HCSD — Standard Operating Procedures

308.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This policy provides deputies with guidelines for the safe and appropriate vehicular response to emergency and non-emergency incidents or requests for assistance, whether these are dispatched or self-initiated.

308.2 RESPONSE TO CALLS

The Hartwell County (Briamont) Dispatch Radio has one known channel for HCSD, /7.

• Channel 1 (/7) is the primary dispatch channel for all departments.
• HCSD will utilize this channel to communicate with one another, conduct traffic stops, request records checks from Hartwell County Dispatch. This channel is secured to law enforcement officers only, so sensitive information between deputy sheriffs and dispatch can be given in confidence.

RADIO ETIQUETTE

• Maintain a level of courtesy and respect when speaking to one another on the radio.
• All personal and lengthy conversations should be relayed through cell phones rather than clogging the radio with unnecessary traffic.
• Let dispatch know from time to time where you and what you do.
• Please use the appropriate channel (as listed above) when utilizing the Briarmont Dispatch.
• All department personnel are expected to use the following codes:

CODES: (not a comprehensive list and this comprehensive list will be provided) 10-4 Acknowledge / Copy 10-6 Busy 10-7 Out of Service (Off Duty) 10-8 In Service (On Duty) Code 1 Normal Traffic Code 2 Urgent - No Lights/Sirens Code 3 Emergency - Lights/Sirens Code 4 No Further Assistance Code 5 Stakeout

• When using the codes as listed above, you’ll need to indicate which channel you are responding to, followed by a request of Dispatch with your Callsign.
• For example: /7 Dispatch SD1 10-8
• Dispatch will use this to acknowledge your status as being available, which other officials can see.

Common available commands to dispatch also include: Close incident <number>, mark it as resolved.

Deputies dispatched "Code-3" shall consider the call an emergency response and proceed immediately. Deputies responding Code-3 shall continuously operate emergency lighting equipment, including at minimum a steady forward-facing red light, and shall sound the siren as reasonably necessary pursuant to Vehicle Code § 21055.

Responding with emergency light(s) and siren does not relieve the deputy 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.

Deputies should only respond Code-3 when so dispatched or when circumstances reasonably indicate an emergency response is required. Deputies not authorized to respond Code-3 shall observe all traffic laws and proceed without the use of emergency lights and siren.

308.3 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 deputies, 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 requesting deputy shall immediately notify Dispatch.

If circumstances permit, the requesting deputy should give the following information:

• The unit number
• The location
• The reason for the request and type of emergency
• The number of units required

308.3.1 NUMBER OF UNITS ASSIGNED

Normally, only one unit should respond to an emergency call Code-3 unless the Administrative Bureau or the field supervisor authorizes an additional unit(s).

308.4 INITIATING CODE 3 RESPONSE

If a deputy believes a Code-3 response to any call is appropriate, the deputy shall immediately notify Dispatch. Generally, only one unit should respond Code-3 to any situation. Should another deputy believe a Code-3 response is appropriate, Emergency Communications Center shall be notified and the Administrative Bureau or field supervisor will make a determination as to whether one or more deputies driving Code-3 is appropriate.

308.5 RESPONSIBILITIES OF RESPONDING DEPUTIES

Deputies shall exercise sound judgment and care with due regard for life and property when responding to an emergency call. Deputies 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 deputy. If, in the deputy's judgment, the roadway conditions or traffic congestion does not permit such a response without unreasonable risk, the deputy 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 deputy should immediately notify Dispatch. A deputy shall also discontinue the Code-3 response when directed by a supervisor.

Upon receiving authorization or determining a Code-3 response is appropriate, a deputy shall immediately give the location from which he/she is responding.

308.6 COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES

A dispatcher shall assign a Code-3 response when a deputy requests emergency assistance or 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 dispatcher shall obtain authorization from the Administrative Bureau or a field supervisor prior to assigning units Code-3. The dispatcher shall:

• Attempt to assign the closest available unit to the location requiring assistance.
• Immediately notify the Administrative Bureau.
• Confirm the location from which the unit is responding.
• Notify and coordinate allied emergency services (e.g., fire and ambulance).
• Continue to obtain and broadcast information as necessary concerning the response and monitor the situation until it is stabilized or terminated.
• Control all radio communications during the emergency and coordinate assistance under the direction of the Administrative Bureau or field supervisor.

308.7 SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Upon being notified that a Code-3 response has been initiated, the Administrative Bureau or the field supervisor shall verify the following:

• The proper response has been initiated
• No more than those units reasonably necessary under the circumstances are involved in the response
• Affected outside jurisdictions are being notified as practical Deputy Response to Calls The field supervisor shall monitor the response until it has been stabilized or terminated and assert control by directing units into or out of the response if necessary. If, in the supervisor's judgment, the circumstances require additional units to be assigned a Code-3 response, the supervisor may do so.

It is the supervisor's responsibility to terminate a Code-3 response that, in his/her judgment is inappropriate due to the circumstances.

When making the decision to authorize a Code-3 response, the Administrative Bureau or the field supervisor should consider the following:

• The type of call
• The necessity of a timely response
• Traffic and roadway conditions
• The location of the responding units

308.8 FAILURE OF EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

If the emergency equipment on the vehicle should fail to operate, the deputy must terminate the Code-3 response and respond accordingly. In all cases, the deputy shall notify the Administrative Bureau, field supervisor, or Dispatch of the equipment failure so that another unit may be assigned to the emergency response.

308.9 POLICY

It is the policy of this office to appropriately respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service or requests for assistance, whether these are dispatched or self-initiated.

308.10 ANNUAL POLICY REVIEW

The Patrol Division Commander or their authorized designee, shall conduct an annual review of this policy and related procedures and submit a report to the Sheriff indicating any recommended changes or requested training.

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