To assign the responsibilities for notifying Staff and on-call personnel of emergencies and serious incidents.

G.O. 1105, Staff Duty Officer

As police agencies must respond to an unpredictable variety of incidents, it is clearly impossible to devise a comprehensive and definitive policy for notifications. The best that can be done is to set up a basic guideline and to trust department personnel to demonstrate professionalism in their use of discretion. The fundamental question is, "Who needs to know in order to act?"

Similarly, an adequate list of cross-references would include most directives in this manual and, therefore, serve no purpose that is not equally well-served by the Table of Contents. Those charged with making notifications are advised to consult whatever directives pertain to the specific kind of incident at hand.

Patrol Sergeants will use their judgment and experience to determine which incidents require Staff notification, except for the mandatory notifications listed in the next section.Mandatory notifications are listed below:

Communications is responsible for making all emergency notifications other than those given individually to Staff.  Communications will routinelynotify Staff members via the "Red Team" page of all the incidents categorized by this General Order.  Other incidents which require a "Red Team" page or other type of notification will be made at the request of any Staff member or supervisor. and any other event that, at the discretion of a supervisor, may be necessary. 

Mandatory notifications made by Communications via the "Red Team" page are:

• Change in National Alert Status (Voice notification to  Division Commanders is also required.)
• Deadly force incidents resulting in injury or death
• Officer causes death or serious injury to someone 
• Member is seriously injured (hospitalized) or killed 
• Incidents involving political sensitivity or a major liability risk 
• Barricaded gunman or hostage incidents 
• Explosives incidents of a serious nature 
• Major fires, aircraft incidents, or other disasters that require police response 
• Major civil disturbances/unlawful demonstrations 
• Homicides or suspected homicides, violent suicides,and kidnappings or foul play 
• Major employee walk-outs or work stoppages 
• Major equipment or communication failure 
• Major incidents requiring unusual drain on Patrol manpower 
• Arrests or other incidents of a sensitive nature involving political or other high profile figureslikely to generate special media attention; newsworthy"  events 
• Department Member is charged with a crime

Communications will generally make emergency notifications at the direction of the on-duty field or investigative supervisors.

To identify key Department personnel necessary for ensuring continuous police service to the community and provide transportation for them during natural disasters, severe weather conditions and other exceptional circumstances which limit the ability to report for duty.
 

CALEA Standards 41.2.1; 46.1.2; 46.1.8; 61.3.1; 61.3.2; 81.3.1
 

The following personnel are considered key personnel in the context of the Emergency Relief Plan and are included in the transportation program of the plan.

Patrol Bureau

• Division Commander(s)
• Assigned oncoming Watch Commander(s)
• Assigned oncoming Front Desk personnel
• Patrol Support Commander or one Sergeant from TEU/Explosives.
• Highest staffing level possible as determined by the on-duty Watch   Commanders.
• Traffic Commander or one Sergeant from Traffic

Communications Section

• Communications Manager 
• Minimum of two Public Safety Dispatchers working the Fire consoles
• Shift supervisor  
• Minimum of five four Emergency Response Technicians
• Minimum of five four Public Safety Dispatchers working the Police consoles

Records Section

• Section Commander
• One I.D. Technician I (detention system)
• One I.D. Technician II (Headquarters)

Investigations Bureau

• Major Persons Crimes Commander or one Sergeant
• Metro VNI Commander or one Lieutentant Lieutenant
• Special Services Commander or one Sergeant
• One investigator from each of the investigative units
• One civilian crime scene investigator

Department Staff

• All Deputy Chiefs

Information Technology Computer Services

• One computer technician

Others

• Public Information Officer

The following priority transportation list will be adhered to by on-duty supervisor when coordinating transportation requests:

• Patrol Bureau
• Communications
• Department Staff
• Investigations Bureau
• Records
• Computer Services
• Others

Key personnel, as defined in the Emergency Relief Plan, are responsible for notifying their Bureau, Division, Section or Unit supervisor, if available, of their need for transportation. That supervisor will then notify the appropriate on-duty supervisor, giving the employee's name and address. If the appropriate supervisor is not available, the employee will notify the on-duty Watch Commander directly.

The on-duty supervisor will coordinate the transportation program with the on-duty Communications supervisor.  Priority for transportation of off-duty personnel, from work assignments to their homes, will rank behind the transportation of oncoming personnel. No off-duty transportation will commence until the on-duty supervisors are satisfied that key personnel transportation is complete and adequate staffing levels have been met, unless it can be accomplished without significantly impacting the transportation of incoming personnel.
 

The Emergency Relief Plan authorizes on-duty supervisors to order the use of Department 4X4 vehicles for transportation purposes. No transportation, however, will be furnished for personnel who live outside the city limits, without the authorization of the Chief of Police or designee.

A list of all Department-owned 4X4 vehicles will be kept in the supervisor's office. If vehicles needed for the transportation program are stored at any location other than police facilities (e.g., the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport or an officer's home), the on-duty supervisor shall immediately take steps to have them moved to a central location for use as transportation vehicles. The Fleet Vehicle Coordinator shall be responsible for updating the vehicle list.
 

The following agencies or individuals can be called on to supplement the provisions of the Emergency Relief Plan. The decision to request outside assistance will be made by the Chief of Police, or designee, in conjunction with the on-duty supervisor.

1. Fort Carson can provide vehicles and drivers to assist in transportation or other needs. Contact the Captain or Sergeant Major of Military Police Operations, 526-0095. If no answer, contact through the Fort Carson Military Police Operations Desk, 526-2333.
2. The Colorado Mounted Rangers organization has access to tracked vehicles. Requests for their use should be made through the Director of Disaster Emergency Services Agency Office of Emergency Management.
3. Snowmobiles can be obtained through snowmobile clubs.  (598-1219).
   Drivers will be furnished with each snowmobile.

To guide personnel in using the police radio communications system in order to ensure effective and efficient command and control of police resources and to maximize employee safety.
 

G.O. 962, Vehicles: Emergency Operation
G.O. 965, Vehicles: Pursuits
G.O. 315, Response to Crimes in Progress
G.O. 110, Emergency Notifications
G.O. 1510, Criminal Records Information
G.O. 975, Mobile Computer Procedures
CALEA Standards 12.1.3; 72.4.9; 81.2.5; 81.2.9; 81.3.1; 81.3.4
 

The purpose of the radio communications system is to direct deployment to meet the needs of any situation, to facilitate coordination, to inform Department personnel of situations and responses, and to assure them that all appropriate resources will be used. The Department's communications protocols are based upon the use of disciplined clear speech, which is the clearest and most efficient means of communicating.
 

All instructions or orders from Communications shall be accepted as if they had been issued personally by the Chief of Police. All such orders or instructions shall be followed, and attempts to resolve disputes arising from them shall be reserved until after completion of the assignments.
 

Talkgroups:  A set of Trunked Radio system users who communicate with each other. For purposes of discussion, a talkgroup is synonymous to a radio channel.

Radio ID:  The internal numeric identifier in every radio operating on a Trunked Radio system.  This identifier is transmitted to the system controller with each transmission, so that the radio can be linked to all other radios programmed with the same talkgroup.  The Radio ID can be displayed as an alias, (i.e., Division, Section, the name and IBM number of the person assigned the radio).

Individual Call Sign:  The personal radio designator for each radio user on the Department not assigned a permanent Unit designator.  An Individual Call Sign is comprised of the prefix "PD" and the member's IBM number.
 

A Department employee will use the Trunked Radio "Emergency Alert" button on their radio to indicate duress when use of clear communication is prohibited by the nature of the situation (for example, the employee is in immediate need of assistance and cannot otherwise communicate the need).  Note: The Emergency Alert function produces an audible tone on the user's radio when activated.  Covert use of this function is limited in a hostage situation.

If performing departmental functions outside his/her normal duty assignment (for example, extra-duty assignments), the employee will use their individual call sign or the designated call sign for a specific assignment when appropriate.
 

See G.O. 965, Vehicles: Pursuits
 

The following codes and phrases shall be used, when applicable, in local radio transmissions:

Officer Needs Help--This emergency call shall be broadcast when immediate aid is needed by an officer. The officer requesting shall include the location followed, if possible, by the unit identification and all other pertinent information.  This emergency call may also be made by activation of the Emergency Alert button on the Trunked radio.  A specific unit shall be dispatched "Code Three" and other available units in the vicinity shall respond "Code Two." An "Officer Needs Help" call shall be broadcast when "emergency assistance" is needed.

In the event of an accidental activation of the Emergency Alert button, the member will immediately advise the dispatcher on the air that they are not experiencing any problem or emergency by giving a Code Four.  The member is to then advise the dispatcher that they are going to clear the Alert on their radio.  To clear the Emergency Alert status on a Trunked radio the Emergency Alert button is pressed for three (3) seconds and then released.  A medium-pitched tone sounds until the button is released and the radio returns to normal operation.

Officer Needs Assistance--This emergency call shall be broadcast when additional aid is needed by an officer. The officer requesting shall include the location, followed by the unit identification and all other pertinent information, including the reason for request. A specific unit shall be dispatched "Code Two" and other available units in the vicinity shall respond when practicable.

Fireman Needs Help--This emergency call shall be broadcast when immediate police assistance is needed because firemen are being attacked, attack is imminent, or some other emergency exists. This emergency call may also be made by activation of the Emergency Alert button on the Trunked radio.  A specific unit shall be dispatched "Code Three" and other available units in the vicinity shall respond "Code Two."

Fireman Needs Assistance--This call shall be broadcast when police assistance is needed because of hostile crowd action or some other incident. A specific unit shall be dispatched "Code Two," and other available units in the vicinity shall respond "Code Two."

Code One--This call may be issued by the dispatcher or a field unit informing all units to stand by--"To Stop Transmitting And Listen."

Code Two--Most calls will require a "Code Two" response. Officers will proceed to a "Code Two" call in accordance with all the provisions of this Manual, the Code of the City of Colorado Springs, and the Colorado Motor Vehicle Laws. Briefly, a "Code Two" response is when a Department vehicle is operated in compliance with all the rules of the road. The only time exemptions are granted for adherence to the rules of the road is during a "Code Three" response.

Code Three--A radio call accompanied by a "Code Three" designation is an emergency call. It shall be answered immediately, but in a manner that will enable the unit to reach the scene as quickly as possible with safety. The red light and siren shall be used whenever it is necessary to disregard provisions of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs and the Colorado Motor Vehicle Laws. 

A call may justify a "Code Three" for any reason listed below:

• A serious public hazard.
• The preservation of life.
• A crime of violence in progress.
• The prevention of a crime of violence.
• An immediate pursuit.
• Any unit requests another unit "Code Three."

The final decision for the use of "Code Three," other than in response to a directed radio call or a field supervisor's authority, shall be made by the vehicle operator.

An officer shall immediately broadcast his/her intention to proceed "Code Three" when the decision is based on anything other than a directed police radio call. The "Code Three" broadcast shall include the nature and location of the activity and, when known, the starting point, route of travel, and destination.

When the "Code Three" has been terminated, the officer shall notify Communications as soon as is practical.

When more than one unit is "Code Three" in the same general area, they shall be notified by Communications that units are "Code Three" in the vicinity. No more than one vehicle shall be operated "Code Three" in any single incident, except with supervisory approval.

Code Four--Will be used to indicate a situation is secured; sufficient units are on hand for the situation; or assistance is not needed. Units which are not at the scene shall return to their assigned patrol area when a "Code Four" is broadcast.

Code Five--When a one-man unit receives a "Code Five" in answer to a request for information on a suspect, the officer shall place himself/herself in a position of advantage and wait for assistance. Communications will wait for the officer's request before broadcasting the information. Once control is established, the officer can choose to request the information or to wait until another unit arrives before doing so. When a "Code Five" is received by a two-man unit, the officers shall immediately place themselves in positions of advantage over the suspect. When control is obtained, the unit shall request the want/warrant information from Communications.

Code Five M--Indicates that the "want" is for a misdemeanor offense.

Code Five F--Indicates that the "want" is for a felony offense.

Code Five AD--Indicates a "want" is for an offense and the person should be considered armed and dangerous.

Code Six--Used by field units to advise the dispatcher that they are busy and not available to respond to calls for service; reasons for being busy and the location of the unit will be given.

Code Seven--Used to request meal times and coffee breaks. After receiving clearance for a "Code Seven" the requesting unit will give his/her location and will remain reachable by radio during the break.

Code Eight--Indicates a burglary or robbery alarm. Dispatchers will indicate whether the alarm is audible or silent and, if available, the exact location of the alarm, i.e., drive-up window, main building, branch office, etc.

Code Nine--Indicates a possible homicide, as opposed to a dead body (DB).

Code Twelve--Indicates an area is under temporary surveillance. All units shall avoid the vicinity except in an emergency or in response to a call.

Code Fifteen--Indicates that transactions on a particular channel are limited to calls for service only.

Code Seventeen--SHO/DI, indicates a juvenile serious habitual offender. Officers are encouraged to take formal action if circumstances permit. If no formal criminal action, FIR is required to alert the Crime Analysis Unit of the contact.

Code Twenty--Request for emergency assistance when the use of clear speech will cause an undesirable reaction from the person(s) with whom the officer is in contact. Basic Response Team is dispatched immediately.
 

The following phonetic alphabet is to be used in radio transmissions:

A -- ADAM         G -- GEORGE    M -- MARY        S -- SAM 
B -- BAKER       H -- HENRY        N -- NANCY      T -- TOM  
C -- CHARLES    I -- IDA              O -- OCEAN      U -- UNION 
D -- DAVID         J -- JOHN           P -- PAUL         V -- VICTOR 
E -- EDWARD    K -- KING           Q -- QUEEN      W -- WILLIAM 
F -- FRANK        L -- LINCOLN      R -- ROBERT     X -- X-RAY
Y-- YOUNG        Z-- ZEB
 

The following procedures shall apply to the dispatching of Department vehicles.
 

Officers shall not respond to calls assigned to other units. If a dispatcher requests the location of Department vehicles in the immediate vicinity of a call requiring immediate attention, any officer in that vicinity shall reply and stand by until cleared to proceed to that call.

It may be necessary for officers to be dispatched to calls for service late in their shift. Officers receiving a call near the end of a tour of duty shall be responsible for properly completing the call, except when specifically relieved of that call by a supervisor or officer from an oncoming shift.

No overtime approval will be needed for Priority One calls for service that carry over a tour of duty. Should overtime be required for other calls for service, the officer is responsible to obtain overtime approval from an on-duty supervisor. At the discretion of the dispatcher, Officers shall be dispatched to calls for service up to thirty (30) minutes prior to the end of their tour of duty . Officers receiving a call near the end of a tour of duty shall be responsible for properly completing the call, except when specifically relieved of that call by an officer from an oncoming shift.
 

Upon arrival at the location of a dispatched call, officers shall properly inform the dispatcher of their arrival.
 

Upon completing an assignment or call, Department personnel shall notify the dispatcher, giving a description of the action taken and the address(es) involved.
 

Neither field personnel nor dispatchers shall assume that their transmission has been received until a proper acknowledgment is received. After a reasonable pause, transmissions should be repeated until acknowledged.
 

Personnel are to use the MDC, (G.O. 975.28) as their primary means for determining, and confirming, wants on persons, vehicles, or items.

To determine if persons, vehicles, other items, etc., are wanted, personnel are to use the MDC, (G.O. 975 .28 ) as their primary means for obtaining this information. 

If an MDC is unavailable, the following information must be provided to the NCIC operator in Records and ID, or to the Communications for a dispatcher, if the NCIC operator is unavailable:  to be able to obtain this information.
Persons: Name, date of birth.

• Vehicles: License number and state of issuance or vehicle identification number.
• Other Articles: Item description, brand, serial number.

If the officer needs information on an extensive list of items, persons, etc., a telephone call should be placed directly to the Records Section. Radio channels should be used only if telephone contact is not possible.
 

The radio shall not be used for routine transmission of criminal history information.  Criminal history information is protected under various federal and state laws and can only be broadcast over the radio in the following situations:

1. When there is a situation affecting the safety of a law enforcement officer or the general public.
2. When a law enforcement officer determines that in order to further the investigation, an immediate need for the information is required.

Absent either of the above situations, all criminal history information shall be requested from personnel authorized to obtain such information and the requests shall be made in person or by phone or MDC (General Order 975).
 

When Communications personnel receive information of a felony crime of violence (i.e., armed robberies with suspect vehicle information, serious assaults with suspect or suspect vehicle information, etc.), information will be directed to Colorado law enforcement agencies by a State Teletype "Be On the Lookout" (BOLO) via the NCIC operator.  This will be followed up by telephone calls to appropriate adjoining agencies as circumstances permit.

The information on a crime and/or suspect must be sent to adjoining agencies as soon as possible after the Colorado Springs Police Department determines a crime has taken place and sufficient information is available to alert outside agencies of the crime.

Suspect and additional information may be sent as an update to the original State Teletype BOLO.
 

If an officer who is required to be in radio contact with Communications (i.e., Patrol Units, etc.) fails to respond to a radio call and has not arrived at the scene of a call or notified Communications that she/he will be out of radio contact, these procedures will be followed:  See General Order 975 .

Each time a radio call for that unit is made the time shall be recorded.

Attempts to call the unit shall continue for fifteen minutes after the first missed call.  The dispatcher will use the Private Call function of the Trunked radio system to attempt direct radio contact with the officer's issued portable radio.

After the fifteen minute lapse, the Communications appropriate Supervisor, the appropriate Patrol Supervisor or supervisor or Command Officer shall be notified in order that the proper procedures be initiated to locate the missing officer(s).

When a missing officer is located, the Patrol Sergeant will ascertain why the officer was not available and report the findings either orally or in writing to the Watch Commander.  The Watch Commander may take immediate action which is appropriate and authorized, or may forward the report for action by the Division Commander.

The involved supervisor or Command Officer shall attach the list of recorded call times to the memorandum to assist in determining if disciplinary action is warranted.
 

Portable radio units are intended to provide mobility and security.  Portable units, and pager units are the responsibility of the person to whom the unit is issued or assigned. Damage to units through neglect or abuse is the responsibility of that person.

Portable units are to be used only for police functions and are not to be used in any manner that violates this purpose or contributes to neglect of duty.  In the event of an emergency, when a member is unable or prevented from using a Department radio, the mature family members or significant other of the officer are authorized to advise the Communications Section of the emergency.  The family members, spouse or significant other who need to use an officer's radio in an emergency are to use the officer's Individual Call Sign adding a suffix "F" to identify themselves.  It is the officer's responsibility to instruct family members in the proper use of the radio, including the identifying call sign.

Use of check-out units must be cleared with the appropriate authority before use (generally, the on-duty Supervisor.)
 

To specify criteria and procedures for taking and submitting offense reports.

