DEATH & INJ NOT 12.5
TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
TITLE: DEATH AND INJURY NOTIFICATIONS
GENERAL ORDER: 12.5
EFFECTIVE: October 1, 1998
RESCINDS: PO 407.00 (November 1, 1997)
ACCREDITATION
STANDARDS: CFA NONE
PAGES: 3
CONTENTS:
This order consists of the following numbered sections:
I. GENERAL NOTIFICATION GUIDELINES
II. DELIVERING NOTIFICATION
III. UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS
IV. GLOSSARY
PURPOSE:
To provide guidelines for making notifications to the next of kin of deceased or seriously injured
person.
SCOPE:
This order applies to all Police Department members.
DISCUSSION:
The following procedures will serve as a guide for making notifications to the next of kin on
the death or serious injury of a family member.
POLICY:
Officers will use tact, discretion, and compassion when required to make such notifications.
PROCEDURE:
I.GENERALNOTIFICATIONGUIDELINES:
When making any death or injury notification the following
will apply:
A.
The officer will attempt to find out pertinent information about the survivors. This may be obtained
through roommates, friends, people on scene, co-workers, family photos or addresses in wallets, etc. Every
effort should be made to find out:
1.
How many people are in the family.
2.
If anyone will be physically endangered by the news (i.e. pregnancy, heart problems). If such a
possibility exists Fire/Rescue will be notified and asked to standby.
G.O.12.5
II. DELIVERING NOTIFICATION:
A. Death or Injury Within Jurisdiction:
When a death or serious injury occurs within the agency’s
jurisdiction, the following applies:
1.
When delivering the notification, it is important to keep in mind that hearing that a loved one has died is
always a shock. Reactions may include strong denial and refusal to believe what they are being told,
extreme anger often at the officer, and even no emotion at all. The uniformed officer is there to represent
authority and credibility.
2.
When making an actual notification, the officer will observe the following:
a.
Make certain that the information; address and names of survivors are correct.
b.
Introduce themselves, ask to enter the home, and ask everyone to sit down.
c.
If there are children in the home, ask to speak with the adults in private.
d.
The officer will tell survivors simply and directly, leaving no room for doubt or false hope. Use their
loved one’s name. “I have some bad news for you. _________ is dead.” Use the word “dead” not passed
away, etc.
e.
The officer will stay long enough to answer what questions they can, repeating answers to questions as
often as necessary or contacting other personnel to obtain additional answers. They should be prepared to
present confirming information in a clear and convincing manner in the face of denial.
f.
Officers do not take personal items of the deceased to make the notification as it adds emotional fuel to
the tragic news.
g.
The officer making the notification will document the name and telephone number of the next of kin,
time, date, and location of the notification in a supplement report to the original death or
injury report.
B. Notification From Another Jurisdiction:
When a death or serious injury occurs in another jurisdiction
and the next of kin live in this agency’s jurisdiction, the following applies:
1.
Upon receipt of a request for notification from another jurisdiction, the Communications Division will
determine the residence location of the person to be notified and provide all available information to the
appropriate shift supervisor.
2.
The assigned uniformed officer will make the notification, observing all guidelines for death
notification as previously outlined above. In addition, it is important they have the following information:
a.
Who died, how, when (the exact time) and where?
b.
Who identified the person and how.
c.
Where the body is now.
d.
Was a crime involved?
e.
If the death occurred by auto accident, the make and color of the vehicle and where the vehicle was
taken.
f.
The name and telephone number of the agency and individual in charge of the investigation.
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G.O.12.5
3.
Whenever possible, a secondary confirmation will be obtained from the requesting agency, prior to
notification being given. This can be in the form of a call back, fax, teletype, or other manner.
III. UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS:
A.
If the next of kin are not at home, the officer should check with neighbors to identify a time when the
person is expected home. If they give a specific time, ask the neighbor not to discuss the situation with
anyone, and the officer should return at the specified time. If a return time cannot be determined, the neighbor
should be notified that there is a "family emergency" and asked to contact the Communications Division when
the next of kin returns to the residence. The officer is responsible for notifying the Communications Division
to expect the call.
B.
When the original officer is unable to make the notification before going off duty, that officer is
responsible for relaying the information to the oncoming shift supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for
ensuring that the notification is made.
C.
Upon receiving a call from the neighbor, the communications supervisor will contact the original officer
or the on duty shift supervisor, if the original officer is off duty.
IV. GLOSSARY:
IMMEDIATE FAMILY - Includes the spouse, children, or parent.
NEXT OF KIN - The next surviving member of the decedent’s family.
INDEXING:
DEATH NOTIFICATIONS
INJURY NOTIFICATIONS
NEXT OF KIN NOTIFICATION
NOTIFICATIONS, DEATH AND SERIOUS INJURY
DRAFTED:
RLG/September 23, 1998/Filed: D&Inot 12.5
APPROVED:
Pete Pitocchelli, Chief DATE: November 05, 2011
Tequesta, Florida
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