Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
3 01/24/2011 06/01/2019 12/01/2020
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SS416 - Call Taker Response to Suicidal Person 1 SS416 CALL TAKER RESPONSE TO SUICIDAL PERSON
SS416.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This procedure establishes guidelines for handling suicid e situations .
SS.416.1.2 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This procedure pertains to the following CALEA Standards: N/A
This p rocedure pertains to the following General Orders: N/A
SS416.2 PROCEDURE
Handling calls from someone reporting a person they believe to be suicidal varies greatly from
speaking to a person who is actually suicidal.
SS416.2.1 CALLER REPORTING A SUICIDAL PERSON
If you receive a call from someone reporting a suicidal person , obtain the following information:
a) The location of the person needing assistance. Address, business or cross streets.
b) Relationship to the victim .
c) Means and method the victim is going to use to commit suicide.
d) Does the person have access to any weapons?
e) When was the last time the caller talked to the victim?
f) How was contact made, in person or by phone?
g) Obtain a ph one number for the victim.
h) Did the victim contact caller or did caller contact victim?
i) Victim’s information - name, date of birth or age, phone number s
j) Any history of suicide attempts? If so, when and how?
k) If the threat involved a vehicle, obtain vehicle description and license plate
l) Does the victim live alone?
m) Any history of mental or medical issues?
n) Callers name, address and phone number
o) Enter the call for service as 914A . Depending on the information provided and at the
dispatcher’s discretion, this c all may also be entered as WC (welfare check).
SS416.2.2 DISPATCHING THE CALL
a) Dispatch a minimum of two officers to the location of the suicidal person .
b) Run the name of the person through RMS for local histor y and check for guns
registered.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
3 01/24/2011 06/01/2019 12/01/2020
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SS416 - Call Taker Response to Suicidal Person 2
c) Check location history for previous calls to the address if the caller gives a home
address .
d) Advise responding office rs of all pertinent information .
SS416.3 CALLER REPORTING IS SUICIDAL
If you receive a call from a person reporting they are suicidal , obtain the following information:
a) Ask the caller where he /she is calling from , address, business or cross streets .
b) Ask the caller if he /she has already injured themselves. If so, contact Orange County
Fire Authority and have them stage.
c) Means and method s intended to commit suicide. Generally if the caller has a plan , the
threat is more immediate.
d) Enter the call for service as 914A .
e) The phone number the caller is calling from in case the line is disconnected.
f) The caller’s name, date of birth and descript ion (if the person is outside) .
g) Is there access t o any weapons ?
h) Has the caller ever attempted suicide before? When and how?
i) Is the caller alone?
j) Obtain as much information as possible and document it in CAD .
It is very important to keep the suicidal person talking as long as possible. As long as the caller
is talking, he/she is not likely to kill themselves. Reassure the person help will arrive shortly. It
is important to find out how the caller is going to respond to law enforcement presence. Avoi d
putting the suicidal person on hold if at all possible. Keep the caller on the line until officers
arrive on scene.
SS416. 3.1 DISPATCHING THE CALL
a) Dispatch a minimum of two officers to the location of the suicidal person .
b) Run the name of the person th rough RMS for local history a nd check for guns registered
to that location.
c) Check location history for previous calls to the address if the caller provides his/her
home address .
d) Advise responding officers of all pertinent information .