SOP P1-62, Criminal Offense Exceptions
CALEA Standards 1.2.8; 71.1.7; 82.2.1; 82.2.2

Officers shall make all required reports promptly, accurately and completely.

Officers will complete and submit reports in accordance with the following criteria:

Felonies: All incidents involving an actual or suspected felony offense will be reported regardless of whether any enforcement or investigative action is taken or anticipated.

Misdemeanors/Petty Offenses: Violations involving a misdemeanor or petty offense will be reported whenever any enforcement or investigative action is taken, or anticipated, or when necessary to justify a lack of enforcement or investigative action.

Special Exception--Indecent Exposure: All incidents involving an indecent exposure violation will be reported, regardless of whether any enforcement or investigative action is taken or anticipated.

Incidents that are unfounded, or do not normally require a report, need not be reported. However, the officer making the decision not to report such an incident may be required to justify the decision to higher authority.  An easy guide to determine if a report needs to be submitted is, "When in doubt, report it."

All reports, except those authorized delayed by a field supervisor or Division Lieutenant, will be submitted before going off duty. All reports will be completed before starting days off.  If necessary and with supervisor approval, Officers may submit for overtime in order to complete reports.

Officers failing to submit reports on time will be subject to disciplinary action. Following are guidelines:

• First failure will be cause for a written reprimand.
• Second failure within one year will be cause for a day's pay to be forfeited.
• On subsequent occasions when an officer fails to turn in reports, the officer shall forfeit additional days' pay.

Patrol officers, and certain other persons, are issued tape recorders for dictating reports during uncommitted time. This permits officers to remain in their vehicles and be available for assignment while completing lengthy narrative reports. Brief supplements should be handwritten to improve expediency.

Face sheets and property descriptor forms will be handwritten, as will brief narratives. Recorders are the responsibility of the person to whom they are assigned, and should be returned to Supply with an explanatory memorandum if they are damaged or inoperable.

G.O. 520 Juveniles
G.O. 540 Mentally Ill Person
S.O.P. I4 - 520 Processing Pick Up Forms
S.O.P. I4 - 362 Computer Entry / Cancellation of Missing Persons
S.O.P. I4 - 361 NCIC Validation List
S.O.P. I4 - 345 Verification of Computer Entries
S.O.P. I4 - 307 NCIC / CCIC / NLETS Message Switching
S.O.P. P1 - 15 Police Service Representatives
S.O.P. P1 - 25 Runaway / Missing Person Reports
NCIC Operations Manual, Part 8, Section 1 -- Missing Person File

The basic legal issue in most missing persons cases is that it is not against the law for an adult to be absent without explanation.  If a person is voluntarily absent, he/she is legally entitled to his/her privacy.  Said another way, competent adults (those age 18 years or over) may choose to disappear if they wish.  In our society adults are free to make what others would consider to be bad decisions.  They can choose to leave home with no advanced warning, to abandon their jobs, ignore friends, and even cut all ties with family members. 

Even if a law enforcement agency were to locate the person, it could not divulge any private information about the person (such as the person's location) without specific permission from that person.  This is because in In some cases persons who are voluntarily absent may have a valid reason for this such as fleeing from an abusive relationship.

As a result, rules of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) regulate the entry of "wants" into that nationwide computer system for missing persons.  These rules prohibit the entry of a person into the NCIC/CCIC "missing persons files" unless the person is a juvenile missing without parental permission, or is an adult who is missing and endangered, or is a person believed to be involuntarily missing such as a victim of abduction or other foul play.  (Reference:  NCIC Operations Manual, Part 8, Section 1.1)

Further, the Police Department has an obligation to attempt to locate adults who have disappeared under mysterious circumstances and may be endangered or the victims of foul play. 

The purpose of this General Order is to attempt to strike a balance between these factors.
 

For the purpose of this policy only, the term “adult” shall include juveniles who are legally emancipated by marriage, military service, or order of a Court of competent jurisdiction. 

Normally, missing persons reports must be made in person at the police facility because these reports must be signed.   Exceptions to this requirement must be approved by an on-duty lieutenant or his/her acting designee.  Missing person reports shall be made on forms approved by the State of Colorado for this purpose. 

There is no required waiting period to report a person is missing.  What is required is that there is sufficient evidence that the person is truly missing before a report is made (not just unexpectedly late or known to be voluntarily absent).  Additionally, there must be some nexus between the missing person and the City of Colorado Springs (e.g. the person resides here and is missing; the person was traveling in Colorado Springs and is missing, etc.)

The Police Department will vary the investigative response to a report of a missing person based upon facts in the case.  The three basic categories for which a missing person report will be accepted are:

1.         Competent adults who are suddenly absent (missing) without explanation and because of the circumstances it cannot be safely determined that this is voluntary and that individual is not in danger.  Thus, it would seem prudent to confirm that the individual is safe. 

§         This would include situations where the missing person has not contacted the reporting party after he/she left and there was no prior indication that they would leave, etc. 

2.        Incompetent adults or others who are missing and are thereby endangered.  Examples include:

§         Adults who are mentally ill or impaired, developmentally disabled, suicidal, etc.

§         Adults with severe medical conditions that could result in the person being incapacitated and unable to return home and thereby endangered.

§         Those adults missing during catastrophic weather (such as a blizzard) or similar circumstances and thereby endangered.

3.        Anyone missing under circumstances indicating the substantial possibility of foul play.

There are a number of factors that will be considered when deciding into which category the missing person falls.  Some examples of these are:

§         Did the person leave a note or otherwise make contact indicating he/she was voluntarily leaving?  

§         Have they failed to perform an important task?  (i.e., pick up children from babysitter, failed to pick up a loved one from work)

§         Do they suffer from any mental or cognitive impairment?

§         Do they have a history of being “missing”?

§         Is the person having relationship problems?

§         Is the person having financial or employment problems?

§         Has the missing person been despondent or depressed?

§         Are any of the person's belongings missing? (i.e., clothing and toiletries)

§         Has the person recently suffered the loss of a loved one, or the end of a long-term relationship?

§         Is the person's car missing?

§         Is the person's wallet missing?

§         Has the person taken substantial amounts of money from his / her bank account? 

§         Is the person having difficulties at work or school?

§         Did the person take necessary medications? 

Facts related to these and similar factors should be addressed in the narrative of a missing person report.  Cases where there appears to be an exigent situation should be immediately brought to the attention of the on-duty lieutenant and his/her designee.

If a person is missing and falls into one of the three categories listed above, regardless of which of the categories is involved, information about the missing person will be entered into NCIC/CCIC and the Police Department’s own computer system by Records and Identification Section after the submission of the report.

Any law enforcement officer with whom the individual comes into contact will be able to swiftly learn his/her status by checking these systems.  These systems automatically notify the Police Department of the query.
 

NCIC rules prohibit entering persons as missing" unless the entering agency is actively handling the case.  (CIC Operations Manual Section 8.1.1.2.)  Cases involving persons missing from jurisdictions other than Colorado Springs will be referred to the jurisdiction from which he/she is missing.

Nothing shall prohibit the Department from making a report for "Outside Agency Assistance" for a person missing in another jurisdiction being reported by a person here, and forwarding that report to the appropriate agency for action, where request to do so by that agency.  When approved by an on-duty lieutenant or his/her acting designee, the Department may send an NLETS message (e.g. teletype) to another agency to request a "check the welfare" on a person believed to be missing and endangered in that jurisdiction or otherwise seeking direction on how to proceed on that agency's behalf.
 

Official missing persons reports will not be made in cases that do not meet the previously discussed criterion.  Prohibited reports include but are not limited to the following:

• Cases where the complainant knows that the adult has left voluntarily and there is no evidence that the person is otherwise endangered, yet the complainant wants the assistance of the Department in locating the individual. 
• Cases where the complainant wants to locate the individual so as to collect a debt, sue him/her, serve him or her with divorce papers, probate a will, etc.
• Cases where the complainant wants to locate a family member or friend with whom he/she has lost contact over an extended period of time.
• Cases when there is no nexus between the missing person and the City of Colorado Springs, unless requested by another law enforcement agency as an "outside agency assist" discussed previously.

When a missing persons report is made, the following information should be included:

§         The missing person’s full name, date of birth, social security number, and physical description.

§         Details of where and when they were last seen or heard from the circumstances of the disappearance.

§         Details of any vehicle that may be involved.

§         Any known travel plans or destinations.

§         Details of any persons in the company of the missing person.

§         A description of what the missing person was wearing.

§         A description of any unique physical or speech characteristics

§         Information of the dentist who has treated the missing person

§         Other information required by the Colorado Missing Persons Report Form
 

A "want" for a missing person that has been entered into NCIC/CCIC should be cancelled when one of the following occurs:

• The original complainant contacts the Department and indicates that the individual has returned, made contact, or the complainant has otherwise determined that the individual is no longer believed to be missing or endangered.  Identity of the complainant shall be established by the totality of the circumstances.
• The missing person is in contact with the Department or another law enforcement agency or other government entity and is determined to not be endangered.  Identity of the missing person shall be established by the totality of the circumstances.
• It has been determined that the original "want" was entered into violation of NCIC criterion.

Third-party requests to cancel a "want" by someone other than the complainant or the missing person shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  Ultimately, the decision as to whether to cancel the "want" in these latter cases shall rest with the on-duty supervisor who shall decide how to proceed based upon the credibility of the information as determined by the totality of the circumstances.

Whenever a "want" is cancelled for whatever reason, this fact shall be documented in the cases report along with the circumstances of the cancellation.
 

When making a missing persons report, the complainant shall be advised that if the missing person contact him / her to advise the Police Department promptly.

In some cases, the Social Security Administration can help make contact with a missing person when the person has been gone long enough to become employed elsewhere.  Unfortunately, Social Security cannot provide a relative with a missing person’s new address.  However, in some cases Social Security will forward that person a letter.  Individuals should be directed to call Social Security at 1-800-772-1212 to determine eligibility for the letter forwarding service and to ascertain if the social security number is active.

In more immediate cases, friends and family may hold the key.  The complainant can greatly assist the Department in its efforts doing the following:

§         Checking with missing person’s friends, school, neighbors, relatives, or anyone else who may know of their whereabouts.  Ask them to notify you if they hear from or see the missing person. 

§         Keeping a log of names, phone numbers, and addresses (if known) of everyone you talked to before and after reporting your loved one missing.  Note the information received and date of the contact in the event you need to get back to them for additional information.

§         Obtaining caller ID and log all calls, even hang up calls.  

§         Provide cell phone and land line phone bills belonging to the missing adult for any calls that may not be routine.

§         If the missing person uses a computer, provide the name of the Internet Service Provider to law enforcement. 

§         Retain personal items of the missing adult such as toothbrushes and hair brushes, razors, underwear, eyeglasses, dental molds, retainers, mouth guards, any other item worn frequently by the person, or items that only they have used.  Put these items in a paper bag in a secure place.  (These could provide a source of known DNA in the future).

§         Establish the missing adult’s habits.  Make a list of places they frequent and check for any sightings of the missing person there. 

§         If the missing adult was employed, check with their employer and inquire if the MA has picked up his / her last paycheck or left employment with direction on where to send their last paycheck. 

§         Check with the missing adult’s landlord to ascertain any problems that may have occurred at the place of residence.  Find out if rent has been paid or if the missing person has given notice to vacate.  If the missing person resides in another city or state, ask the local law enforcement agency to stop by and check on their welfare.

§         Check with the missing adult’s bank to establish if there has been any activity in the account.  It will be necessary for the complainant to emphasize his / her relationship with the missing person and the fact that you are not interested in the value of the account, but need to establish if there has been any activity after a certain date or if the account has been closed and transferred to another location.  Provide the name of the bank to law enforcement.

§         Provide the name and number of the missing adult’s dentist.

To make clear the methods and responsibilities for handling stolen vehicles; i.e., the reports, the pickups, and notifications to the vehicle owners.
 

G.O. 290, Towing and Impound Procedures
G.O. 831, Collection of Physical Evidence
CALEA Standards 61.4.3; 82.2.2
 

The officer who makes the case report on a stolen vehicle will see that a formal pickup is made as soon as possible. This shall be done immediately after the investigation either by going to the Records Section or by dictating a formal pickup to Records personnel by telephone.

Officers shall always complete the formal pickup before going off duty.

The pickup must be filled out completely. If the pickup does not contain the vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), it cannot be processed. The Records Section, in most cases, will be able to obtain the VIN for the officer while s/he waits, and then the officer can complete the pickup. Completion of the pickup is the responsibility of the reporting officer, not the Records personnel. If there are suspects to include with the vehicle pickup, be sure to cross-reference these suspects on the vehicle pickup. When the Records Section receives the formal pickup information, they shall type the formal pickup on the proper form and enter the vehicle into NCIC, CCIC and PDIC.
 

When a vehicle is both stolen and recovered within the jurisdiction of the Colorado Springs Police Department, but the owner cannot be contacted to ascertain his/her choice of a wrecker, the current Colorado Springs Police Department contract towing company shall be used, and the vehicle will be taken to the Colorado Springs Police Department Impound Lot, 2725 East Las Vegas Street. Vehicles stolen within the CSPD jurisdiction but recovered outside will be processed by the recovering agency. CSPD officers will not be dispatched to effect the recovery.

If the recovered vehicle has already been impounded by another law enforcement agency or has been picked up by another towing company, the officer receiving the information shall be responsible for making a report, noting the law enforcement agency impounding the vehicle, the location of the vehicle, the date and time the information was received and from whom, and whether or not the owner was notified.

The vehicle will be left in the custody of the recovering agency or at the towing company having possession of the vehicle, and the owner will be notified of its location by the officer making the report.

This will avoid a double tow bill for the owner.
 

To set policy and procedures for use of the Summons and Complaint. Procedures specifically related to its use for traffic violations are found in G.O. 210, Traffic Law Enforcement.

G.O. 210, Traffic Law Enforcement
G.O. 524, Juvenile Offenders
G.O. 740, Determining Probable Cause

Law enforcement officers and agencies have an obligation to respect the liberties of citizens, recognize the limitations of available detention space, and ensure the judicious use of public funds. Powers of arrest, therefore, should be used in a well-considered manner. Incarceration may often be a less suitable option than serve and release, and should be used only when less severe alternatives are inappropriate.

Serving and releasing a defendant, via a citation (Summons and Complaint), will be used as an alternative to physical arrest in all petty offense or misdemeanor arrest situations except those in which the arresting officer or the Department can articulate specific factors that make the "cite and release" process inappropriate. A Summons and Complaint (Citation) may be issued:

By any peace officer for an offense constituting a misdemeanor or a petty offense committed in his presence or, if not committed in his presence, which he has probable cause to believe was committed and probable cause to believe was committed by the person charged. (C.R.S. 16-2-104)

When a decision is made to issue a citation, officers will obtain adequate information to ensure that the person receiving the citation can be located later, in case of failure to appear.

When the circumstances surrounding an arrest allow for the issuance of a Summons and Complaint, the arresting officer should conduct a brief background investigation to determine if the arrested person should be cited and released.

This investigation should include, if the information is available, the following items:

• Adequate proof of identity
• Adequate proof of residence
• Length of time at present residence
• Occupation, employer and length of time employed
• Previous criminal record
• Marital and family status
• Any other facts that would assist the arresting officer in determining if a Summons and release is appropriate

While the various courts have different policies regarding such variables as transients, previous records, etc., a general rule guiding the decision on whether to release an arrestee, is found in section 16-3-105, C.R.S.

When a person has been arrested without a warrant, he may be released by the arresting authority on its own authority if...the offense for which the person was arrested and is being held is a misdemeanor or petty offense, and the arresting officer or a responsible Command Officer of the arresting authority is satisfied that the person arrested will obey a Summons commanding his appearance at a later date. If the person is released in accordance with these provisions, he shall be given a Summons and Complaint...and shall sign a written acknowledgment of its receipt and a promise to appear at the time and place specified.

Officers will hold defendants for bond, rather than serving and releasing, on petty and misdemeanor charges only after obtaining approval from a supervisor, unless specifically directed otherwise by a written directive.

When a person is arrested and booked but also has citable violations, no citations (Summons) shall be issued. Rather, all charges shall be levied at the time of booking.

Arraignments will be set in accordance with procedures established by the respective courts.

In order to facilitate record-keeping at both the municipal and state levels, traffic and criminal charges shall not be cited on the same Summons and Complaint. If a violator must be charged with both traffic and non-traffic violations, they shall be cited on separate Summonses.

For record-keeping purposes, any violation of Municipal Code Chapter 10, violations relating to traffic and vehicles, shall be considered as a traffic violation. All other Code violations shall be considered criminal violations.

Any violation of Article 42 of Colorado Revised Statutes relating to traffic and vehicles shall be considered a traffic violation with the following exceptions, which are criminal:

42-2-206: Driving after revocation prohibited

42-2-408: Unlawful acts-penalty (Identification cards)

42-5-103: Tampering with a motor vehicle

42-5-104: Theft of motor vehicle parts

Colorado Springs is a home-rule city.  By virtue of the decision to exercise these powers and enact traffic ordinances, the City Council has clearly established its desire for such matters to be handled in Municipal Court whenever practical.  Officers are bound by this determination of policy and are not free to substitute their own judgment in this area.

The only instances in which a traffic violator shall be cited into County Court on a State charge are when the violator is cited for one or more traffic violations for which there is no corresponding Municipal charge, when the violator is a City employee, when the violator is cited with compulsory insurance involving a traffic accident, or when the violator is cited for a traffic violation involving a traffic accident which causes bodily injury requiring emergency transport to the hospital.  Any exception to this policy will be cleared through a supervisor.

Traffic charges involving a juvenile will be made on a regular Summons and Complaint form with the exception of charges relating to Vehicular Homicide or Vehicular Assault.

Criminal charges involving violations of Municipal Ordinances will be made on a regular Summons and Complaint and set for Municipal Court.

Criminal charges involving violations of state statutes shall be made on a Juvenile Complaint and Referral form. In the case of related traffic charges, place the traffic charges on a regular Summons and Complaint form and set for county traffic court. Note the traffic charges and summons numbers in the case report for the criminal offense. (Exception: Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Assault and Illegal Possession/ Consumption of Ethyl Alcohol by Underage Person.)  Any criminal charges filed against a juvenile, into Juvenile Court (State Charges), must be accompanied by a separate offense report in addition to the summons.

Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault charges shall be made on the Juvenile Complaint and Referral section of a Summons and Complaint form and all related traffic charges shall be placed on the same summons.

