RESPONSE LEVELS 12.8
Tequesta Police Department
GENERAL ORDER
TITLE: RESPONSE LEVELS TO CALLS FOR SERVICE
GENERAL ORDER: 12.8
EFFECTIVE: March 1, 2003
RESCINDS: NEW
ACCREDITATION
STANDARDS: CFA 17.08
PAGES: 3
CONTENTS:
This order consists of the following numbered sections:
I. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
II. RESPONSE LEVELS
III. VEHICLES OPERATION
IV. GLOSSARY
PURPOSE:
To establish guidelines for officers in determining the level of response to various incident types and
situations.
SCOPE:
This order applies to all law enforcement officers.
DISCUSSION:
Several factors dictate the level of response used by an officer in responding to calls for service. The
response levels given in this policy will serve as a guide or recommendation to the officer.
POLICY:
The Police Department utilizes a system of classifying calls for service that will guide an officer’s level of
response.
PROCEDURE:
I. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Patrol Function:
It will be the responsibility of the officer to know the departmental response code for each
incident type class as set forth in the following code to priority guidelines.
B. Communications:
Calls for service will be assigned a priority level according to the guidelines set forth in
General Order 12.1 indexed as Patrol Division Administration and Operation. That response code will be sent to the
responding officer via voice.
C. Officer Discretion:
Factors, such as time of day, traffic, weather, officer’s previous understanding of a
particular incident, will dictate the officer to use some discretion. The run code given to the officer by dispatch will
serve as a guide or recommendation to the officer.
G.O. 12.8
II. RESPONSE LEVELS:
All calls for service that are dispatched shall be given a code designation as follows:
A.Emergency - Code 3 = Priority 1
Priority 1 - In-Progress:
This category includes calls that require emergency rapid response by an officer to
prevent the loss of life or serious injury, or crimes that involve in-progress felony offenses. Priority 1 calls will be
dispatched immediately and assigned to the closest available unit. A shift supervisor may release officers from other
calls to respond to a Priority 1 situation.
B. Urgent - Code 2 = Priority 2 and Priority 3
Priority 2 - Just Occurred:
This category includes calls that require a rapid response to prevent repeat violence,
or to apprehend wanted persons or suspects in the area of the crime. Priority 2 calls will be dispatched and assigned
as soon as possible.
Priority 3 - In-Progress/Non-emergency:
This category includes calls that do not require a priority response, but
involve in-progress misdemeanor crimes with a suspect in the area of the crime.
C. Routine - Code 1 = Priority 4
Priority 4 - Routine/Non-Emergency:
This category includes non-priority calls that require a general, non-
emergency response for incidents that are not in-progress and are delayed in nature.
III. VEHICLE OPERATION:
A. Code 1:
A response of a non-emergency nature to a request for service. Officers shall observe and obey all
driving regulations and rules of the road as required by law, and departmental policies and procedures. Officers shall
also obey all parking laws upon arrival.
B. Code 2:
A response to an urgent situation of a probable non-life threatening nature.
1.
Emergency lights and siren will be activated when necessary, based on factors such as traffic, time of day,
weather, type of incident, etc.
2.
Officers may exceed the posted speed limit by a maximum of 15 mph, depending on traffic and/or weather
conditions.
3.
Responding units will come to a complete stop at all regulated stop areas before proceeding through the
controlled area against traffic control devices.
4.
When units have a green light, units will slow down as necessary to proceed safely.
5.
When proceeding through controlled or non-controlled intersections, the siren will be in operation continually
through the intersection, and all driving maneuvers will be made so as to be certain that other vehicles are yielding,
and it is safe to continue.
C. Code 3:
A response to an in progress, possibly life threatening, situation.
1.
Officers will respond as quickly and safely as possible with emergency lights and siren activated to the assigned
location.
2.
Officers proceeding through a controlled intersection against the traffic control device, or through a non-
controlled intersection where they would not normally have the right of way, will slow to a safe speed or stop if
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G.O. 12.8
necessary to allow the officer to determine if opposing traffic will recognize and yield to the emergency vehicle.
D. All Emergency Response:
Although requiredto stay within the guidelines of departmental policy and
procedure, officers shall stay within the statutory limits of FSS 316.126 (3), (5):
1.
Any authorized emergency vehicle, when enroute to meet an existing emergency, shall warn all other vehicular
traffic along the emergency route by an audible signal, siren, exhaust whistle, or other adequate device, or by a
visible signal by the use of displayed blue lights. While enroute to such an emergency, the emergency vehicle shall
otherwise proceed in a manner consistent with the law regulating vehicular traffic upon the highways of this state.
This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with
due regard for the safety of persons using the highway.
IV. GLOSSARY:
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE - Vehicles of the fire department, police vehicles, and such ambulances and
emergency vehicles of municipal departments as are designated or authorized by the department or the Chief of Police of
an incorporated city or any sheriff of the various counties.
EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION - The rapid response to a priority call for service utilizing emergency
equipment.
SIREN - An audible device or equipment capable of a continuous monotone, warble, or two-tone warning. A vehicle
horn is not defined as a siren.
INDEXING:
RESPONSE TO CALLS FOR SERVICE
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION
DRAFTED:
January 8, 2003/Filed: respon12.8
APPROVED:
Pete Pitocchelli, Chief DATE: November 05, 2011
Tequesta, Florida
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