Transcript AJ 53 – Police Field Operations

AJ 53 –
Police Field Operations
Chapter 6 –
Frequently Handled Assignments
Missing Children
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Especially important due to vulnerability
of missing child
Attempt to determine situation
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Run-away
Kidnapping
Child-stealing
Any motivation for leaving
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Abuse, bullying, recent trauma, hiding
Missing Children (continued)
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Other considerations
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Establish exact time/location last seen
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Friends, neighbors, relatives, etc.
Conduct systematic, thorough search
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Age of child
Medical issues/needs
Prior incidents/similar behavior
Transportation available to child
Local geography, attractions, etc.
Allow parents/relatives to call aloud
Megan’s Law
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Sex-offender registration & public information access
Amber Alert Program (1996)
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Used in serious, time-critical situations
Amber Alert criteria…
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Confirmed abductions
Victim under age 17 or
Victim has mental/physical disability
Victim in imminent danger of injury/death
Information available, if made public, could aid in
victim’s recovery/return
Information publicized on radio, TV,
electronic messaging on highways
Missing Adults
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Adult = right to travel at will
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Adults sometimes reported “missing” if
merely late or out of normal routine
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No obligation to notify family/friends
Obligations for taking report
Determine if any suspected foul play,
unusual circumstances, or medical
needs
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Broadcast necessary information to
local/outside agencies
Intoxication
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Alcohol very commonly related to patrol activity
Reasons for intoxication
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647(f) PC – Public Intoxication
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Celebration, habitual drunk, etc.
Alcohol and/or drugs
Unable to care for own safety
Officer discretion
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Release to responsible person?
Medical care before booking?
Available alternatives to jail?
849b PC option
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Release after “detention only”
Civil Disputes
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Criminal vs. Civil Law violations
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Criminal Offense vs. Personal Wrong
Civil disputes closely related and often
escalate into criminal violations
Get as much detailed information from
Dispatch as possible prior to arrival
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Weapons, threats, injuries, etc.
Exact nature of complaint
Prior calls for service
Family Disputes
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Very volatile, potentially violent
Officer acts as mediator, arbitrator,
referee, advisor
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Use tact, diplomacy, and professionalism
Very difficult to solve years-long issues
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Officer responsibilities?
Immediate vs. long-term solutions
Crisis Intervention
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Crisis = situation causing persons involved to
lose the ability to cope
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Lost ability to discuss, reason, negotiate
May result in harm to self/others
Causes of Crisis
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Death
Family/Marriage/Relationships
Financial problems, Loss of job
Alcohol/Drug use
Crisis Intervention (cont’d)
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Officer responsibilities
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Assess the Situation
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Immediate Corrective Action
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Allow person to explain reason for crisis
Crisis-Diffusion Techniques
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Separate parties/Remove as needed
Listen and Observe
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Injuries, threats, criminal activity
Calm, supportive tone/body language
Take appropriate action
Domestic Disputes/Violence
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History and legal changes
Extremely dangerous situations for
participants and officers alike… Why?
Officer Responsibilities
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Obtain complete information from Dispatch
Safe approach
Check everyone for signs of violence,
injury, etc.
Domestic Violence (cont’d)
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273.5 PC–Corporal Injury to Spouse
(F)
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Certain specified relationships
Arrest without victim’s cooperation
DV dynamics = Power and Control
Children involved?
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“They’re asleep. They didn’t hear anything”
Always check on children’s welfare!
Impact of DV on children
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Attitudes towards Law Enforcement?
Follow-up per Community Policing
philosophy
Landlord-Tenant Disputes
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Property rights, eviction notices, etc.
Officer often expected to Keep the
Peace during these situations
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Property recovery, retrieval, etc.
Be aware of Civil Code procedures
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Don’t take sides
Don’t give legal advice!
Liens and Repossessions
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Property may sometimes be legally held as
collateral until payment is made
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Landlords, mechanics, innkeepers…
Check for contracts, bills of sale, etc.