Once a Summons and Complaint has been signed by a civilian and/or officer complainant, whether for traffic or criminal violations, it cannot and shall not be voided by any officer of the Department. However, circumstances do arise where a Summons and Complaint and its purpose demand review. Therefore, the following procedures apply:

If the Summons has been served on a defendant, the Summons cannot be canceled or voided by any officer of the Department, or the complaining witness, and can only be dismissed on a motion by the City or District Attorney in open court. Officers must also comply with 10.1.111 of the Municipal Code:

10.1.111: Illegal Cancellation of Summons or Notice:  It shall be unlawful for any person to cancel or solicit the cancellation of any traffic Summons or notice in any manner other than process of law.  

This does not preclude officers from providing information that may affect the outcome of charges filed. The officer should send a memorandum through the chain of command to the Division Commander for forwarding to the Court Liaison Officer, who will personally deliver the memorandum to the Chief Prosecuting Attorney of the appropriate court.

If a Summons and Complaint has not been served and the complainant no longer wishes to pursue the complaint, and it has already been sent to the Department's Records Section, the complainant must appear in the Department's Records Section with proper identification and sign the Summons and Complaint Cancellation Form in the presence of the Records Section Commander or designee. Note: This subparagraph does not apply to any Summons issued for an offense identified as domestic violence. In such cases the Department will take no action except to refer the person to the District Attorney.

If a Summons has not been served on the defendant and must be rewritten because it is improperly filled out, the officer shall complete a new Summons correctly and submit it. The officer should then attach all copies of the incorrect Summons to a completed Summons and Complaint Cancellation Form, describing the errors, and forward these to the Division Commander through the chain of command.

If a Summons has not been served and is returned to an officer because it does not contain sufficient information to identify a suspect, or because further investigation is not warranted, the officer should prepare a Summons and Complaint Cancellation Form outlining the reasons for cancellation, attach all copies of the Summons, and forward these to the Division Commander for action.

If a Summons and Complaint or written warning notice must be canceled or voided for any reason other than the above, the officer should prepare a Summons and Complaint Cancellation Form outlining the reasons for cancellation or voiding, attach all copies of the Summons, and forward these to the Division Commander for action.

The Records Section will retain the Department's copy of all Summonses and Parking Citations that have been canceled. All other copies of the Summons or Parking Citation, along with the cancellation forms, will be forwarded to the Violations Bureau for filing.

If a parking citation has not been issued, it may be cancelled by writing cancelled across the front of the ticket, with a brief explanation. 

If a parking ticket has been issued and needs to be cancelled, the Parking Citation Cancellation Request form should be used.

Individual supplies of summonses, written warning notices and parking citations will be obtained from designated issue points. The status of all issued summonses and citations shall be accounted for from the time of receipt to the time of turn in at the Data Entry Section.

The issuing person shall enter the following information into the summons accountability data base upon issuance of a book of summons and complaints, written warning notices or parking citations:

1.  Beginning and ending numbers of each book issued
2.  Receiving officer's ID and name
3.  ID and name of the receiving officer's supervisor
4.  Issuer's ID and name
5.  Summons status

When served, voided, or canceled summons and complaints, written warning notices or parking citations are received at the Data Entry Section, the status of each individual summons or citation shall be updated to reflect the current status.

Officers must account for each summons and citation. Do not destroy, cancel or void any summons or citation without following the procedures outlined in this General Order. Every month, each Division Commander shall receive a report of those summonses and citations that are six months old and have not been received by the Data Entry Section.

Division Commanders shall collect all summonses and citations that are six months old and cause them to be reissued to personnel who will expend them within the next six months.

Failure to produce unaccounted for summons and complaints, written warning notices or parking citations may result in disciplinary action.

To guide personnel in the use of the Automated Notification System in order to ensure effective and efficient command and control of resources.
 

The Automated Notification System (ANS) is a Police Department resource that uses computer technology to activate telephone communications with lists of individuals or telephone numbers in selected areas of the City. ANS consists of two computer programs:

• The Communicator that contacts individuals via telephone, wireless devices, pagers and or Fax machines.
• The Geo Notifier that calls all known telephone numbers in its files using a digital map of the City.

In support of the Police Department's commitment to Community Policing, the ANS is to be used to transmit real time Public Safety information to identified segments of the City, provide a call in bulletin board information service to the public, and augment Problem Oriented Policing projects.

Internally, the ANS is to be used to disseminate information to Department personnel.
 

The ANS Geo Notifier shall be used only for situations involving a direct threat to life.

Requests for Geo Notifier activation by officers in the field must be made to the shift supervisor or lead dispatcher. Non supervisory personnel must have authorization from their supervisor to request Geo Notifier activation.

Direct activation of either the ANS Communicator or Geo Notifier, from within the Communication Center, must be authorized by a Communications Shift Supervisor, the Communications Manager, or an appropriate sworn Supervisor.

Neither the Communicator nor the Geo Notifier is to be used for any for-profit activity, advertising of any product or service, political messages, or personal use.
 

ANS: Automated Notifications System, a computerized telephone-messaging device that makes calls via a digital map or rosters.

COMMUNICATOR: The ANS software package that uses rosters of individuals and businesses containing telephone numbers by which each can be contacted, and that permits remote recording of messages and activation.

GEO NOTIFIER: The Communicator software package in the ANS used to highlight an area of a digital map of the City to establish a call group of known telephone numbers in that area with a recorded message.

SCENARIOS: A numbered and titled set of individuals, Sections, Divisions, groups or businesses, formed with the file of rosters in the ANS.
 

System maintenance will be the responsibility of the System Administrator and designated Communications Section personnel.

In addition to all current policies and procedures, all personnel are required to be able to activate the Phone Number Update Scenario to keep all contact information current.
 

The ANS system is located in the Public Safety Communication Center. Two levels of security restrict access to ANS: System Administration, and System Use. System Administration access is limited to those authorized by the Communications Manager and or the ANS System Administrator. System Use access is authorized to all Supervisory and Communications Section personnel.
 

The ANS Communicator can be activated either from one of the networked terminals in the POC or remotely, via a touch tone telephone. Supervisory personnel shall use the remote activation of Communicator scenarios unless circumstances prevent it. Remote activation requires the use of an approved personal identification number (PIN).

The specific instructions for performing Communicator scenario activation will be located at each area command duty desk. These instructions will also be located at each ANS programmed PC in the Public Safety Communications Center. This information is to be used to assist Department members in their use of the system, by explaining the steps necessary for remote activation. Each activation of a scenario is to be recorded in the ANS Log Book, which is kept adjacent to the ANS computer in the Communications Center.

The ANS Communicator shall be used to make notifications of incidents and situations as required by General Order or SOP, and/or as authorized by the appropriate supervisor. Remote activation of the Communicator must be authorized by the appropriate sworn supervisor, or by the Communications Supervisors or Manager.

Note: Only the Communicator can be remotely activated.
 

The ANS Geo notifier can only be activated from one of the networked terminals in the communications center. Upon authorized request, or as directed, Communications personnel shall highlight the designated area to be called on the ANS digital map as requested. The message to be used in the notification shall be recorded into the Geo Notifier at the main ANS terminal. The specific content of all area notifications must be documented in writing, (i.e., Case Report, Interoffice Memo, etc.).  All communications section personnel are to be trained in the activation of Geo Notifier area notifications

Geo Notifier area notifications dealing with incidents of a specific duration require a follow-up notification to the same area to close out the alert or notice. These follow-up area notifications are the responsibility of the authorizing authority and will be performed by the Communications Section.

Decisions to make a Geo Notifier notification are to include consideration of:

• Time of day
• Unique situations and circumstances of the area selected for notification
• Worst case possibilities that could result from the notification

Every activation of an area notification is to be recorded in the ANS Log Book, kept adjacent to the ANS computer in the Communications Center.

Geo Notifier messages content is to be clear and concise in providing only objective information that would directly result in positive response to the public safety situation in question. Special attention must be paid to details or circumstances that may incite panic or unnecessary fear.
 

Activation of specific reports on ANS usage will be made available to supervisory personnel only as requested.

To establish and set policies and procedures for Direct Line Reporting (DLR) and Internet Crime Reporting (ICR), alternate police report taking processes.

The Direct Line Reporting and Internet Crime Reporting programs is are an important tools that allows the Colorado Springs Police Department to improve its ability to provide prompt and responsive service to its citizens while efficiently utilizing manpower for calls that may require a more immediate officer response.   This These programs is are designed to provide the citizens of Colorado Springs an efficient alternate methods of reporting incidents that require a police report.  

In order to implement the Telephone DLR and ICR programs, Officers are assigned to work out of the Public Safety Communications Center and take qualified case reports instead of having Officers dispatched to the scene.  

DLR : Direct Line Reporting, a program by which specified call types and incidents can be received and documented via telephone or counter-reporting.  

ICR: Internet Crime Reporting, a program by which specified call types and incidents can be received and documented via the internet.    

Telephone DLR: Police reports taken by an Officer via telephone in accordance with the procedures of the DLR program.

1. There is no known suspect or specific suspect information available
2. An incident must not be in-progress
3. There is no physical evidence present
4. The Reporting Party is not under the age of 16
5. There is no apparent physical injury

The following guidelines are to be used when determining if a call for service may be reported either through DLR or ICR.  If any of the following conditions exist, an officer should be sent.   

Only the following call types and incidents are qualified for DLR and/or ICR reporting:
                 

1. Bike Theft: These include those taken from structures. DLR & ICR
2. Burglary (Cold): – All Third Degree Burglaries (i.e. vending machines), and
   Second Degree Burglaries from open attached garages, open or unlocked detached garages, or any shed regardless of lock/unlocked/open/closed will be taken. DLR & ICR
3. Criminal Mischief (Cold): – (i.e. damage to property, etc.) DLR & ICR
4. Traffic Accident HR (Cold): – (Internet and Automated DLR only) Private Property and/or incidents without any suspect information or physical evidence.
   Lost or Stolen Property: -- DLR & ICR
5. Gas Drive Offs: (Businesses only) ICR only
6. Motor Vehicle Theft (Cold): - (Telephone DLR only) When reported by registered owner. DLR only
7. Supplement to Case: (i.e. burglary) DLR only 
8. Theft From Vehicle (Cold): Cold with no suspect information  DLR & ICR
9. Theft (Cold): to include theft of auto parts, construction thefts and shoplifts with no suspect information. DLR & ICR 
10.  Assault (Cold): Taken from adult RP s only, no apparent physical injury, not a domestic situation, not requiring medical attention and no weapon involved.   Send Officer for photographs if necessary. DLR only
11.  Harassments: (Telephone DLR only) Obscene, harassing or threatening phone calls where the caller does not believe they are in imminent danger (excluding domestic situations) DLR only
12.  Trespass: (Telephone DLR only) When only telephone verbal warning is requested.  DLR only
13.  Runaway Validation: (Telephone DLR only) The Records and Identification Section receives a monthly printout of runaways that NCIC wants confirmed or validated. A supplemental form, to record the activity of validating the runaways, is found on the library drive in the templates folder named "Runaway." Officers working direct-line reporting should attempt to contact the reporting party to determine if the NCIC entry is still valid, or if the runaway has been located or returned. If the runaway has been located and returned, then the officer shall complete a supplement and ensure that the pick-up has been cancelled. If the entry is still valid, then the officers will use the supplemental form and indicate that the person is still missing.
    Fraud/Identity Theft (Cold): - (Telephone DLR only) DLR only
14.  Miscellaneous Insurance reports: DLR only
15.  Incarcerated Victims:  Any crime in which the victim is incarcerated in the El Paso County jail or correctional facility.  Those crimes reported with suspect information will be assigned for follow-up upon review by a patrol supervisor.

The Patrol Bureau is responsible for staffing the DLR program Telephone function.   The staffing schedule for the Telephone DLR function is set by, and can be modified by the Deputy Chief of Patrol.

The traffic enforcement objectives of the Colorado Springs Police Department are to reduce traffic accidents and to aid in the safe and expeditious flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The department seeks to achieve these objectives through a combination of effective enforcement, public education, and cooperation with the City's Traffic Engineer.

Although the department maintains specialized traffic motor units, every officer on the department shares in the responsibility for traffic enforcement, just as every officer assigned to Traffic Motors also has the duty to enforce criminal laws.

The following guidelines are to be followed in traffic enforcement:

Officers shall take appropriate enforcement action whenever a violation is detected. This includes provable violations determined through accident investigation, as well as those violations observed by the officer.

Juveniles involved in traffic offenses will be treated as adults, except in cases where the filing of felony charges is possible.

Military personnel and non-residents involved in traffic offenses will be handled in the same manner as other traffic violators.

Handling of transients shall be in accordance with the guidelines established by the respective courts of jurisdiction.

Handling of Foreign Diplomats or Consular Officials shall be in accordance with G.O. 560, Diplomatic and Legislative Immunity.

Parking regulations shall be effectively enforced and shall be provided as a service to the public to assure all citizens of proper time and use of available street space.

Any officer learning of, or observing, any hazardous condition that requires immediate attention or repair shall notify Communications.  Communications will ensure prompt notification of appropriate agencies (such as street/highway departments and/or public utilities) to effect emergency repairs or restore essential services and assist in removal of debris from the roadway.

A problem condition may exist that enforcement action cannot correct; for example: design, traffic education, or engineering deficiencies. In such cases, officers should:

• Recognize the problem
• Report minor maintenance problems, such as downed signs and inoperative lights, to Communications for notification of the proper agency 
• Document problems, other than minor maintenance, to formally establish the department's awareness of the problem
• Forward the documentation to the shift lieutenant who shall act as liaison with groups involved with traffic safety

Complete rules of procedure for traffic stops are not possible, as situations vary widely. Some general guidelines, however, if combined with law enforcement experience and common sense, can reduce risks to officers and to violators.

Officers in marked vehicles making traffic stops should attempt to direct the violator to a suitable stopping point. The following should be considered in making stops:

Location: When choosing a location to stop the violator, keep in mind lighting conditions, visibility to other motorists, traffic flow, and escape routes. If the violator does not stop in accordance with the directions, the violator can be asked to move the vehicle to a more appropriate location after the initial contact.

Do not block private driveways and accesses to businesses or residential areas by a traffic stop when you can avoid doing so. If this is not possible, make reasonable efforts to minimize the inconvenience.

If a traffic contact has to be made at a hazardous location, assist drivers to get safely back into the traffic flow.

Positioning of Vehicles: Park behind and slightly to the left of the violator's vehicle when possible and practical, thereby providing yourself some cover in the event of a sudden confrontation. Additionally, this leaves you a space protected from other traffic when making contact with the violator.

Use of Emergency Lights: In order to give as much warning as possible to other motorists, use your available emergency lighting. These lights are also extremely useful in marking your location if you should need assistance.

During hours of darkness, use your available lights (e.g., spot light, high beams and "take-down" lights if available) to illuminate the interior of the violator's vehicle as much as possible. Additionally, these lights can provide you a certain amount of concealment during your approach to the violator.

Notification of Communication Center: Prior to initiating a stop, officers should inform Communications of the vehicle type, license number, projected location of the traffic stop, and occupant information if pertinent. This allows the officer to concentrate solely on the actions of the occupants once the vehicle is stopped, and it allows for Communications to relay pertinent information about the vehicle prior to the officer exiting the vehicle. Additionally, if possible, write the vehicle information down before contacting the violator, thereby providing some information if you should become incapacitated during the stop.

Use caution in approaching the violator's vehicle. Safety procedures include checking other traffic before exiting the police vehicle, watching the violator and passenger actions inside the vehicle, and proper positioning at the violator's vehicle while contacting the occupants.

You should usually make the contact on the driver's side of the vehicle, but some situations may call for contact to be made on the passenger side. If contacting on the driver's side, you should stand immediately behind the rear edge of the driver's door, or at least at a position slightly behind the driver. This requires the driver to turn off-balance to talk to you and, thus, gives you a physical advantage as well as a vantage point to observe activity in the rear seat. Additionally, standing outside the trajectory of the door will prevent injury in the event the violator opens the door abruptly.

While approaching the violator, special attention should be given to activity in and around the vehicle, such as driver and passenger movements. One helpful tactic is to check the trunk or side of the vehicle by touch. Often an officer can feel movement when movement cannot otherwise be detected. Also, by touching the vehicle, you leave an identifiable print on the vehicle.

While approaching the vehicle, you should try to keep your weapon hand free, and if carrying a flashlight, it should be held away from your body. Keeping the flashlight in this position can distract the violator from your actual location and position. After having determined that the stop is a "safe" traffic stop, you may elect to move forward of the driver's window and complete the contact facing the driver. This also permits better visual contact with traffic in the adjacent lane.

Driver Contact: Upon initial contact, you should tell the violator why s/he is being contacted, obtain driver's license, registration, and insurance information, and explain what action you intend to take, i.e., citation, warning, etc. Do this courteously but briefly, and do not argue with the violator about guilt or innocence. You should complete the contact quickly without delaying the violator any longer than is necessary. Whenever appropriate, you should help the violator get back into traffic safely.

Traffic violation enforcement is one of many routine police tasks. For violators, however, it frequently is an emotionally traumatic experience. In many cases, this is the only contact that a person has with this department. Officers should be aware of these conditions and should strive to make each contact educational and to leave the violator with the impression that the officer has performed a necessary task in a professional and friendly manner. 

Racial/ethnic/gender status may form part of the basis for making a stop only if there is specific suspect descriptor information that justifies doing so.

The officer should respond calmly to confrontation. Professional law enforcement officers do not permit their own emotional responses to a violator to affect their judgment or actions, and penalties or bonding requirements shall neither be imposed nor withheld on such grounds.

Often officers make contact with vehicle occupants (via traffic stops) and pedestrians in order to verify that they are, or are not, the vehicle or person being sought. The officer should always maintain a courteous attitude toward the person stopped, consistent with officer safety. If the vehicle or individual stopped doesn't match, or is determined not to have been involved, then the officer must break contact in just as professional a manner as the initial contact. Therefore, how this person is treated after the initial contact but before it is terminated, is extremely important.

After it has been determined that the individual was not the party being sought, officers should take the time to explain why it was necessary to stop them; also to explain the reason for the manner of stop, i.e. felony versus non-felony stops. A brief explanation that their vehicle, clothing, description, proximity to the call, etc., matched the information the officer had at the time and warranted contact to verify if they were involved.

The importance of incorporating such persons as our partners in maintaining public safety cannot be overemphasized. We must always be willing to explain in these situations why we stopped them, and thank them for their cooperation with us. If it appears desirable, the officer can provide the party with the name and phone number of the on-duty supervisor (duty desk number) for verification.

Parties react differently to contacts with police so an officer should be sure that the person is "okay" and calm enough to continue on their way. Officers should also provide the individual with the description of the individual(s) and/or vehicle(s) being sought and the 444-7000 phone number, as well as the officer's cellular voice mail phone number and case report number if it has been assigned. This gives them a sense of involvement as one of our community partners and provides us with an extra pair of eyes.

