Policy Text
POLICY
195.0INJURED PRISONERS
REVISED: 11/2011 RELATED POLICIES:
Reviewed by Chief David Magnusson
5/2019
A.PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to direct Department members in the care of prisoners who
are injured, unconscious or in need of immediate medical attention.
B.GENERAL PROCEDURES
NO PRISONER WILL BE ACCEPTED BY THE BOOKING OFFICER IF HE/SHE
APPEARS TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED, UNCONSCIOUS OR IN NEED OF
IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION.
1.It will be the responsibility of the arresting officer to summon EMS to transport
injured prisoners to the hospital for treatment prior to acceptance at the booking
facility. A police officer will ride in the EMS vehicle when a prisoner is being
transported for treatment. Once EMS makes contact with a prisoner, the arresting
officer will relinquish control of him/her to EMS. However, the arresting officer
will maintain contact with the prisoner for security purposes. All prisoners
transported by EMS will be restrained through the use of handcuffs, flex cuffs, leg
shackles or hospital restraints. Prior to being transported to the hospital and prior
to leaving the hospital, the arresting officer will search the prisoner for weapons
and/or contraband.
a.When treatment has been received, the arresting officer will acquire a
Uniform Referral Form (medical clearance form) from the hospital stating
CLEARED FOR JAIL. The officer will bring the Uniform Referral Form
back to the booking officer when he/she returns with the prisoner.
b.If the prisoner refuses treatment, this will be so noted. The Uniform
Referral Form will still be given to the booking officer.
2.E.M.S. and/or Fire Department personnel will treat prisoners in need of
immediate, emergency medical attention at the scene. They will then be
transported by EMS to whichever facility is dictated by the condition of the
individual, as determined by qualified paramedics.
3.EMS should be requested to evaluate and transport any prisoner who appears to
be intoxicated and the police have a medical concern for them. EMS will
transport the prisoner to the closest appropriate medical facility prior to being
received by the booking officer.
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4.EMS may be requested to evaluate prisoners who have been bitten by a police
canine. If EMS responds to the scene, they will transport the prisoner to a
medical facility.
5.It will be the responsibility of the arresting officer to determine if a prisoner
requires medical attention at the time of the arrest and prior to booking. Any
arrestee who has been subjected to the use of Chemical Defense Spray WILL BE
evaluated by EMS and transported to a medical facility for medical clearance.
NOTE: When there is doubt as to whether or not to take an injured or ill prisoner
to the hospital, the officer shall contact a supervisor. If the supervisor determines
that the prisoner should receive medical attention, the arresting officer will notify
EMS and request that they respond to evaluate the prisoner. If EMS determines
that the prisoner should be transported to a medical facility, they (EMS) will
conduct the transport. EMS shall make the final determination regarding patient
care issues.
6.Any prisoner determined to need medical treatment but refuses to accept the
treatment, will still be taken to an emergency room by EMS. Hospital personnel
will fill out a Uniform Referral Form and indicate that the prisoner "REFUSES
TREATMENT." An officer will sign as a witness that the prisoner refused
medical/EMS treatment. The officer will attach a copy of the form to the
Probable Cause Affidavit (P.C.).
7.No prisoner will be forced to have medical treatment, but must be given a choice.
However, a police officer may order a prisoner to be transported to a hospital for
an evaluation.
C.SECURITY AT THE HOSPITAL
1.In order to enhance officer safety, upon arrival at the hospital, the accompanying
officer shall notify the hospital detail officer that a prisoner is being treated.
Further, the accompanying officer will advise the detail officer of the nature of the
charges and injury or illness. This in no way relieves the accompanying officer of
his/her responsibility for the security of the prisoner.
2.While at the hospital the arrestee shall remain handcuffed at all times, except
when it is necessary to facilitate treatment.
3.If it is necessary to remove the handcuffs, the officer should seek and use other
approved restraint devices (soft leather or cloth restraints) if available and
appropriate.
4.At no time shall an arrestee be left unattended whether restrained or not. An
officer must be present at all times, unless a medical authority must remove the
prisoner for necessary treatment.
5.When the arrestee is charged with a misdemeanor and is admitted to the hospital,
the transporting officer shall contact a supervisor. The supervisor shall determine
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if an officer will be assigned to guard the prisoner or if the prisoner should be
released or issued an NTA in accordance with Department Policy. The arresting
officer may also complete a "NOT IN CUSTODY" Probable Cause Affidavit. If
a