Repossessions
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Not on private property, without consent
Without force
Notification to Law Enforcement
Property belongs to repossessor, once repossessed
Other property must be returned
Mentally/Emotionally
Disturbed Individuals
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5150 W&I
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Allows for 72-hour hold, against the will, for psychiatric
evaluation/treatment if…
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Common psychological/emotional issues
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Danger to others
Danger to self
Gravely disabled
Psychosis, paranoia, schizophrenia, manic-depression, etc.
Potentially violent situations
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Rapid mood swings, unpredictable behavior
Suicidal subjects, weapons involved
“Suicide by cop”
Mentally/Emotionally
Disturbed Individuals (cont’d)
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Officer actions and responses
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Officer/public safety!
Calm, reassuring tone/body language
Avoid threatening/intimidating comments
Utilize friends, relatives as appropriate
Take appropriate action
Mental health evaluation procedures
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Vary by jurisdiction
Alcoholic Beverage Control
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ABC often works with local Law
Enforcement agencies to
investigate violations...
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Liquor Licenses
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Ages of employees
Hours of operation
On-sale/off-sale licenses
Sales to minors
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Sting operations, shoulder taps, buybusts
Disorderly Conduct
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647 PC – Disorderly Conduct
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(a) Solicits/engages in lewd conduct
(b) Solicits/engages in act of prostitution
(c) Accosts others for purposes of begging
(d) Loiters in/about public toilet for
purposes of soliciting/engaging in lewd,
lascivious act
Disorderly Conduct (cont’d)
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647 PC 
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(f) Under the influence of alcohol/drugs
to point of being unable to care for own
safety/safety of others or who is
obstructing public way
(h) Loiters, prowls, wanders upon private
property of another without lawful
purpose
(i) While loitering/prowling/wandering
peeks in door/window of inhabited
building/structure
Stalking
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Secret admirers, spurned lovers, DV
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Very serious and potentially violent
646.9 PC elements…
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Willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly
Follows or harasses another person
And who makes a credible threat
With intent to place person in reasonable
fear of death or GBI
Nuisances
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Public Nuisance
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General disruption of peaceful community
operations
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Disturbing the Peace, noise violations,
panhandling, fights, animal violations, etc.
Attractive Nuisance
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Locations or situations that attract
potential problems, crimes, injuries…
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Vacant buildings, abandoned vehicles, etc.
Special Events
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Parades, Festivals, Concerts, etc.
Primary LE responsibilities?
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Maintain peace, order, and safety
Expedite traffic flow
Prevent major disturbances
In the event of disorderly behavior
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Identify/remove troublemakers as quickly and
quietly as possible
Fires
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Fire Department has primary
responsibility for…
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Fire suppression
Investigation of fire’s origin
Law Enforcement present to…
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Control vehicle/pedestrian traffic
Evacuate as needed
Assist with investigation
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Witness interviews
Suspect identification/apprehension
First-Aid
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Patrol officer often first responder to
accidents, medical emergencies, etc.
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Even if dispatched to ambulance-assist call,
officer may arrive first
Preservation/protection of human life
outweighs need for criminal investigation
Care & control of victims, scene, bystanders
Concerns
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Blood-borne pathogens, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, etc.
Courtesy Services
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Escorts
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Dignitaries, latenight employees
Messenger
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People, evidence,
equipment
Elderly/Medical
assistance
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Death/accident
notifications, checkthe-welfare
Transportation
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Tour
Guide/Directions
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Fallen individuals,
Tourists, lost
individuals
Disabled Motorists
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Gas, keys, broken
down
Assisting Public Utilities
and Other Agencies
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Patrol officer often first to recognize
real or potential hazards….
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Street lights or traffic lights out
Electricity out/wires down
Damaged hydrants or water lines
Flooding
Phone lines down
Trees/branches down, other hazards
Animal Calls
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Responsibilities vary by
jurisdiction
Potentially dangerous situations
Patrol officer animal
encounters…
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Wild animal sightings
Loose livestock
Stray/lost pets
Illegal-animal possession