As a final note, officers should thank individuals for their cooperation and apologize for the minor inconvenience while reminding them that the stop was necessary and important for their safety as a member of, or visitor to, our community. If necessary, Oofficers should log the stop on their Daily Activity Report (log sheet) and fill out a Field Interview Report (FIR)., if necessary. In case no enforcement action is taken, a business card will be provided.

Officers should be aware of the many possible influences on a violator's behavior, such as alcohol, drugs, and emotional problems. With this in mind, the following should serve as a guide when contacting a traffic violator:

Any officer who contacts a driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs shall assess the driver's ability to operate the motor vehicle safely before the driver is released. The officer may shall utilize Standard Field Sobriety Training that each officer has obtained from the department. The assessment could should include Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus evaluation (if certified in its use), the walk and turn, and the one-leg stand.other field sobriety tests recommended by the department, pPreliminary breath-testing (PBT) may be used, but the decision to arrest must not be based solely on the results of the PBT. or any combination of these techniques. It is the officer's responsibility to maintain proficiency in administering these evaluations.

The officer should use courtesy, discretion and good judgment in dealing with intoxicated persons. If the driver is arrested for a driving offense related to alcohol or drugs, the officer should comply with state motor vehicle laws, regulations, and department procedures in processing the driver for the offense.

If the officer is unable to determine whether the person is intoxicated, mentally distressed, or fatigued, the officer should use discretion in making alternate arrangements for the person to prevent driving before recovery from the impairment.

The officer shall also make arrangements for proper disposition of any intoxicated passengers; e.g., taxi, Detox, or calling a friend for a ride.

The driver of the vehicle will have a choice on disposition of the vehicle. Choices to be considered are C.S.P.D. Impound Lot, requested towing company, or having the officer park the vehicle legally, at the scene, and secure it.

The driver will be released on signature of summons for court unless circumstances conflict with other directives of this department.

Impaired drivers shall be released to some responsible person who can ensure their well-being, and who agrees to do so, until the drivers are capable of taking care of themselves. If no one is available, the officer should consider Detox or County Jail as an alternative to release.

Although it is each officer's responsibility to recognize a violation and to take enforcement action, proper enforcement does not always involve a citation. In many instances, the ends of justice and the object of enforcement are adequately served by issuing a written warning. The courtesy traffic warning should be used for non-hazardous violations that did not contribute to an accident, such as minor speeding violations (less than 10 mph over the posted speed limit and not in a construction or school zone), tail light or stop light burned out, headlight burned out, failure to sign an Affirmation of Insurance, no registration in vehicle, or other minor equipment violations or administrative violations. When using the courtesy traffic warning, a copy of the citation should be given to the offender which includes all the basic information regarding the traffic contact and the officers identifying information. In instances where a written warning is given, the officer does not have to provide a business card documenting the stop. The original copy of the traffic warning will be submitted to Data Entry for record keeping purposes. In instances where a higher priority call for service prevents the completion of a written warning, officers are authorized to break off the traffic contact and issue a verbal warning in a courteous manner and tone of voice and document the stop on a business card. This action should not be taken except in worthy cases, determined by considering the circumstances of the violation. Deliberate violations of the traffic laws do not deserve leniency. Warnings shall be given in a courteous manner and tone of voice. When a warning is given, it will be in a firm, efficient, and courteous manner.

In the case of multiple violations, it shall be the officer's discretion to cite or give a verbal warning for any, or all of the violations.

General instructions on usage of the citation, or Summons and Complaint, are found in G.O. 170, Citations . The following instructions are supplementary to those and are specifically related to traffic violations.

The purpose of enforcing traffic laws is to affect the violator in such a manner that the violation will not occur again, thereby making the roadways safer and reducing traffic accidents. The following procedures shall govern the enforcement of traffic laws by issuance of citations.

When issuing a citation to a violator, an officer should explain the appearance requirements even though they are printed on the citation. Unsafe vehicles shall be cited and the driver advised to discontinue use of the vehicle until it is repaired or properly equipped. Unsafe vehicles may be impounded if conditions warrant.

The officer issuing a citation should use the back of the appropriate copies for making notes about a violation. The notes should include:

• Road Conditions: loose material, road work, width, surface conditions, engineering deficiencies
• The number, sex and location of passengers in the vehicle
• Details of the violation itself
• Pertinent remarks of the driver
• Characteristics of the driver which may assist in court identification
• Officer's location and direction of travel when violation was observed
• Any other pertinent details

When a traffic violator refuses to sign a citation, the officer should make it as clear as possible that in signing the driver is not admitting guilt but only promising to appear in court. Make sure the violator understands that the promise to appear is not an admission of guilt but that the penalty assessment notice, if signed, is an admission of guilt.

Violators with Colorado Driver's License:
The refusal of a traffic violator who has a valid Colorado driver's license to sign a traffic summons or penalty assessment notice shall not constitute reason for a department officer to arrest the traffic violator and require the violator to post bond.

Officers dealing with a traffic violator refusing to sign a summons or penalty assessment notice shall write "Refused to Sign" on the defendant's signature line and serve the violator the appropriate copy.

Violators Without Colorado Driver's License:
If the traffic violator does not possess a valid Colorado driver's license, the violator will be required to sign the defendant's line promising to appear. If the violator refuses to sign the traffic summons or penalty assessment notice and, as specified, does not have a valid Colorado driver's license, the violator may be required to post bond. If the violation is a traffic infraction, the violator cannot be made to post bond.

The final decision to require bond of a violator who refuses to sign a citation shall be made by a supervisor. If the officer reasonably believes that the violator will not appear as required, and refusal to sign a promise to make such appearance lends credibility to the belief, then the supervisor must be contacted to decide if the violator should be taken into custody to post bond.

If the traffic violator does not have a driver's license in his/her possession and no record of a valid license is found, officers should exhaust all reasonable means of determining the license status of the violator. However, in the event the status cannot be determined, or the violator is not properly certified to drive, the violator should not be allowed to drive any further. Appropriate summonses should be completed in accordance with G.O. 170, Citations and the violator's vehicle should be handled within the guidelines of G.O. 290, Towing and Impound Procedures.

Drivers who hold a valid driver's license from any state or country (verified through the Department of Revenue) and have no restrictions against their driving privilege in Colorado, but do not have the document in their possession, can be allowed to drive.

Those drivers whose driving privileges have been suspended, revoked, or denied in Colorado should not be allowed to drive.

In the course of an officer's related activities, he/she may identify certain individuals that have a physical, mental, or other condition, that prevents or limits that individual from exercising adequate care and/or operation of a motor vehicle. In cases where the officer feels it is necessary to request administrative action from the Department of Motor Vehicles, the following procedure shall apply:

The Officer should complete the Colorado Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division, Request For Driver License Re-Examination form (DR2536) and forward it to his/her supervisor. In addition to reports/summonses related to the action or incident for which the motorist was contacted, the actual or suspected impairments should also be documented.

Officers who encounter a motorist in need of assistance should stop to assist that motorist. In instances where the motorist is stranded in a location that is dangerous to either the motorist or the public, the officer will make every attempt to assist unless the officer is assigned to a high priority call.

Officers may assist these motorists by calling for the fire department to assist with fire, illnesses or injuries. They may transport a motorist, with supervisory approval, to a safe location where the motorist may secure assistance. The officer may have dispatch contact a specific tow company requested by the motorist or arrange through dispatch for a private tow from the rotating list. Officers may also assist the motorist by calling a friend or taxi, pushing the vehicle from the roadway or taking other necessary action.

During special events or unusual occurrences, the direction of traffic at a location may require traffic signal operations to be modified. To facilitate traffic flow, City Traffic Engineering Division's Signals Section can be called to modify a traffic signal to facilitate traffic movement or re-route traffic at a control point. The modification may be possible by computer from the Traffic Management Center or a field technician may need to respond to the scene.  The on-scene supervisor or special events coordinator will be responsible for determining if such measures are warranted. Considerations for this would include prolonged interruptions of the normal flow of traffic.

The City of Colorado Springs Utilities Company can also respond to control points, and temporary barriers can be put in place to aid with traffic direction. If a traffic signal cycle is modified or temporary barriers are put in place to alleviate traffic congestion or modify traffic flow, arrangements must be made before reopening the control point to return the traffic signal to its normal cycle and to remove any temporary barriers, barricades or signs from the roadway.

Officers have discretion to remove such barricades or barriers and place them out of traffic lanes for later pickup. As the City of Colorado Springs has a computerized traffic control system, officers or other untrained personnel should not attempt to adjust or modify any signal.

When conducting manual traffic direction and control, all members will utilize uniform hand signals and gestures that will not confuse vehicular or pedestrian traffic. To assure standardization, members will use only the techniques approved through the Training Section for traffic direction and control.

The following illustrations and descriptions are examples of uniform hand signals and gestures that are approved for use:

To stop traffic, you should first turn to stand with your shoulder and side toward the traffic to be halted. Look directly at the driver of the car to be stopped, and extend your arm and index finger toward the driver. Then raise your hand at the wrist, so that the palm faces the driver. This position should be held while sounding one long blast of your whistle.

To start traffic, you should first turn to stand with your shoulder and side toward the traffic to be started. Look directly at the driver of the car to be started, and extend your arm and index finger toward the driver. Sound two short blasts on the whistle. Then swing your pointing arm, from the shoulder only, upward through a vertical semi-circle. Repeat this gesture as appropriate to continue smooth traffic flow.

In both stopping and starting traffic, you should always take into consideration the volume of traffic flow, natural breaks in traffic, and any other considerations (such as weather or roadway conditions) that may affect a driver's ability to proceed safely. Special care should be taken to ensure that turning traffic is safely controlled.

All department officers, when directing vehicular traffic, shall wear a reflective vest or other high-visibility clothing to increase officer safety and recognition by drivers.

Exception: Exigent circumstances may cause a reflective vest or high-visibility clothing to become a hindrance to law enforcement functions. Department supervisors may grant exceptions for special situations; for example, traffic control at a TEU call-out, sniper attacks, emergency calls for service.

Officers should take prompt and proper police action when laws are violated. However, some situations may call for delayed enforcement action for certain traffic violations. These situations usually occur when a citizen is making an emergency response in a non-emergency vehicle.

Officer discretion must be used in determining when delayed enforcement is advisable, as all possible contingencies cannot be foreseen. Some examples of applicable situations are furnished here to serve as guidelines:

• A physician or nurse making an emergency response to a hospital or clinic.
• Volunteer fireman responding to a call, if the requirements for emergency equipment as called for in CRS 42-4-213 219 are met.
• City personnel responding to an emergency situation (e.g., explosion or power outage).
• A citizen responding to a hospital or clinic because of a medical emergency.
  

The following guidelines shall govern officers' actions when delayed enforcement is chosen:

• Advise the violator of the violation
• Advise the violator that a summons will be issued, but s/he will be allowed to proceed to his/her destination
• Obtain all the necessary information to re-contact the violator, if necessary
• Follow the violator, if in city limits, to his/her destination. Complete and issue the summons
• If the delay is lengthy or the violator's destination is out of the city, arrange for a date, time and place to issue the summons
• An officer shall give a verbal warning to the violator if appropriate. The officer's decision to cite should be based on whether the nature of the emergency is more significant than the traffic hazard to the public

G.O. 231, Counter Reports
G.O. 232, Hit and Run Accident Investigation
G.O. 234, Fatal or Serious Injury Accidents
G.O. 250, Accidents Involving Department Members
G.O. 290, Towing and Impound Procedures
SOP P1-152 Interstate 25 Incident Management
CALEA Standards 61.2.1; 61.2.2; 61.2.3; 61.2.4; 61.3.2; 82.2.1; 82.2.4; 83.2.6
 

Use of consistent methodology in investigating traffic accidents is essential to ensure that proper action is taken for each kind of accident. This General Order provides guidelines for accident investigation in general. Specialized procedures, as listed under paragraph .02 above, will be followed for the accidents to which they pertain.
 

Upon arrival at the scene of an accident, an officer shall:

Take all necessary actions to prevent the accident from becoming worse. This includes determining the need for additional assistance, caring for injured persons and protecting property.  Officers should attempt to get the vehicles involved in an accident removed from the roadway as expeditiously as possible when the accident causes a disruption to the traffic flow or creates a traffic hazard.  The exception to this would be serious injury or fatality accidents or where there is obvious city liability.  When responding to I-25 accidents where the vehicles involved are capable of being driven, the drivers should be directed to drive to, and meet at, a location off the interstate where the investigation and report can be completed.

Determine classification of accident:

• Fatal
• Evident incapacitating injury
• Evident non-incapacitating injury
• Complaint of injury
• Non injury
  
• Fatality Incapacitating injury Non-incapacitating injury Non-injury.Hit and run

Follow appropriate procedures for each classification of accident.

If the Fire Department is called to assist at an accident scene, the investigating police officer at the scene shall be in charge.
 

The following steps should be taken in the course of an accident investigation to assure proper documentation and handling:

• Locate and identify all drivers involved in an accident. If a Traffic Investigator is assigned, the first officer on the scene will, if possible, obtain driver's licenses, registrations and proofs of insurance from the drivers involved, and will hold them for the Traffic Investigator.

Make diagrams on all serious injury and fatality accidents. Diagrams will also be made on all City-owned property accidents when a Colorado Investigator's Traffic Accident Report Form, DR 447, is completed and there is obvious city liability.

• Locate all witnesses, if possible. If a Traffic Investigator is assigned to the accident, the first officer at the scene will be responsible for having witnesses fill out written statements.
  
• Observe driver's physical condition. If a driver appears to be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, the appropriate procedure shall be followed.
  
• Note all physical conditions at the accident scene. Take accurate measurements and obtain all that is necessary for a diagram.  Obtain necessary scene measurements to document in the narrative or in the diagram.
  
• Obtain all physical and photographic evidence necessary to clarify the chain of events that produced the accident.
  
• Check the scene and area for hazards and defects in the road, lighting, signs, signals, etc. The investigating officer has the responsibility to see that debris from the accident is cleared from the roadway.

If city property has been damaged in the accident, Communications is to be notified of the type of city property damaged and its location. In such cases, the investigating officer shall obtain liability insurance information, including, if known, the name of the company, policy number and local agent from the responsible driver(s).

The investigating officer shall notify Communications of any existing hazardous condition that requires immediate attention or repair.

Vehicles involved in the accident should be checked for defects, mechanical or otherwise, which may have contributed to the accident. If a defect is found that would make the vehicle unsafe to drive, it will be towed from the scene.

Investigating officers will complete or have the involved drivers fill out and exchange the Department collision information form.

In accidents involving unattended vehicles or property, it is the investigating officer's responsibility to properly notify the owner of the vehicle or property in person or in writing. Notification shall include the date, time and location, and the accident report number.

If accident victims are unable to take custody of their personal property at the scene, the investigating officer is responsible for assuring that the items are properly protected. If no authorized person can assume custody of such items, the investigating officer shall follow the same procedures as for personal items found in impounded vehicles; i.e., make an inventory and enter the items as personal property on a Custodian's Invoice. The officer shall further assure that the owner is properly notified.
 

Traffic supervisors in each area command will review all traffic accident reports completed by officers assigned to their division and  Supervisors will review all traffic accident reports submitted to them and ensure that reports are properly completed and submitted according to section .30 of this policy.  Upon completion of the review, supervisors will initial and date the upper right hand corner of the accident report.  Reviewed reports will then be forwarded through interoffice mail to the Data Entry Major Accident Unit.
 

Documentation of a traffic accident is made on the State accident report form.  For uniformity, the following procedures are mandatory:

Any accident report that may result in a vehicular assault, or vehicular homicide charge, or that involves serious injury will be dictated for typing or typed by the investigating officer.  Diagrams will be drawn to scale. 

In accidents involving minor injury or damage, the report may be handwritten or dictated.  The diagram need not be drawn to scale, unless City property has been damaged.If more than two vehicles and/or pedestrians, or more than 8 injured occupants are involved, additional standard State Accident Report Forms will be used.  If the report is handwritten, it shall be written the entire report, with supplements, shall be handwritten in non-water base black ink.  If the report is typed, all supplements shall be typed.
 

The Department of Revenue has established a manual of acceptable forms that shall be submitted to the State as part of an accident report. Any accident documentation on CSPD forms (e.g., witness statement form, driver statement form, supplement form , etc.) can be used and will be entered in the Department’s CRIS system, but will not be forwarded to the State as a part of the accident report.

The narrative description is based on the officer's investigation. Witness statements and driver statements shall be obtained, however, are not to be included in the narrative.

Traffic accident reports shall be completed following the guidelines established in the Investigating Officer's Traffic Accident Reporting Manual.Statements from the drivers of the vehicles are not required unless there is a difference of opinion between drivers of what occurred and there is a lack of physical evidence or independent witnesses.

Statements from drivers and witnesses to the accident may will be taken, but will not be included in the narrative. The name, address and telephone number of the witnesses will be included at the end of the narrative.

All street names will be complete, including avenue, street, drive, lane, etc. Named streets will be in alphabetical order. Numbered streets will be used first and sequentially.All north-south alleys will assume the name and hundred block of the street to the west of the alley.  All east-west alleys will assume the name and hundred block of the street to the north of the alley.

In classifying traffic accidents by location (intersection or non-intersection), the following criteria will be utilized:

• Accidents that occur within the confines of the legal definition of an intersection will be classified as intersection collisions. Note that, by City ordinance, the junction of an alley with a street is not considered an intersection, and in reports should be considered similar to a driveway.

When factors contributing to the collision are related to an intersection, the intersection should be used as the location. Accidents typical of this type might involve vehicles that are struck while waiting for a traffic signal to change or an accident in which a pedestrian is struck in proximity to a crosswalk.

• Accidents that are not within the confines of the legal definition of an intersection (e.g., approach to intersection, related to an intersection (e.g., driveways, parked cars, fixed objects) will be classified according to the hundred block in which the collision occurs and include the distance in the number of feet from the nearest permanent reference point, preferably the nearest cross street  
  • For Example: (200 E. Rio Grande Street – 125 feet east of Nevada Avenue)
• Private property accidents shall use the exact business address of the property instead of the hundred block
  • For Example: ( 707 S. 8th St. for the Walmart parking lot)
• I-25 accidents shall use the milepoint (MP) to the hundredth decimal place for all I-25 locations except for ramp locations
  • For Example: (NB I-25 MP 145.50 for the location between Fillmore and Garden of the Gods; NB I-25 off-ramp at Fillmore St. for an accident in the intersection of the off-ramp and Fillmore; and NB I-25 off-ramp 200 feet south of Fillmore St. for an accident on the ramp approaching Fillmore St.)

Measurements are required for all accidents when evidence is present, e.g. skid marks, point of impact, point of rest, etc.  If the path measurements are included in the narrative they do not need to be included again in the diagram.  Measurements should include pre-impact marks, point of impact marks, post impact tire marks, and uncontrolled positions of rest.

