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COMMUNITY CARETAKING 9.249.24.1 PURPOSE
A. To establish basic criteria for responding to requests for community care-taking services such as the delivery of emergency messages and conducting welfare checks.
9.24.2 DISCUSSION
A. While some requests for service received may not be of a strictly law enforcement nature, the Department recognizes that they still constitute a legitimate law enforcement function.
9.24.3 MESSAGE DELIVERY
B. Non-Emergency Messages – Officers shall decline to deliver messages that are not of an emergency nature, but merely serve as a convenience. However, an officer may deliver messages that may not fall under the direct criteria of “emergency messages” if case load permits and the officer determines that delivery of the message would further the interests of community safety.
9.24.4 WELFARE CHECKS
1. Prevent Serious Harm – Welfare checks often require the officer to respond to incidents of reportedly suicidal, depressed, or mentally unstable individuals who may pose a threat to themselves or others.
9.24.5 PUBLIC UTILITIES AND SERVICES SUPPORT
A. If a responding officer or supervisor determines that the situation is beyond the ability, scope, training, or equipment of the police to deal with, the officer should request support from the utility or resource most capable of assisting, i.e. Fire Department assistance, street or highway departments, etc.
Carla C. Piluso
Chief of Police ***BACK PAGE***