Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 01/01/2025
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
__________________ ______ ___
316 - Officer Response to Calls 1
POLICY 316 OFFICER RESPONSE TO CALLS
316.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides for the safe and appropriate response to emergency and non -emergency
situations whether dispatched or self -initiated.
316.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This section pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 41.2.1 , 41.2.4 , 61.2.2, 81.2.6
This section pertains to the following Standard Operating Procedures: N/A
316.2 RESPONSE TO CALLS
Officers dispatched “Code -3” shall consider the call an emergency response and proceed
immediately . Officers responding Code -3 shall continuously operate emergency lighting
equipment, including at minimum a steady forward -facing red light, and shall sound the siren at all
times pursuant to Vehicle Code § 21055.
Responding with emergency light(s) and siren does not relieve the officer 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.
Any call that is not dispatched as Code -3 is a Code -1 response . Officers not authorized to
respond Code -3 shall observe all traffic laws and proceed without the use of emergency lights
and siren.
316.3 REQUESTING EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Requests 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 officer s on scene shall
immediately notify Communications.
If circumstances permit, the requesting officer should give the following information:
a) The unit number ;
b) The location ;
c) The reason for the request and type of emergency ;
d) The number of units required .
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 01/01/2025
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
__________________ ______ ___
316 - Officer Response to Calls 2
316.3.1 NUMBER OF UNITS ASSIGNED
Normally, only one or two units should respond to an emergency call Code -3 unless the Watch
Commander o r the Field Supervisor authorizes an additional unit(s).
316.4 INITIATING CODE 3 RESPONSE
If an officer believes a Code -3 response to any call is appropriate, the officer shall immediately
notify Communications. Generally, only one or two units should respond Code -3 to any situation.
Should another officer believe a Code -3 response is appropriate, Communications shall be
notified prior to initiating and the Watch Commander, Field Supervisor, or Communications
Officer will make a determination as to whether one or more office rs driving Code -3 is
appropriate.
316.5 RESPONSIBILITIES OF RESPONDING OFFICER(S)
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 to 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 the use of red lights and
siren at the legal speed limit. In such an event, the officer should immediately notify
Communications. An officer shall also discontinue the Code -3 response when directed by a
supervisor or Communications Officer.
Upon receiving authorization or determining a Code -3 response is appropriate, an officer shall
immediately give the location from which he/she is responding.
316.6 COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES
A Communications Officer shall assign a Code -3 response when an officer requests emer gency
assistance or if 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
Communications Officer shall obtain authorization from the Watch Commander or a field
supervisor prior to assigning units Code -3. The Communications Officer shall:
a) Attempt to assign the closest available unit to the location requiring assistance ;
b) Immediately notify the Watch Commander ;
c) Activate the channel marker;
d) Confirm the location from which the unit is responding ;
e) Notify and coordinate allied emergency services (e.g., fire and ambulance) ;
f) Continue to obtain and broadcast information as necessary concerning the response and
monitor the situation until it is stabilized or terminated ;
g) Control all radio communications during the emergency and coordinate assistance under
the direction of the Watch Commander or field supervisor .
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 01/01/2025
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
__________________ ______ ___
316 - Officer Response to Calls 3
316.7 SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Upon being notified that a Code -3 response has been initiated, the Watch Commander or the
field supervisor shall verify the following:
a) The proper response has been initiated ;
b) No more than those units reasonably necessary under the