Diagrams are required for all accidents completed by Department members when the injury severity is classified as evident incapacitating injury or fatal.  except for accidents classified under $1000, private property, non-injury and private property, or minor injury accidents. Diagrams need not be drawn to scale but should be proportional. 

To establish and set policies and procedures for an alternate police traffic accident report taking process, counter (cold) reporting.

The counter reporting program allows citizens an alternative to report traffic accidents directly to the Department of Revenue (DOR) under certain circumstances. The two methods of reporting include internet reporting on the computer and counter-reporting with forms available on-line or at the divisional substations. The department does not accept or maintain counter accident reports. The reports are mailed by citizens or submitted on line directly to the Department of Revenue (DOR).

The Public Safety Communication Section may refer drivers to counter report an accident when the criteria for counter reporting are met due to accident alert status, private property, or minor damage.

An officer that is dispatched or arrives at the scene of a traffic accident may refer drivers to counter report when the criteria for counter reporting are met due to accident alert status, private property, or minor damage.

Citizens may file a counter report with the State of Colorado by going directly to the CSP Website https://crash.state.co.us/ or by going to http://www.springspolice.com  website to access counter reporting instructions and forms.

All divisional substations shall maintain copies of the State Accident Report DR-447-E with the CSPD instructions available for walk-in traffic desiring to counter report a traffic accident.

Accident Alert: Accident Alert is the procedure to suspend the investigation of certain types of traffic accidents due to weather and road conditions or manpower limitations.

Counter Reporting: Counter reporting is the procedure a citizen utilizes to complete and submit a traffic accident report directly to the State of Colorado that is not investigated by law enforcement.

Online Reporting:  Online reporting is the use of the Colorado State Patrol website https://crash.state.co.us to complete the counter report.

Private Property: Private Property for accident investigation purposes is property that is not included in the traffic way. It is property not maintained or regulated by state or local transportation departments.  When an accident starts on a public roadway or highway (i.e., ran off the road on to private property) the accident is not considered a private property accident.

When the department activates or cancels the accident alert status it will be done simultaneously in all area commands. The decision to activate or discontinue the accident alert status will be done by a shift commander, his/her designee or the Public Safety Communication Section supervisor.

The decision shall be based on a variety of criteria to include the roadway and weather conditions throughout the city, the backlog of traffic accidents and others calls for service, the current and future staffing levels in each area command, and the weather forecast. Shift commanders shall attempt to communicate with each other to decide on the activation and cancellation of the accident alert status to avoid multiple changes of the accident alert status.  

An Enhanced Tactical Communication System (ETACS) entry shall be made by the supervisor that makes the decision to activate or cancel the accident alert status. The ETACS will serve as a media notification of the accident alert status.   

Citizens shall be directed to counter report their traffic accident when accident alert is activated and the following criteria is met:

• No fatality or injury requiring medical attention and transport to a hospital by ambulance was sustained by any person(s) involved in the accident
• No driver involved in the accident is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• No damage to any public property (a road sign, utility pole, etc.) other than wildlife
• No driver left the scene prior to exchanging the necessary information
• No driver failed to provide valid license, registration, and insurance information
• No Colorado Springs City vehicle in motion is involved     

When damage to any vehicle requires a wrecker, a counter report can still be made providing the above criteria is met.

Drivers involved in an accident on private property  shall be directed to counter report when the following criteria is met:

• No fatality or injury requiring medical attention and transport to a hospital by ambulance was sustained by any person(s) involved in the accident
• No driver involved in the accident is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs 
• No damage to any public property (a road sign, utility pole, etc.) other than wildlife
• No severe damage to another's property; e.g., vehicle through a building
• No driver left the scene prior to exchanging the necessary information
• No driver failed to provide valid license, registration, and insurance information 

Hit and run accidents involving an unoccupied, parked vehicle on a city street or on private property, and hit and run accidents involving property damage, to include city property, shall be counter reported unless: 

• The suspect driver is known by name
• The suspect vehicle can be described to include the license plate number
• The location of the suspect vehicle or suspect driver is known

The Colorado State Patrol website at https://crash.state.co.us  does not allow the on-line reporting of hit and run accidents. Vehicle owners, owners with property damage, or victims of a hit and run accident without suspect information as listed above, must utilize the DR-447 available with instructions at the area commands of the police department or on the CSPD website.

Drivers may choose to counter report a traffic accident that occurs on a city street that involves minor damage, with the apparent amount of damage to any one vehicle or other property being less than $1,000, and all of the following criteria are met:

• No fatality or injury requiring medical attention and transport to a hospital by ambulance was sustained by any person(s) involved in the accident
• No driver involved in the accident is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs 
• No damage to any public property (a road sign, utility pole, etc.) other than wildlife
• No driver left the scene prior to exchanging the necessary information
• No driver failed to provide valid license, registration, and insurance information
• No one insists that the police respond

• Obtain and broadcast a description of the run vehicle, its driver and occupants, as soon as possible.
• Concentrate on witnesses who can identify the driver and vehicle.
• Thoroughly check the scene for any physical evidence. Make note in the report of all evidence found and turned in to the Evidence Unit Custodian's Office as detailed in G.O. 831, Collection of Physical Evidence.
• Conduct a neighborhood check for additional witnesses and information.
• Obtain home and work telephone numbers of victims, witnesses, suspects (i.e. anyone involved in the investigation).

Location: Where was the witness in relation to the point of impact?  Could the witness have seen what took place?

Observation: What, and where, was the first thing connected with the accident observed by the witness?  Were there any unusual actions on the part of those involved?

Identification: Can the witness identify the parties in the accident?  Did the witness overhear any conversation, or engage in conversation, with any of the parties?
 

• If a suspect address is developed, attempt contact at that address.  Obtain and document any information received.
• Attempt contact at neighbors of the suspect.  Obtain and document any information received.
• If the run vehicle is impounded, ensure that the report is completed and sent to the Traffic Sergeant prior to going off shift.
• Run listings on all hit-and-run suspect vehicles. Attempt to contact owner of the vehicle by driving to registered address, if in the City limits, and check for the vehicle and/or suspects.  Document efforts to contact suspect and vehicle in the accident report and turn in the report prior to going off shift.

• If the vehicle registers outside the City limits a teletype may be sent to the agency where the vehicle is registered to have another law enforcement agency check the address. 

• A QQ (Query Query) should also be done on the suspect vehicle so the investigating officer can contact whoever recently queried the vehicle to determine the circumstances.

In addition to the procedures in G.O. 230, the following procedures are mandatory in investigating and processing all fatal and serious injury accidents. If the accident involves multiple fatalities, the relevant procedures shall be repeated for each.

SERIOUS BODILY INJURY (CRS 18-1-901):  Bodily injury which either at the time of the actual injury or at a later time, involves a substantial risk of death, a substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement, a substantial risk of protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body, or breaks, fractures, or burns of the second or third degree.

VEHICULAR HOMICIDE: 18-3-106, (1)(a) If a person operates or drives a motor vehicle in a reckless manner, and such conduct is the proximate cause of the death of another, such person commits vehicular homicide.

(b)(l) If a person operates or drives a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or one or more drugs, or a combination of both alcohol and one or more drugs, and such conduct is the proximate cause of the death of another, such person commits vehicular homicide.

VEHICULAR ASSAULT: 18-3-205, (1)(a) If a person operates or drives a motor vehicle in a reckless manner and this conduct is the proximate cause of serious bodily injury to another, such person commits vehicular assault.

(b)(I) If a person operates or drives a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or one or more drugs, or a combination of both alcohol and one or more drugs, and this conduct is the proximate cause of a serious bodily injury to another, such person commits vehicular assault.

The Major Accident Response Team (M.A.R.T.) shall be notified  by the Communication Center with approval of a patrol supervisor for the following: 

• Fatal accidents 
• Vehicular assault accidents
• Officer involved traffic accidents where the officer or another person is seriously injured
• Officer involved accidents where there appears to be City liability
• Any person involved in the accident receives serious bodily injury as a result of the accident and the driver is suspected of reckless driving, DUI or DUID
• Enhanced investigations by the MART is necessary
• When the patrol supervisor on-scene believes the Major Accident Detective is necessary

The following options are available to an on-scene supervisor:

• Telephone consultation with a MART Sergeant
• Limited response to the scene by a Major Accident Investigator or Traffic Sergeant
• Complete team response to the scene by the MART

In all fatal accidents, serious bodily injury traffic accidents, traffic accidents involving a Department member where a person is injured, and in all accidents in which there is a likelihood of felony charges, Communications shall notify the Sergeant in charge of the Major Accident Unit on duty or the on-call Accident Response Team Sergeant.

In all fatal and serious accidents, the on-call Major Accident Response Team Sergeant, or in his/her absence, the detective from MART,the Sergeant, or ranking officer from the Major Accident Unit at the scene, shall be in complete charge of the investigation, regardless of the rank of other officers present from other components of the Department.

In all fatal and serious traffic accidents, the on call Major Accident Response Team Sergeant, or in his/her absence, the detective from the Major Accident Response Team or the ranking traffic officer from the Major Accident Response Team shall be in charge of the investigation, regardless of the rank of other officers present from other components of the department.

Special care should be taken in preserving all physical evidence at the scene, until it can be collected, measured, photographed, and statements taken as detailed in GO 831, Collection of Physical Evidence.

At the discretion of the investigating officer(s), the Forensics Laboratory unit may be used to assist in the investigation of the accident.

The first unit to arrive at the scene shall be responsible for preserving the scene until released by the Major Accident Unit Detectives or Major Accident Unit Sergeant.  Additionally, the first arriving unit shall notify Communications if additional assistance is needed, and if ambulances are needed to transport injured persons.

At the discretion of the investigating officer(s), witnesses, uninjured drivers and passengers involved in accidents that result in a M.A.R.T. response, may be transported to police department facilities for interviews. First responding officers shall take all necessary steps to interview and properly document the identity of all potential witnesses that leave the scene of the accident prior to the arrival of M.A.R.T. personnel.all uninjured drivers and passengers in the involved vehicles may be transported to Police Department facilities for interviews.

To establish procedures governing investigation of accidents involving City employees, including Police Department personnel and volunteers, or City vehicles.
 

A Department member who is a driver involved in an accident with a City vehicle, or is involved in an on-duty accident with any vehicle, shall be responsible for the following:

• Notification of Supervisor: A field supervisor will be notified without delay. The Command Duty Officer and the member's Division Commander will be notified if the accident involves serious injuries.
• Statements: No oral or written statement concerning the cause of the accident will be made at the scene, unless made to an officer investigating the accident.
• Reporting Circumstances: The driver will submit a memorandum, giving the details of the occurrence, through channels to his/her Division Commander/Director.

Exception: When the driver is incapacitated, the assigned supervisor will submit the memorandum for the driver.

In any event, no employees involved in a vehicle accident will investigate their own accident, but will cooperate in supplying driver's license and vehicle information to the investigating officer.
 

Supervisors assigned to vehicle accidents, under this directive, shall ensure the following:

• Notification of City Risk Management: Safety Office: The City Risk Management Safety Office shall be notified without delay.
• Response to the Scene : The assigned supervisor shall respond to the accident scene and ensure that a proper investigation is being conducted, according to Department policy and procedure.
• Assigning Investigative Responsibility: Whenever possible, a Traffic Accident Investigator shall be assigned to investigate and report on the accident. If no Accident Investigator is on duty, or if all on-duty Accident Investigators are already involved in accident investigations, another Patrol Bureau officer shall be assigned. The supervisor may choose to co-investigate the accident with any investigating officer.
• Obtaining Photographs : Photographs shall be taken of all damage resulting from an accident involving a City vehicle.
• Supervisor's Report : Once the driver's memorandum report is submitted, the assigned supervisor will complete a memorandum detailing the supervisor's conclusions about the cause and preventability of the accident. The driver's memorandum and the supervisor's memorandum are to be jointly forwarded to the Division Commander/Director.

The officer assigned to investigate shall be responsible for the following:

• The investigation will be conducted in the manner required by State statutes, and the State of Colorado Investigator's Traffic Accident Report Form, DR 447, will be completed.
• A diagram will be made on all Departmental vehicle accidents when a state Report Form DR 447 is made, if there is moderate to extreme damage or injuries.
• The accident report shall carry unit numbers, in addition to license plate numbers.
• Home addresses of any Department members involved shall be shown as the address of Police Operations Center, 705 South Nevada Avenue, 80903.
• Members' home phone numbers shall not be shown on the report.  All accident reports involving department members will be typed.

All of this Section 2, Traffic Operations
G.O. 160, Motor Vehicle Thefts
G.O. 833, Evidence Office Procedures
 

The City of Colorado Springs maintains a contract with a wrecker service to tow certain impounded vehicles. The contract wrecker service shall be used when a vehicle is impounded for any of the following reasons, and, if appropriate, under paragraph .30:

• Abandoned car on public way (over 72 hours; 24 hours for metered business districts)
• Cars left in a traffic lane, or otherwise creating a hazard
• Cars on a public way blocking driveways, alleys, etc.
• Cars held for proof of ownership
• Expired or misused license plates
• Unsafe vehicles (on public ways)
• Driver was driving without a current and valid operator/chauffeur's license
• Driver drove without proper license endorsement
• Driver's license is denied, cancelled, suspended or revoked by the State 
• Cars held for evidence processing (only if unable to process at scene)
• Cars involved in accidents that may lead to the filing of felony charges (vehicular assault, vehicular homicide), if determined necessary by the investigating officer
• Hit and run vehicles, if the driver is or has been arrested, or vehicle has been abandoned

An owner/driver, who is arrested, shall be offered the following options:

• Properly parking and, if possible, locking the vehicle.  As this is an option that the person may accept or refuse, the Police Department will not assume liability for the vehicle or its contents.
• Summoning a wrecker of the owner/driver's choice and at his/her expense
• Releasing the vehicle to another person at the scene.  If this option is chosen, the officer shall ensure that the person to whom the vehicle is released is a licensed and unimpaired driver.
• Towing by the city contract wrecker service to the department Impound Lot

These options shall be offered for all vehicles with the following exceptions:

• When a vehicle is to be held for evidence or investigation
• When the owner/driver is not competent to make a rational and timely decision

• When the owner/operator is not on scene and therefore is unable to contract with a tow company for towing and storage of the vehicle

• When an agreement for a public consensual tow cannot be reached, or cannot be reached in a timely manner, i.e., the same forty-five (45) minute time frame allowed in the towing contract

When a vehicle is impounded by this department, the following steps are required:

• An Impounded Vehicle Report, or car card, will be completed and will accompany the vehicle to the department Impound Lot.
• The officer impounding the vehicle, before releasing the vehicle to the wrecker service, shall conduct a complete custodial inventory search of the vehicle, for the protection of valuables in the vehicle, and for the protection of the public from potentially dangerous contents.
• All items of discernible, substantial value shall be removed from the vehicle and entered into personal property on an Evidence/Property  Custodian's Invoice.  See G.O. 833, Evidence Office ProceduresHandling of Evidence and Property .  If access to the trunk is available from use of the trunk key or through any other means such as an electronic latch or folding seat, the contents of the trunk shall be searched.  
• While conducting the custodial inventory, should the impounding officer locate a container in or on the vehicle, it is the officer's responsibility to open such container and inventory its contents. Officers should remain alert to potential hazards of suspicious containers. Locked or sealed containers should not be opened.
• The ignition key of the impounded vehicle should accompany the vehicle to the Department Impound Lot.

Officers are cautioned that impounding is not to be used for punitive reasons. Impounding a vehicle because of the attitude of the owner/driver, or for minor infractions, is contrary to the purpose of this policy.

A vehicle is to be impounded only after making a genuine effort to properly park and lock the vehicle, or to release the vehicle to a responsible party.
 

An officer may place a hold on an impounded vehicle while completing further investigation in the following cases: homicide, vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, careless driving involving death, drive-by crimes, assault/attempted murder, aggravated robbery, arson, and civil forfeiture or drug seizure. Holds on vehicles impounded for these reasons are considered permanent until released by the District Attorney's Office in writing.  The hold will only be effective for 30 calendar days from the date of impound. Those vehicles impounded for proof of ownership are held until proof of ownership is provided. Those vehicles impounded as unsafe are required to be made safe, or towed out of the lot, before they are released.

Officers may not place a hold on a vehicle if it is strictly to serve a summons.  Officers will write a note on the car card that a summons needs to be served.  The Impound Lot will notify dispatch when the vehicle is being released so that dispatch can have an officer pick up the summons and respond to the Impound Lot to serve it.

At the end of 30 calendar days,hold period Impound Lot personnel will notify the officer or detective and the District Attorney's Office to determine if the vehicle can be released. This 30 day notification process will not apply to cases of homicide, vehicular homicide, or careless driving involving death. These cases will have permanent holds placed on them.  start the procedures to will release the vehicle to the owner, if the hold is not extended. Officers may request extensions for 30 days at a time by notifying the Impound Lot, in writing, for each 30 day extension. It is the officer’s responsibility to notify the Impound Facility and not the responsibility of the Impound Facility to notify the officer each 30 days. All requests will contain the impound number, car card number, as part of the identification of the vehicle. Vehicles being held for evidence in homicide, vehicular assault, fatal, civil forfeiture or drug seizure cases are exempt from the maximum 30 day hold.

Vehicles being held for aggravated motor vehicle theft, drug possession, hit and run, or vehicular eluding, can be released by the officer or detective after it has been processed or photographed to show the location of evidence.  

Upon release after the hold period, Impound Lot personnel will provide notification to the owner as described in SOP E2-08 .

Only the City Manager or the City Manager's designated representative, may waive the imposition and collection of all or any part of the storage charges.  Officers are not authorized to waive the storage charges and should not advise citizens that fees will be waived.
 

The officer shall call the contract wrecker. If however, the city contract wrecker is unavailable during high demand times, due to adverse weather conditions, etc., officers may use discretion to call for the next available rotational wrecker service. 

All vehicles towed by the Police Department contract wrecker, or towed by a private wrecker company at police direction, will be towed to either the Impound Lot or the private wrecker company's lot.  At no time will the vehicle be left on a side street, parking lot or other place, unless specified by the owner of the vehicle.  A dry run clause is built into the city contract with the wrecker service to cover the following:

• If the driver of the vehicle shows up and has the means, or will have the means very shortly to have the vehicle removed, the officer can cancel the wrecker, and the department will be charged for a dry run.
• If the wrecker and the driver arrive on the scene at the same time, or if the wrecker has not left the scene with the vehicle, the officer shall sign a tow ticket for a dry run, provided that the driver is able to remove the vehicle.
• No citizen shall be made to pay for a wrecker that the citizen did not call, if s/he has already made arrangements for the vehicle to be removed from the street.  An exception to this would be a vehicle blocking a traffic lane on I-25 and the city contract wrecker is on scene and the requested wrecker by the citizen has not yet arrived. The citizen can choose to continue with the impoundment of the vehicle or change the contact wrecker to a request tow utilizing the city contract wrecker on scene.

