making prudent and reasonable adjustments to the process steps to ensure the policy mandates are completed. C. Critical Incident Response Checklist 2.13 (Officer-Involved Action with Serious Injury or Death) contains information which may assist officers and supervisors in managing situations described in this written directive. D. Critical Incident Response Checklist 2.14 (Officer-Involved Traffic Crash Response) contains information which may assist officers and supervisors in managing situations where an officer’s traffic crash has resulted in serious injury or death. GENERAL ORDER 63 PAGE 3 of 18 OFFICER-INVOLVED ACTION RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY/DEATH NOVEMBER 1, 2024\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT II. NOTIFICATION PROCESS AND RESPONSE GUIDELINES Notifications – A. An on-duty officer or supervisor aware of an officer discharging a firearm at a person, or a response to resistance or other action by an officer resulting in serious injury or death is responsible for promptly notifying the CDA. B. Notification to the CDA does not preclude any needed or directed notification to an on-duty supervisor or the Watch Commander. C. As directed in CDA Policy 630 (Tactical Dispatch Plan), the CDA is responsible promptly notifying the Watch Commander upon notification of an officer discharging a firearm at a person, or a response to resistance or other action by an officer (e.g., traffic crash) resulting in serious injury or death. D. Upon being aware of an officer discharging a firearm at a person, or a response to resistance or other action by an officer resulting in serious injury or death, the Watch Commander, or designee, shall utilize the Everbridge system to notify the following: 1. Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) or Traffic Homicide Unit (THU), as appropriate, 2. Forensic Unit, 3. Director (and Assistant-Director) of Communications, 4. Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), 5. Legal Advisor, 6. Patrol Operations Bureau Commander, and 7. Technology and Innovation (T&I) Body Worn Camera (BWC) Manager. E. Upon notification, the Patrol Operations Bureau Commander, or designee, shall notify the following members: 1. Other Bureau Commander(s) affected by the incident, 2. Deputy Chief, and 3. Chief of Police. GENERAL ORDER 63 PAGE 4 of 18 OFFICER-INVOLVED ACTION RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY/DEATH NOVEMBER 1, 2024\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT F. As directed in CDA Policy 630, if the involved officer’s on-duty supervisor is not aware of the incident, the CDA is responsible for making that notification. Response – G. Only members and other personnel essential to the investigation should respond to the incident scene, to include: 1. Primary detective(s) and supervisor(s) from the VCU or THU, 2. Watch Commander, 3. Involved officer’s on-duty supervisor, 4. Forensic Specialist(s), 5. Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) or Operational Support Bureau (OSB) Commander, as appropriate, 6. Bureau Commander of involved officer, 7. Legal Advisor, 8. IAU detective(s), 9. Director (and Assistant-Director) of Communications, 10. Designated personnel of the State Attorney’s Office (SAO), and 11. Other members and personnel as requested by the Incident Commander, an on-scene supervisor, or VCU or THU detectives or supervisor. III. INCIDENT SCENE CONTROL PROCEDURES A. In response to the incident, the first officer(s) or supervisor(s) on scene are responsible for establishing Incident Command (IC) and: 1. Assessing the situation (e.g., injuries, at-large suspects, locations, egress/ingress concerns) through interview or observation, and promptly relaying the information over the police radio, 2. Ensuring medical aid is rendered as needed, 3. Announcing the establishment of IC over the police radio, and GENERAL ORDER 63 PAGE 5 of 18 OFFICER-INVOLVED ACTION RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY/DEATH NOVEMBER 1, 2024\n\n--- Page 6 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT 4. In adherence to the crime scene protocols of General Order 18 (Criminal Investigations), establishing an: a. Inner perimeter, b. Outer perimeter, and c. Access point for the inner perimeter, B. In response to the incident, the first supe