To outline basic responsibilities of Patrol officers.

G.O. 120, Communication Protocols
G.O. 601, Enforcement Guidelines
G.O. 705, Use of Force Continuum
G.O. 740, Determining Probable Cause
G.O. 750, Citizen Contacts
G.O. 1662 Work Performance
G.O. 1663 Uniforms and Appearance Professional Ethics and Discipline
SOP P1-04 Roll Call Briefing
SOP P1-84, Community/Problem Oriented Policing

Department personnel are often called upon to supply services that are not enforcement oriented. When this happens, officers are encouraged to provide courtesy services that are consistent with this manual, city policy, and the law.

Electronic Log Sheets will be used to record activities or actions taken, whether self-initiated or assigned. Each officer assigned to Patrol or other uniformed field activities is responsible for notifying Communications of the following:

•  Arrival on the scene
•  Completion of assignment
•  Disposition information
•  Location and nature of self-initiated activity

Within reasonable limits, patrol officers are expected to maintain and have available their own notes, not a part of official reports, that may give supplementary information for use in court to refresh their memory or to improve their court performance.  Unless otherwise directed by a superior officer or Court order, these shall be retained for as long as the officer feels they are necessary to accomplish a specific police purpose, after which they may be disposed of.

During or after lineup Patrol officers shall be familiar with any information furnished, pertaining to persons or events, that may affect the public's welfare and safety and shall remain familiar with the following:

• Special conditions in their assigned areas, such as patterns of criminal incidents, location of known criminals and location of possible targets for criminal conduct
• Descriptions of wanted and missing persons
• Descriptions of property recently reported stolen in their assigned area
• Any conditions in the assigned sector which pose special traffic problems or other kinds of hazards

Officers assigned to patrol a sector will become familiar with sector boundaries and with any boundary modifications in effect during that watch.  Officers will take positive action to inform themselves about crime-prone areas, businesses, possible targets for criminal activity and any other condition which is detrimental to life or property. Officers shall also continuously seek to prevent, detect or anticipate criminal activity. For this reason, they shall take the following actions as often as possible:

Inspect premises for doors ajar, broken windows, or other conditions conducive to crime or indicative of criminal activity.

Carefully observe and note the actions of persons who might be involved in crime, and take appropriate action.

When suspicion of any persons' wrongdoing has become definite, stop and question them. For guidelines, see Section 7 of this Manual, Force, Detention, and Arrest.

Obtain information on citizen's problems and concerns relating to quality of life issues, public disorder, and criminal activity, through frequent contacts with residents, workers, merchants and others in the assigned sector. Remember that the inhabitants of a neighborhood are the best sources of information about unusual activities or conditions.

Inform people in the sector of actions they can take to protect their persons or property from crime.

Frequently patrol areas or places where criminal activity most often occurs.

Contact business owners/managers to obtain/update after hours emergency contact information.

Obtain "No Trespass" letters from business and property owners. 

Carefully observe all premises that may be used to facilitate criminal activity, such as fencing of stolen goods, illicit drug sales, prostitution, and gang activity. Take note of the identity of suspicious persons transacting business there and remain alert for the presence of contraband, evidence, and stolen property.

Observe all places of business and note the location of safes, cash registers, night lights, alarm systems, habits of the staff, time of opening and closing, nature of business, number and location of exits and means of securing, such as locking doors, windows, gratings and skylights or other barriers.

Monitor applicable licensing laws and regulations and take necessary enforcement action or refer the information to the proper enforcement authority.

When traffic becomes congested and assistance is needed, take measures to ease the congestion.

Inspect individual mailbox and access email and phone messages during a tour of duty.

Officers will patrol their assigned sectors as often as possible. They will use the time available between particular assignments to observe conditions in the sector and take appropriate police action to correct and report any hazardous conditions or situations coming to their attention.  Where practical, they will vary the sequence and schedule of their patrolling so that potential criminals cannot anticipate the officer's being in a given place at a given time.

Officers may leave an assigned sector, without prior supervisory approval, under any of the conditions listed below, however, they will advise Communications:

• When assigned or authorized by competent authority
• To aid and assist (to include POP/DA projects)
• When performing a follow-up process or pursuing a suspect
• When taking a meal break
• When ending a tour of duty

Officers shall not go outside the city limits in department vehicles except as specified below.  Irregular City boundaries and enclaves frequently make it necessary to pass through non-City areas to reach an area which is within the city limits.  For the present purposes, this activity does not constitute "leaving the City" and does not require permission.  However, law enforcement action should not be taken in such areas except under the conditions specified.

• In cases of fresh pursuit
• When sent by proper authority at the request of a law enforcement officer having jurisdiction
• When there appears to be a grave emergency and an urgent need for assistance
• When authorized by a superior or by Communications
• When duty assignment involves joint jurisdiction

The dispatcher shall be notified as soon as possible when assistance is provided outside the city limits.

Officers and Sergeants are prohibited from conducting any work prior to the start of their shift (including donning their protective gear) without prior supervisory approval.

Department personnel assigned to a Patrol function will follow these procedures when a tour of duty nears completion:

• At the appropriate time, notify Communications of arrival at the substation to go off duty.
• If informed by Communications that off-duty status is not authorized, remain on assignment until relieved by Communications or a supervisor.
• Upon arrival at the substation, complete and submit all reports and process all evidence or other property, unless delay is authorized by a supervisor.
• Inform the relieving officer of any incidents or circumstances which may affect him/her.

Patrol Sergeants' responsibilities encompass the duties of their subordinates and reinforce the subordinates with supervision, direction, control and other tasks specified in written directives or assigned by competent authority. Patrol Sergeants will meet with sector officers as often as necessary and practical to ensure that police services are properly and efficiently performed. At the end of watch, each supervisor will ensure that all reports, evidence, property and equipment are appropriately processed by the officers assigned.

Officer safety and proper sector coverage are major concerns of the field supervisor.  When a supervisor is personally unable to locate an officer, the supervisor will initiate a thorough search using other officers assigned to the supervisor's area. If the missing officer cannot be located within a reasonable time, the supervisor will ensure that the sector is properly covered while continuing efforts to locate the officer.  Once the missing officer is located, the Patrol Sergeant will ascertain why the officer was not available and will take that action he/she deems necessary to correct the situation and prevent its recurrence.

G.O. 120, Communications Protocols
G.O. 315, Response to Crimes in Progress
G.O. 1210, Manpower Availability
CALEA Standards 41.2.1; 81.2.5; 81.2.6
 

It is not possible, or even desirable, to dispatch an officer immediately to every call for service. Citizens and taxpayers--including Department members--correctly hold public agencies accountable for using their resources efficiently.  A modern law enforcement agency must learn to live with limited resources and to develop cost-effective service delivery plans. Careful prioritizing and use of alternative response systems, when appropriate, are essential to match human and material resources with service demands. The Department will provide the highest level of service possible by using available resources effectively.
 

See G.O. 120, Communications Protocols
 

When an incident is assigned to a unit, other units should not cover unless the responding unit requests assistance or the need for assistance is obvious or known.
 

To establish a method for responding to crimes in progress, whether reported by officers or by citizens.

G.O. 120, Communications Protocols
G.O. 310, Routine Patrol Functions
G.O. 312, Deployment: Response Priorities
G.O. 435, Canine (K-9) Unit
G.O. 450, Tactical Enforcement Unit
G.O. 455, Bomb Threats and Explosives Incidents
G.O. 458, Hazardous Materials Incidents
G.O. 460, Barricaded Suspects
G.O. 465, Hostage Incidents
G.O. 480, Civil Disturbances

When notified of an emergency requiring police action, the department will respond immediately with sufficient available resources to control the incident. Responses will be coordinated for effectiveness in resolving problems and restoring order. Department personnel, after considering the tactical situation, will initiate reasonable and necessary steps, consistent with their assignments, to protect life and property, and enforce the law.

BASIC RESPONSE TEAM: A basic response team will consist of the following when staffing allows: One (1) unit dispatched Code 3, three (3) units dispatched Code 2, and a field supervisor dispatched Code 2. Other units will not move into the area unless assigned by Communications personnel or the field supervisor. 

The officer making the request will use the following procedure, when possible:

• The requesting officer will clear the air by broadcasting ". . .[give unit designation] Code 1 3 Traffic."
• The requesting officer shall then broadcast "Officer needs help at (location)."
• If possible, the officer should give a brief statement describing the situation.

When an emergency assistance call is received, the following procedure will be adhered to:

An officer may specify the number of units needed to control a situation. If no number is specified, or there is insufficient information, or a citizen initiates the call instead of an officer, a basic response team will be dispatched.  Keep in mind this is a "basic response team," more extreme situations can require an "enhanced" response. 

The dispatcher will broadcast a Code One on all appropriate channels. Department personnel not involved in the response will immediately discontinue use of their radios on that channel.

The dispatcher will then determine which units to send and appropriate response codes, in accordance with the following:

• The dispatcher will determine the first and second units to respond either by designating specific units or requesting the closest units to respond. In any event, the dispatcher will have the authority to designate the first and second units.
• The dispatcher will then notify a Patrol Sergeant from that Division and supply a brief summary of the situation. If a Division Patrol Sergeant is not available, the dispatcher will notify any available Patrol Supervisor citywide.
• The dispatcher will then continue assigning the remaining response units. The initial action taken is critical. Units not dispatched will remain in service and available to respond, but will maintain radio silence until the Code One is cleared by on-scene personnel.

Radio broadcasts of an emergency nature, by either Communications or other field units, that are not relevant to the assistance call, will be made on a radio channel specified by Communications.

For the duration of Code One incidents, all transmissions (radio and/or MDC) will be specifically and directly related to the event at hand, or as needed to maintain dispatch functions. Officers will adhere to this strict radio and MDC discipline for the duration of the incident, or until the dispatcher otherwise releases the restriction. Dispatch will continue to use the MDC to dispatch calls for service and officers may continue to message information that they would handle via radio, under normal circumstances.   

This policy strictly forbids the use of the MDC for any car-to-car messaging not related to the resolution of the referenced incident. This includes, but is not limited to, requesting information regarding the event.

When an in-progress crime involves a significant potential for violence, a multiple unit response is appropriate.

Responding units will notify Communications of the following:

• Their arrival;
• Their location at the scene, if possible;
• Their intended actions, if possible;
• Any observations that confirm or deny the validity of the call.

In any event, responding units will coordinate their actions to use available resources effectively.

Department personnel assigned to in-progress crimes must carry out certain functions before gathering evidence or taking other investigative actions:

• Secure the area and protect bystanders and evidence.
• Control the situation in a manner that reduces the threat to life.
• Obtain descriptions of suspects and vehicles and notify Communications.
• Request assistance, as necessary, for effective action, such as additional police units, specialized police units, Fire Department units or ambulances.
• The first unit to arrive is responsible for assessing the situation and informing Communications within two minutes.

The following personnel have the authority to activate specialized units:

• The on-scene supervisor;
• Any Staff Officer notified of the situation
• The on-call Command Duty Officer;

When a specialized unit is authorized to respond, the supervisor authorizing the response will ensure that all appropriate command personnel in the emergency chain of command are notified. See G.O. 110, Emergency Notifications

Note:  This procedure does not apply to calling the Crime Lab to the scene of a crime. If the Crime Lab is needed, simply because a crime scene requires special technical processing, no notifications are needed. On the other hand, if the Crime Lab is activated because of a major crime, notifications should already have been made.

To specify procedures for use when police action results in damage to property of others.

Because of potential civil liability, all employees of this department will ensure that any police-related damage to non-department property is documented thoroughly. Department personnel will not, under any circumstances, represent to citizens that the department will/will not pay for the damage to or removal of personal property.

The employee(s) involved will submit a separate Incident Report detailing the circumstances surrounding the damage to property. Included in the Incident Report should be the date, time, location, owner's name, and any other pertinent information. A detailed description of damaged property should also be included.

Copies of the Incident Report will be delivered to both the City Attorney's Office and the City's Risk Management Office.

The investigating officer will be responsible for instructing the Police Lab to process the film immediately and deliver the photographs and negatives to the Fiscal Services Section. The Fiscal Services Section will maintain the photographs and copies of the Incident Report.

Situations may require a department officer to forcibly enter a building. These situations include, but are not limited to:

• Execution of search or arrest warrants
• Suspicious circumstances/check the welfare
• Emergency action to prevent death or serious bodily injury

If a building or other property is damaged, and cannot be secured, and no one is present who has a lawful right or owner's consent to occupy the structure or property, the officer will:

• Attempt to locate the person responsible for the building or property.
• Stand by until the responsible person arrives at the scene.
• Notify Communications, who will arrange for someone to respond and make the repairs.  The Colorado Springs Fire Department has tools and materials for a variety of temporary repairs.  They can be of assistance with temporary repairs of doors, windows, fences, etc.  If there is a question about the repair, an on-duty District Chief can be contacted for clearance.  An Officer should remain at the scene until the repair is completed. 
• Follow the procedures outlined in paragraphs .10 and .20 above.
• The officer's immediate supervisor will forward copies of all relevant material to the Safety/Claims Office for review.

Employees must remember, while acting in the interest of the City and of the general public, they do not have the authority to accept, or to imply, financial responsibility on behalf of the City of Colorado Springs and the Colorado Springs Police Department. Employees should refrain from implying acceptance, either written or verbal, for costs of services that may or may not be as a result of police action.

The Police Department is authorized to collect evidence deemed necessary to a criminal investigation. If private property is damaged as a result of this retrieval, the Police Department has no financial responsibility to replace or repair the damaged property. Officers are to refer inquiring property owners to the City Claims Office.

To furnish guidelines for making death notifications.

G.O. 1317, Chaplaincy Corps
G.O. 1950, Family Notification: Officer Death or Trauma

One of the most traumatic assignments that a department member can be asked to perform is that of making a death notification.  Department members must be tactful and sensitive in their approach to this assignment, recognizing the emotional shock to the person receiving the notification.

The following guidelines are given for situations in which a chaplain is not available and the department member has to deliver the death notice.

The Communications Center will notify a field supervisor whenever a death notification is required.

Whenever possible, death notification will be made in person.

• Be sympathetic and empathic, realizing the traumatic impact that the notice will have on the recipient.
• Whenever possible, set up a support system utilizing a chaplain, a neighbor, a relative, or a friend.
• When making a death notice, use a statement similar to this:
  "I am (name and rank). I have some bad news for you.  Can we sit down?  There has been a bad accident, etc., and (name) has been killed (or has died)."
• After making the notification, remain at the scene to answer any questions to the best of your ability.

If no support system was obtained before delivering the notice, ask if there is anyone that you can call.

Often, a person being notified of a death will become angry with the person delivering the notice.  This is a grief reaction and should not be taken personally.  Explain that you understand their anger and sympathize with them. Again, use tact and be sensitive to the nature of the notice.

Only as a last resort will a death notification be made by telephone.  As previously stated, use tact and be sensitive to the nature of the notice. Stay on the telephone long enough for the information to take hold. If requested to make an additional call, such as for support, do so.

When a member must deliver a death notice to someone out of our jurisdictionState, consider requesting that a peace officer where the recipient resides, make personal contact to deliver the message.

To establish the Department's policy concerning organ donor programs.

The Colorado Springs Police Department will facilitate the efforts of medical personnel to preserve the bodily organs and tissues of deceased persons who have designated themselves as donors. Because rapid action is necessary for preservation, the Department will take positive action to determine if a the deceased person is a designated donor.  The Department will also cooperate fully, when requested by medical personnel or other law enforcement agencies, in transporting organs or tissues within this jurisdiction.

Colorado's organ donor, or anatomical gift certifications are on the reverse side of the Colorado Driver's License, or on a separate card for those who do not have a Driver's License.  To be valid, the certificate must have been signed by the donor and by two witnesses.

An officer, at the scene of an immediate or recent death, shall check the deceased, or have medical personnel check the deceased, for an organ donor card. Whenever possible, the officer should have a witness present when handling the personal effects of deceased persons. If an organ donor card is found, and if CSPD policy indicates that there is no need to maintain a chain of evidence, the nearest hospital emergency room physician shall be contacted for instructions. This provision shall not apply if evidential considerations are present, such as in homicides or child abuse deaths.

In order for human organs to be medically viable for transplantation, the donor must be on life support at the time of harvesting. Human organs can not be harvested from persons who are obviously deceased outside of a hospital setting because, once the heart has stopped, the organs can't be used. Therefore, no efforts are necessary to preserve the organs of persons who died outside of a hospital.

To create the CJIS Information Request process and to establish procedures for its use.
 

It is often the case that an officer may need to locate some person for an interview or for some specific information, but does not have probable cause to justify a pickup for the person.  The CJIS Information Request process will permit officers to place a temporary notice in the CJIS system, so that officers having contact with that person will be alerted to this need and can take appropriate action.
 

The existence of an Information Request alert on the CJIS system does not constitute probable cause, or reasonable suspicion, to stop or detain a person.  It merely informs an officer having contact with the person that another officer is trying to make contact with that person or obtain some sort of information from that person.  The officer having contact will follow the instructions as closely as possible.
 

A special form, entitled Information Request, based generally on the existing pickup form, has been designed for the Information Request process.  The requesting officer will fill out the form as thoroughly and specifically as possible.  The officer must then receive supervisory approval for placing the request.  Such supervisory approval authorizes any overtime that the request may generate.  ID will enter the request into the CJIS system, labeling it Info Request in the Description field, and it will then be valid for up to 30 days.  If the requesting officer desires ashorter time period, an earlier date may be placed in the cancellation blank on the card.  Once the 30 days expires, the officer must fill out another Information Request if s/he wants to continue the request.  This procedure may be repeated, as many times as necessary, but no extensions will be granted.  A new card must be submitted each time the request is renewed.

The requesting officer must indicate on the card what kind of disposition the contacting officer is to make.  ID will enter one of the following codes:

• Contact ID - Indicates that the officer having contact with the wanted person should call ID for further instructions.
• Complete FI - Indicates that the officer having contact should complete an FIR card and forward it to the requesting officer.

Page of C - Indicates that the officer having contact should page or telephone the requesting officer.

In the Caution field, the requesting officer will furnish contact information, consisting of his/her name, serial number, and Divisional code, such as SC, GH, MC, if an FIR card is desired; name, serial number, and pager number and/or telephone contact number(s), if voice contact is desired.  Requesting voice contact signifies the requesting officer's desire to be contacted at any hour.


 

To specify rules and procedures for police officers within the sterile concourse area of the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport.
 

STERILE CONCOURSE AREA: Includes all parts of the airport terminal that must be reached by passing through the security checkpoint.

CERTIFICATE HOLDER: Any commercial airline company.
 

It will be necessary for an officer who is out of uniform and on duty to discreetly advise the security screening people, as well as an officer assigned to the Airport Security Detail, of the fact that the officer is armed and going into the sterile concourse area.  The officer must sign the log kept for this purpose at the screening point by security personnel.  The visiting officer will then be escorted into the sterile concourse area.
 

Off-duty officers will not be allowed to carry weapons while in the sterile concourse area. Officers are to check their weapons at the Airport Security Detail Office, which is located at the east end of the first level, near the rental car counters.
 

The following procedure complies with standard airline policy and is hereby adopted by the Colorado Springs Police Department:

Each officer with a requirement to carry a dangerous weapon in the cabin compartment of an air carrier aircraft should provide a letter to the air carrier, in advance, that specifies the circumstances that create the need to be armed during the flight(s) being utilized. This letter should be on the letterhead of the jurisdiction employing the officer and signed by a supervisory official. Such letter should specify the trip itinerary and include a designated period during which the need to be armed in flight will exist. The officer may carry the weapon on the aircraft only with the approval of the air carrier and the flight Captain. The officer is responsible for becoming familiar with, and adhering to, the specific airline's applicable procedures.
 

An Individual To Be Armed During Flight Should:

1) Be authorized to have the weapon.

2) Notify the certificate holder he needs to have the weapon accessible in connection with the performance of duty during the period from the time the individual would otherwise have checked it, until the time it would have been returned to the individual after deplaning.

3) Notify the certificate holder of the flight on which he intends to have a weapon, at least one hour prior to flight departure, or in an emergency, as soon as practicable recognizing that emergency situations, on occasion, occur.

4) Identify himself to the certificate holder by presenting credentials that include his full-face picture, his signature, and the signature of an authorizing official.

5) Not drink any alcoholic beverage while aboard an aircraft operated by a certificate holder.

G.O. 110, Emergency Notifications
G.O. 450, Tactical Enforcement Unit (T.E.U.)
G.O. 455, Bomb Threats and Explosives Incidents
G.O. 1008, Patrol Bureau: Functions
CALEA Standards 41.1.4; 41.2.6; 46.1.5; 46.2.5
 

The K-9 Unit of the Colorado Springs Police Department is designed to provide specialized support for general patrol operations. Additionally, the K-9 assists other components of the Department, as well as other agencies, upon request. Special procedures in this General Order ensure that the advantages offered by the K-9 Unit are obtained with minimal risks to the public, to officers, and to the dogs.
 

The K-9 Unit is a support element of the Operations Support Patrol Bureau and should be utilized in situations requiring its specialized capabilities. As a guideline for decision-making, it is recognized that police working dogs are effective in the following situations:

• Explosives searches and detection
• Building searches
• Tracking of suspects
• Open seeks (clearing open areas)
• Evidence searches
• Crowd control - limited application (see paragraph .20, Officer Responsibilities)
• Lost or missing persons - limited application (see paragraph .20, Officer Responsibilities)
• Any situation that requires the specialized capabilities of the K-9 Unit.

Officers performing duties with, or in the presence of, a police working dog or its handler shall abide by the following rules:

1. Police working dogs shall be deployed to apprehend suspects only after due consideration has been given to the nature of the offense, safety of officers, and safety of the general public. In any case, police working dogs, as an application of force, should only be used in ways that are reasonable and necessary for performing official law enforcement duties.
2. Police working dogs shall be used to control a crowd only when necessary to prevent death or injury to innocent persons, or to prevent assaults on police officers. Requests for police working dogs for crowd control require the approval of a division lieutenant of the appropriate Patrol Division.
3. Police working dogs shall be used to search for missing persons or lost children only when there are grave extenuating circumstances, such as evidence of foul play or grievous harm. Minimal exceptions to this rule may be granted, by a division lieutenant, for the best interest of the Department and the public.
4. Officers shall heed the directions of the K-9 handler when in a tactical situation.
5. Police working dogs shall not be used to apprehend persons under the influences of drugs or intoxicants unless a crime has been, or is about to be, committed warranting the K-9's intervention.
6. Police personnel are prohibited from teasing or harassing police working dogs, assigned trainers or handlers in any manner. K-9 Unit personnel are excused from this provision for legitimate training purposes.
7. Police personnel may pet police working dogs only with the permission of, and in the presence of, the assigned handler.
8. Police personnel shall not hug or lean close to the head of a police working dog while petting it.
9. Police personnel shall not offer food or drink to police working dogs unless permission has been obtained from the assigned handler.
10. With the exception of emergencies, or prior approval of any assigned handler, other police personnel shall not give commands to police working dogs.

In that the K-9 Unit is intended to support all components of the Department, the procedures below will be followed by members of the K-9 Unit and, where applicable, all other members of the Department.:

Arrests made or evidence located, as the result of a request for K-9 assistance, shall be considered to have been accomplished by the requesting officer. Reports, suspects and evidence obtained through K-9 assistance will be processed by normal Departmental procedures.
Whenever a K-9 Unit responds to a request for assistance, the K-9 handler shall be responsible for completing required supplemental reports, documenting actions taken by the K-9 Unit, and turning in evidence seized by the K-9 Officer.

All K-9 Units shall be responsible for taking appropriate police action concerning on-view criminal activity and shall be responsible for completing necessary reports.

Requests for public demonstrations and appearances of K-9 Units will be coordinated through the designated unit supervisor and scheduled in accordance with the operational needs of the Department. Media requests for K-9 Unit appearances must be coordinated through the Department's Public Information Office.
 

Requests for off-duty call-outs of K-9 Units may be made by any on-duty sworn supervisor.  Off-duty call-outs should only be made when there is a compelling need for K-9 Unit assistance. Communications will be responsible for contacting the on-call K-9 Unit.
 

Scene containment is essential in order to effectively utilize the K-9 Unit.  Crime scenes should be quickly cordoned off, utilizing as many officers as needed to effectively prevent escape, pending the arrival of the K-9 Unit.

Containment officers coming into an area should consider using emergency lights and siren to announce their presence, thus causing the suspect to slow his escape for fear of apprehension.

Containment officers should remain in, or close to, their vehicles (as opposed to entering the search area) to prevent their scent from distracting the K-9 while tracking a suspect.

Consider calling for air support in addition to the K-9 Unit.  Air support will aid in slowing the suspect's escape, giving the K-9 Unit a greater chance of success.

A K-9 is much more effective if a scene is not inundated with the scent of several officers.  If you lose sight of a suspect during a foot pursuit, consider setting up a perimeter and calling a K-9 Unit immediately as opposed to conducting an extensive search with several officers.

A patrol officer should accompany the K-9 handler on all deployments to cover the handler who must focus his attention on the dog.  The assisting officer should remain slightly behind and to the side of the handler.

As T.E.U. can be called upon for a wide variety of situations, see General Orders relating to specific kinds of situations; for example:

G.O. 455, Bomb Threats and Explosives Incidents
G.O. 458, Hazardous Materials Incidents
G.O. 460, Barricaded Suspects
G.O. 465, Hostage Situations
G.O. 480, Civil Disturbances and Demonstrations
G.O. 762, Mass Arrests
CALEA Standards 46.1.2; 46.1.9; 46.2.1
 

As a guideline for decision-making, the following represent some typical situations where the resources made available through the Tactical Enforcement Unit may be utilized:

• Large fights, such as potential or known riots, gang fights, fights with weapons, civil disturbances, large bar fights, etc.
• Sniper or suspected sniper
• Barricaded or suspected barricaded gunman
• Hostage or suspected hostage situations
• Mass arrest situations
• V.I.P. security
• Enforcement/arrest/seizure raids
• Serious crime-in-progress calls
• Security for crime scene or bomb threat area
• Hijack or suspected hijack when vehicle is in the City or aircraft is on the ground
• Protection of Police and Fire Department units involved with mob actions, arsonists, etc.
• "Officer needs help" calls
• Any situation that requires a highly mobile and flexible police unit.

The decision to call out the Tactical Enforcement Unit, in response to any situation, shall be made by an on-duty supervisor, Command Duty Officer or by any Staff Officer.

Upon a decision to call out the Tactical Enforcement Unit, its Commanding Officer and Sergeant shall be informed of the situation, including details of the need, location, and time needed. If the Tactical Enforcement Unit Commanding Officer or Sergeant is not available, another member of the unit will have been designated by the Sergeant as the unit leader and shall have the authority to mobilize the unit. In such cases, the designated unit leader shall notify the supervisor of the fact.

If the Tactical Enforcement Unit is not scheduled for an assignment of a higher priority, the Sergeant or unit leader shall then mobilize the unit.

Whenever there is a need for Tactical Enforcement Unit officers to supplement other operational components of the Police Department, such as conducting stakeouts or directed activities, the following guidelines will be used:

• The supervisor of the requesting unit will contact the Commanding Officer of the Patrol Support Section, or designee, and supply sufficient information for assessing the request.
• Officers may then be assigned as either an entire unit to be supervised by the Tactical Sergeant, or as individual officers falling under the direct authority and supervision of the requesting supervisor.

In order to alleviate potential problems between Patrol officers and Patrol Support officers engaged in undercover surveillance/stakeout activities, Patrol Support officers will follow these procedures:

• Whenever possible, Patrol Support personnel will attend roll calls of the Patrol Division in which a surveillance is being conducted.
• In all cases, during normal business hours, the Division Shift Lieutenant of the affected Patrol Division, or the Command Duty Officer during off hours, will be notified of all undercover surveillance/stakeout operations.  If dissemination of the information to operational components could jeopardize the operation, the appropriate Lieutenant should exercise discretion.

G.O. 458, Hazardous Materials Incidents
G.O. 435, Canine (K-9) Unit
G.O. 110, Emergency Notifications
G.O. 450, Tactical Enforcement Unit (T.E.U.)
G.O. 810, Investigations Procedures
G.O. 1008, Patrol Bureau: Functions
CALEA Standard 46.1.5

The Bomb Squad shall be responsible for conducting preliminary investigations into incidents of accidental explosions, bombings, found bombs, explosives and related incidents.

In the event that the use of explosives is incidental to another crime (i.e. homicide, attempted homicide or serious assault, etc.) the bomb squad will coordinate with the Major Crimes Section covering all findings, suspects, and the significance of the evidence.

The Bomb Squad  is also responsible for safely removing and disposing of all explosives found or recovered by this Department.

When a bomb threat is received by personnel of this Department, or is reported by other persons, these procedures will be followed:

A Patrol supervisor and field unit will be dispatched to the location of the bomb threat and contact the person in charge of the premises. That person shall be given the facts then known and shall then decide whether or not those premises shall be evacuated and/or searched.

• If consent to evacuate and/or search is given, the supervisor should ask Communications to send adequate field units to make a quick and thorough search of the premises, using the involved establishment's personnel whenever possible and proper.
• Should any known or suspected explosives be located, Communications shall be notified immediately to dispatch the Bomb Squad. The Bomb Squad will respond to the scene and assume command.
• Officers at the scene shall evacuate all persons from the premises and secure the area, doing everything possible to minimize the risk of injury or death. In determining the extent of evacuation required, it shall be assumed that a bomb or explosive may cause damage to property, and fatal or serious injury to persons within at least 300 feet from the point of the explosion.
• All nonessential personnel should also be evacuated to a distance of 300 feet.  At that distance, cover behind solid, protective cover is strongly recommended.  At even further distances, persons should be instructed not to remain behind glass windows, so as to prevent serious fragmentation injuries.
• As a safety precaution, no radio transmission shall be made within 300 feet of a suspected bomb.  Police officers may keep their radios in the "On" position to receive transmissions; however, under no circumstances should they transmit, as sufficient energy may be released to detonate the bomb.
• Cellular telephones should not be on, if within 300 feet of a suspected bomb.
• The Patrol Bureau field unit, initially dispatched to the scene of a bomb threat, shall be responsible for completing an offense report if no bomb, explosive, etc. is found.

If a bomb threat concerns the Colorado Springs Airport, the Bomb Squad shall be notified and will respond to the scene.

If the bomb threat involves a commercial aircraft, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will be in charge of the investigation. The Patrol Bureau supervisor and field units assigned to the incident will assist the Federal Bureau of Investigation as needed. The Patrol Bureau units shall not assist in the search of passenger luggage, except at the direction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Ammunition smaller than .50 caliber or smaller will not be considered explosives and may be handled by an investigating officer. All other known or suspected explosives, such as nitroglycerin, dynamite, blasting caps, mortar shells, grenades, artillery shells, bombs, or other homemade explosive or pyrotechnic devices, shall be handled only by members of the Bomb Squad. Molotov cocktails will be handled by either the bomb squad or the arson unit, as needed.  If any explosives or suspected explosives are found, the area will be evacuated and these procedures will be followed:

• Patrol units shall make no attempt to neutralize, disarm, move, transport, or release explosives or devices, unless so directed by a member of the Bomb Squad, or unless further threat to life cannot be avoided.
• Officers responding to calls involving such explosives or incendiary devices shall request Communications to notify the Bomb Squad. Should explosives be verified, the Bomb Squad will respond for their removal.
• Explosives shall not be brought into Police Headquarters any police facility. All explosives will be transported by the Bomb Squad for destruction, proper storage, or release to the military Explosive Ordnance Detail.

In incidents involving injury or death because of a bomb, explosive, etc., the Major Crimes Section shall conduct the principal investigation with assistance from the Bomb Squad.

G.O. 110, Emergency Notifications
G.O. 450, Tactical Enforcement Unit (T.E.U.)
G.O. 455, Bomb Threats and Explosives Incidents
G.O. 1008, Patrol Bureau: Functions
CALEA Standards 61.2.1; 61.2.2; 61.2.3
 

The Colorado Springs Police Department is often called upon to respond to emergency situations requiring the expertise of other governmental and private agencies. The proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials is one such situation. When required to handle hazardous waste or other hazardous materials, officers will follow these rules, promulgated pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Colorado SB 172, and the City Code of Colorado Springs.
 

HAZARDOUS WASTE: A waste is any substance that a person intends to get rid of, or a substance that is no longer usable for intended purposes.  A hazardous waste is any waste which appears on the EPA's lists of hazardous waste, or which meets any of the following EPA criteria: toxicity, corrosiveness, reactivity or ignitability.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: A hazardous material means a substance or material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety and property and includes, but is not limited to, all petrochemicals, liquid gases, compound gases, acids, corrosives and other flammable, toxic or noxious substances.
 

If the Colorado Springs Police Department must assume responsibility for disposing of a waste, the Colorado State Health Department must be called in order to get an emergency permit number.

The contact telephone number is 1-888-569-1831 or is (303) 692-3355, 0800 hours to 1700,  or
1-877-518-5608 during other hours.

If the Colorado State Health Department advises that no emergency permit number is required, the Department employee will document this on a memorandum that includes the name and title of the Colorado State Health Department employee contacted, the property disposed of, and the method of disposal. The memorandum will be sent, through channels, to the City Attorney's Office, Environmental Division. The Colorado State Health Department can help facilitate disposal at a Federal facility such as Ft. Carson.
 

When notified of a hazardous substance incident, the area supervisor shall be dispatched to the Fire Department Command Post, which may be identified by a flashing green light. The Fire Department incident commander will have command of the incident and will advise the Police Department's area supervisor which precautions need to be taken, including:

• Scene protection/Isolation
• Traffic routing
• Crowd control
• Escorting necessary non-law enforcement emergency equipment
• General search and rescue
• Evacuation notification of threatened areas

The decision to evacuate an area, in a hazardous substance incident, is generally that of the Fire Department. Implementation of the Fire Department's decision to evacuate is the Police Department's responsibility. If no Fire Department officials are present to make that decision, CSPD command or supervisory personnel are empowered to make such a decision.

The policy of this Department is to request voluntary compliance to requests for evacuation, and not to evict persons forcibly from their homes and businesses. In cases involving the mentally or physically ill, those unable to understand, including children, etc., proper action will be dictated by the circumstances. Non-residents, and those without lawful business in the area, may be required to leave, if deemed necessary. Properly credentialed members of the press must be allowed access to the area, after they are fully advised of the hazards involved.
 

Every reasonable effort must be made to safeguard the homes and property of those evacuated. This includes limiting access to the area and, if possible, patrolling to prevent looting and vandalism.
 

Crowd control measures should be implemented, as soon as possible, to keep spectators away from the evacuated area, as well as from the scene of the incident. This will reduce the possibility of looting and other crimes in the affected area and minimize interference and injury.
 

The El Paso County Health Department is responsible for the supervision and storage of all radioactive materials within the City of Colorado Springs. Radiation detection equipment for establishing safety zones is located in stations of the Fire Department and at the Health Department.

Officers will not handle known or suspected radioactive materials, in any way, but will protect the scene from unauthorized citizens and stand by for the Colorado Springs Fire Department Hazardous Materials Response Team and the Health Department personnel, who will be contacted by Communications.

Evacuation procedures and distances should be determined by radiation specialists from the agencies. If specialists are not readily available, keep all persons back at least 500 feet and out of smoke, fumes or dust.

This General Order discusses the criminal or terrorist release of chemical, biological or radiological agents.  Inadvertent hazardous materials releases are addressed in G.O. 458 Hazardous Materials Incidents. 

All sworn officers through the rank of Lieutenant have been issued a respirator, adapter, two air purifying canisters, a Level C suit, gloves and overboots which shall be worn if working in or near a contaminated area.  The Colorado Springs Fire Department Hazardous Materials Unit will provide specific guidance on when this personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn at a contaminated site. 

G.O. 110, Emergency Notifications
G.O. 450, Tactical Enforcement Unit (T.E.U.)
G.O. 465, Hostage Situations
G.O. 455, Bomb Threats and Explosives Incidents
G.O. 1008, Patrol Bureau: Functions
CALEA Standards 46.1.4; 46.2.1
 

Like hostage situations, barricaded suspects pose an extreme danger, not only to officers who seek to arrest them, but to other persons as well. Good judgment demands that a tactical plan be developed rather than immediately rushing a barricaded suspect, and that specially trained personnel be summoned to the scene. Nevertheless, certain preliminary procedures outlined in this directive must be followed to ensure that the Department's response is effective.
 

These procedures will be followed, when possible, by the units initially responding to the scene:

• Secure the area so that a barricaded suspect cannot escape. This may involve requests by the officer in command at the scene for additional units.
• Clear the area of bystanders and evacuate adjoining buildings or apartments, if necessary and possible.
• Re-route traffic from the scene; request a barricade truck and additional personnel, if necessary.
• Advise Communications of the situation and request the presence of a supervisor.
• Once a barricaded suspect is isolated, time is to the benefit of the Department. Officers initially responding should wait for arrival of a supervisor, unless there is imminent danger to life.
• When the situation has been verified as a barricaded suspect incident, or is reasonably believed to be so, the Tactical Enforcement Unit shall be notified.
• Officers initially responding will assist in obtaining necessary medical treatment for, and evacuation of, injured victims. If it is determined that evacuation may be unsafe for the officer or others, the on-scene supervisor may elect to proceed with a rescue plan or request the assistance of the Tactical Enforcement Unit to effect a rescue.
• Establish an inner perimeter to prevent the escape of the suspect. The first T.E.U. officers arriving on the scene will take over the inner perimeter positions. Replaced officers will advise the tactical officers of the situation and proceed to the Command Post for debriefing. They may then be used to establish an outer perimeter.
• The outer perimeter will be established as a buffer zone to prevent bystanders from entering a potentially dangerous zone. The Patrol supervisor will be responsible for establishing the outer boundary, usually 1 - 2 blocks in all directions from the suspect's location.

The supervisor first notified of a barricaded suspect situation will respond to the scene immediately. While enroute, the supervisor will notify Communications of the response and estimated time of arrival. 

When at the scene, the supervisor will:

• Review action taken and make necessary changes, as needed.
• Establish a temporary command center and advise Communications of the location.
• Have Communications relay a request, if not already made, to the appropriate Watch Commander, for activation of the Tactical Enforcement Unit and for performing appropriate notifications, as required in G.O. 110, Emergency Notifications.
• Perform any other duties or functions believed necessary.
• Supervisors should not attempt to make contact with the barricaded suspect before the arrival of the Tactical Enforcement Unit, except when a continued lack of communication causes the situation to deteriorate. In case of the latter, communications with the suspect, and attempts to persuade the suspect to voluntarily surrender, may begin at any time. These attempts will be made, in lieu of force, unless the lives of Department personnel or citizens are in jeopardy.

Upon being notified of a barricaded suspect situation, the Commander of the Tactical Enforcement Unit, or designee, will ensure that adequate unit personnel and equipment are assembled at a designated location. Communications will be notified of the assembly point. Upon arriving at the scene, the Commander or designee will contact the on-scene supervisor and set up a permanent command post.

When authorized to perform a specialized function, the Tactical Enforcement Unit Commander, or designee, shall assume command of tactical operations at the scene. Once command is assumed, coordination and tactics become the responsibility of the Tactical Enforcement Unit Commander or designee. Overall control and responsibility remain with the ranking officer present.

Except in exigent circumstances, any forced entry or use of tear gas must be authorized by the Patrol Support Commander or a Staff Officer.

It will be the responsibility of the T.E.U. Commander to ensure that the Fire Department, ambulance/medical personnel, and any other appropriate services are available at or near the Command Post. The T.E.U. Commander will also verify that the Public Information Officer is called to the scene to coordinate news media activities, in accordance with G.O. 1550, Public Information Office and News Media.

To designate responsibilities of initial response and specialized units in hostage situations.
 

G.O. 110, Emergency Notifications
G.O. 450, Tactical Enforcement Unit (T.E.U.)
G.O. 455, Bomb Threats and Explosives Incidents
G.O. 1008, Patrol Bureau: Functions
SOP C1-14 Crisis Negotiatoon Unit
CALEA Standards 46.1.4; 46.2.1; 46.2.4
 

The safety of hostages, of the general public, and of police personnel is the paramount concern in any hostage situation. The safety of hostages can be best assured by keeping them in the presence of officers, by preventing their removal by the suspect, and by quickly summoning a specially trained Crisis Negotiator.  See G.O. 1008, Patrol Bureau: Functions , paragraph .43, SOP C1-14, Crisis Negotiation Unit.  Team .

In all cases, when a negotiator is needed, the Tactical Enforcement Unit will be called out. The safety of the general public must be assured by police containment of the incident site and control of the vicinity, and by such other measures as the situation dictates, which will almost always include evacuation, traffic control, and control of spectators.
 

The units initially responding to the scene will do the following, as quickly as possible:

• Secure the area so that the suspect cannot escape. This may involve requests for additional units, by the officer in command at the scene.
• Seek adequate positions that afford maximum cover and concealment.
• Communicate their positions to each other, being aware of cross-fire patterns and other hazards.
• Avoid provocations that may increase risk to the victim(s).

 After the building or structure is contained:

• The field supervisor should assign additional units such as detectives, plain clothes officers, etc., to evacuate surrounding homes or buildings.
• All traffic, vehicular and pedestrian, should be immediately routed out of the inner perimeter. Traffic control units and a barricade truck should be summoned if necessary. Communications personnel will make notifications after obtaining situational information.
• Evaluate what avenues of escape are available to the suspect. Vehicles accessible to the suspect should be blocked, or disabled, whenever it can be done without incurring unacceptable risks.

Gather and forward all pertinent intelligence information while officers are in their containment positions. The following information about the suspect should be gathered, if possible:

• Specific location;
• Description (physical and clothing);
• Activities or movements;
• Type of weapon(s) used or available;
• Statements/demands made by the suspect.

All officers shall be aware of the high potential for injury or death to hostages and on-scene personnel. All movements and tactics shall be made only after careful consideration and upon sound judgment.

Strict adherence to Code 1 procedures is essential, with brief transmissions between field units and dispatchers.

After Patrol officers are relieved by TEU officers at their containment positions, they shall report to the Command Post to brief the TEU Commanding Officer on all pertinent information.

Adjoining police agencies should be notified of the hostage situation, should additional resources be necessary.
 

The first supervisor notified, of an actual or suspected hostage situation, will respond to the scene immediately. While enroute, the supervisor shall:

• Notify Communications of the response and estimated time of arrival.
• Ensure that a minimum of three (3) department negotiators and the Command Duty Officer are notified. Emergency Notification Procedures should be followed according to G.O. 110, Emergency Notifications .

When at the scene, the supervisor shall:

• Review action taken and determine if additional police or non-police resources are needed.
• Establish a temporary command center and advise Communications of its location.
• Advise Communications of current status of the incident.
• Inform the Shift Lieutenant shift Lieutentant Command Duty Officer of the details, action taken, and resources at the scene.
• Take action indicated by the situation, or at the direction of superiors.
• When specialized units report their arrival at the scene, inform such personnel, when possible, of the details of the incident.
• Determine that the area is secure and use every verbal and tactical tool to ensure the safety of the hostage and the arrest of the suspect.
• Ensure that a Department Crisis Negotiator is advised of the situation and is responding to the scene.
• Ensure that the Tactical Enforcement Unit Commanding Officer, or designee, is notified of the situation.
• Perform any other duties or functions believed necessary.

When it has been confirmed that a hostage situation does in all probability exist, the on-scene supervisor shall yield command of the scene to the Tactical Enforcement Unit Commanding Officer or designee.
 

When notified, the officer designated as a Crisis Negotiator will:

• Respond to the scene immediately.
• On arrival, report to the officer in command of the situation.
• Remain under the functional supervision of the on-scene Commanding Officer, regardless of the ranks of the negotiator and on-scene Commanding Officer. 
• Obtain the details of the situation from the on-scene Commanding Officer, as necessary to conduct negotiations.
• Prepare an after action report to be included with the after action report prepared by TEU.

Department negotiators will remain available to perform the negotiation function until relieved by the on-scene Commanding Officer. Once authority is given to begin negotiating, the officer doing the negotiation will be in command of all negotiation personnel.  The designated negotiator will have authority to conduct the negotiations, under the guidance of the tactical Commanding Officer, in a manner to peacefully resolve the situation, using all available resources, and in conjunction with the overall tactical plan.

Negotiators may use food, clothing, water, or other non-alcoholic beverages, as negotiable items. Certain items are not negotiable, without specific approval by the Tactical Enforcement Unit Commanding Officer or a Staff Officer. These are:

• Any weapons or ammunition
• Additional or replacement hostages, whether civilian or police
• Illegal narcotics or any controlled substance
• Alcohol

However, anything may be negotiated after specific review and approval by the TEU Commanding Officer or a Staff Officer.
 

When any specialized unit has been notified of a hostage situation, its Commanding Officer will ensure that adequate unit personnel and equipment are assembled at a designated location. Communications will be notified of the assembly area. The specialized unit will then stand by until notified to respond to the scene. Once notified to respond, these procedures will apply:

• While enroute, notify Communications of estimated time of arrival.
• Upon arrival, report to the on-scene Commanding Officer.
• Act under the direction of the Tactical Enforcement Unit Commanding Officer or designee, who will be responsible for all tactics; close coordination with the Crisis Negotiator is essential.

When the Bomb Squad is activated, its officers will report to the Tactical Enforcement Unit Commanding Officer, or designee, for assignment.

Under no conditions will any officer, or any other person acting for the Police Department, go into the inner perimeter of a scene without the knowledge and approval of the Tactical Enforcement Unit Commanding Officer, or designee, once the Tactical Enforcement Unit has assumed command.

It will be the responsibility of the T.E.U. Commanding Officer to ensure that the Fire Department, ambulance/medical personnel, and any other appropriate services are available at or near the Command Post. The T.E.U. Commanding Officer will also verify that the Public Information Officer is called to the scene to coordinate news media activities, in accordance with G.O. 1550, Public Information Office and News Media.

Except in exigent circumstances, any forced entry, use of force against the suspect, or use of chemical agents, must be authorized by the Patrol Support Commanding Officer or a Staff Officer.

The Tactical Enforcement Unit Commanding Officer should make chase vehicles available, should the hostage taker move from the scene. Undercover surveillance vehicles should also be available, to supply intelligence information, if the deployment of marked units poses a threat to the hostage. Whenever possible, travel routes of the suspect and hostage should receive traffic control to reduce the risk of injury to bystanders.
 

Crisis negotiators must be carefully screened and selected. Candidates must undergo the following selection process:

• Submit a resume detailing experience as a law enforcement professional.
• Undergo an oral examination to demonstrate verbal and problem-solving skills.
• Successfully complete a psychological screening examination and interview with the Police Psychologist.

G.O. 450, Tactical Enforcement Unit (T.E.U.)
G.O. 710, Force, Detention, and Arrest – Less-Lethal Force
G.O. 475, VIP Security
CALEA Standard 46.1.10
 

The Department handles a wide variety of special events each year. These events range from large scale, such as the Fourth of July celebration at Memorial Park and the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, to parades, foot races, bicycle races and rides, and block parties.
 

 A single supervisor will be designated by the Chief of Police as the Special Events Coordinator.  The Special Events Coordinator will also serve as the Colorado Springs Police Department representative on the City Special Events Team.  Depending upon the size and scope of a particular event, a Staff Officer, Commander, Lieutenant or Sergeant may be designated as the Event Commanding Officer. The Event Commanding Officer is responsible for:

• Ensuring that sufficient manpower is available to handle the anticipated crime and traffic control problems.  The Commanding Officer may elect to use Special Operations personnel such as Tactical Enforcement, Canine, N.P.U., Park Police or Cadets.
• Developing a written estimate of traffic control and crime problems that may be anticipated.
• Establishing a Command Post for major events and ensuring sufficient equipment is available for crowd and riot control, to include: 
  • Chemical agents
  • Riot helmets and shields
  • Mass arrest kit
• Ensuring appropriate vehicles are available for transportation, in case of mass arrest.
• Providing adequate manpower for the logistical requirements of a prolonged event.
• Coordinating with other C.S.P.D. units to ensure the orderly and successful completion of the special event.
• Coordinating with outside agencies whenever a joint effort is required.  This could include other police departments, the Sheriff's Department, military installations, or other City components such as Park and Recreation, Fire or Risk Management.

To set forth procedures to be used at checkpoints established to control access to area protected by police lines.
 

G.O. 470, Special Events
G.O. 475, VIP Security
G.O. 480, Civil Disturbances and Demonstrations
G.O. 701, First Amendment Rights
 

At times, it is necessary to establish police lines at certain high-risk public demonstrations to separate demonstrators from observers, counter-demonstrators, etc. In some instances, checkpoints are set up to control movement across police lines and to prevent the presence of weapons inside secured areas.
 

Colorado Springs Police employees shall follow the procedures set forth in this General Order, to insure the preservation of individual rights, when operating checkpoints in the interest of public safety.
 

To establish guidelines for VIP protection duties.
 

G.O. 110, Emergency Notifications
G.O. 450, Tactical Enforcement Unit
G.O. 470, Special Events
G.O. 1008, Patrol Bureau Functions
CALEA Standard 46.1.9
 

The Commander of the Central Division is designated as Incident Commander whenever VIP security is required. These occasions require close coordination of personnel from throughout the Department. The Commander of the Central Division will consult with the Commander of the Metro VNI Division to assess criminal intelligence information that may impact VIP security operations.  The safety and security of the VIP is the overriding objective of all units involved.
 

The Commander is responsible for:

• Ensuring the availability of sufficient and appropriate equipment, which will include, at a minimum:
  • Body armor for the VIP, if necessary.
  • Special purpose weapons for Tactical officers.
  • Vehicles for necessary police functions, including escorts.
• Ensuring that travel routes and alternative routes are inspected in advance.
• Ensuring that facilities and sites to be visited by the VIP are inspected in advance, to include bomb sweeps if deemed appropriate.
• Evaluating existing intelligence and initiating the gathering of additional information, if warranted.
• Coordinating the interaction of the CSPD with the Secret Service, and/or other security agencies assigned to the protection of the VIP.
• Establishing routes for emergency medical services while the VIP is mobile. Having a plan in place to accommodate the delivery of emergency medical services to the sites the VIP is visiting.
• Establishing a communication system among CSPD officers and implementing a plan for an inter-agency communications link.
• Establishing an identification system for plain clothes officers, from all involved agencies, either by display of official police identification cards or by a system using identifiers such as lapel pins.

As civil disturbances or demonstrations can involve law enforcement agencies in an unpredictable variety of situations, a comprehensive list of cross-references is impossible. The General Orders listed below, however, should certainly be consulted.

G.O. 762, Mass Arrests
G.O. 760, Physical Arrest
G.O. 740, Determining Probable Cause
G.O. 1415, Mutual Aid Agreements
G.O. 1550, Public Information Office and News Media

Tactics employed by dissidents engaged in disruptive activities frequently include efforts to draw police, and other public officials, into responses likely to produce violence and injury to participants and, thus, garner support for their cause. Department personnel must therefore deal with disruptive situations in a manner that will minimize the potential for violent confrontations.

Demonstrations are often highly emotional incidents. The demonstrators and others in the area are committed to their various causes and their possibly conflicting rights. In such situations, department personnel will strive to remain objective in order to maintain effectiveness. Once the appearance of objectivity is lost, the department's presence at a demonstration may increase tensions and make the police task even more difficult. Department personnel assigned to the scene of a demonstration will strive to maintain an outward appearance of calmness, whether the task involved is simply standing by protecting participants from hostile persons, or making necessary arrests of violent participants.

The first officer at the scene of a civil disturbance or demonstration should observe the situation, from a distance, and evaluate it before taking action. If the situation demands, the officer shall notify Communications of the situation.  The Communications Center will notify a supervisor to respond to the scene.

Officers' actions will be coordinated by a supervisor. Only requested units shall respond to the scene. Officers will report to the supervisor after parking their vehicles, in one group, away from the crowd. One officer will be assigned to guard the vehicles against damage. Individual officers should avoid driving their cars into the center of the crowd and acting individually.

In the event that intelligence information is received prior to a scheduled demonstration or disturbance, that information will be forwarded to the division shift lieutenant of the division in which the demonstration or disturbance is to occur and to the lieutenant of Patrol Support.  The division shift lieutenant will request input and additional assistance from Patrol Support if necessary.  The division shift lieutenant will have the responsibility to ensure that the appropriate planning is coordinated, establishing the required personnel resources to be made available, strategies and contingencies to be utilized, and equipment needed.  To the extent possible, guidelines from the C.S.P.D. Unusual Occurrence Manual Emergency Operations Plan will be adhered to.  The Division Commander and Deputy Chief of Patrol will be briefed on all plans made to determine the level of involvement required.

Officers will strive to ensure that a disciplined and coordinated department response is maintained at the scene of a demonstration.  Officers shall not act alone unless a loss of life or great bodily harm could result to persons from the conduct of participants. When mere property damage is imminent, officers will coordinate their response through assigned supervisors and perform tasks as directed. Supervisors will remain at the scene and continually seek information concerning location and number of demonstrators, emotional condition of the crowd and resources available to effectively maintain order.

Often times, participants or on-lookers to a civil disturbance or demonstration will engage in violent or illegal behavior.  Whenever a participant uses physical violence upon an officer, another person or property, officers should use the appropriate amount of force necessary to protect themselves, other persons, or property.  Whenever possible, supervisors or staff members present shall make the determination whether to arrest or not based on the availability of resources and the volatility of the demonstration or disturbance.  Whenever possible and appropriate, demonstrators engaging in illegal behavior shall be warned that their continued behavior could result in their arrest.

Department personnel assigned to the scene of a demonstration will cooperate with the press: writers, photographers, radio and television personnel. News media representatives have a constitutional right to cover demonstrations, though they must not violate the law.

Those with a right to cover or photograph demonstrations are obviously not limited to representatives of the papers, radio or television stations. Persons who represent some of this city's small newspapers or magazines, free-lancers, and other citizens are also entitled to take notes or photographs.

As a matter of law, the press has no special right to be present if an unlawful assembly is declared; nevertheless, in such situations, officers shall attempt to discriminate between non-obstructing members of the press and voluntary participants in the unlawful assembly.

Department personnel will treat demonstrators, onlookers or counter-demonstrators equally.

A dispersal order must be given before a person can be guilty of remaining at a place of riot, rout or unlawful assembly. If the supervisor in charge at a disturbance scene decides to declare an unlawful assembly, such supervisor should go as near to the crowd as is safe and make an audible statement having the following form:

• This is (rank and name), a police officer of the City of Colorado Springs. I do hereby declare this an unlawful assembly and in the name of the People of the State of Colorado I command you to immediately disperse.
• A reasonable time must be allowed for compliance. An order for arrest may then be given.

To specify actions to be taken and guidelines to be used in domestic disturbance incidents. Included are provisions relating to: 

• Emergency Protection Orders;
• Temporary and Permanent Protection Restraining Orders;
• No Contact/Mandatory Protection Restraining provisions of the Personal Recognizance Bond for Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Offenses

G.O. 612, Restraining Protection Orders
G.O. 740, Determining Probable Cause
G.O. 760, Physical Arrest Patrol SOP P1-23
CALEA Standards 1.2.6; 1.2.7; 42.2.7; 55.2.2; 81.2.8
 

Domestic disturbance calls for service are serious matters requiring appropriate handling by police officers, particularly when there is probable cause that crimes against persons have been committed. Failure to take the appropriate action often leads to later personal crimes involving the same parties and to repeated calls for police service. State statute requires that peace officers arrest any suspect when probable cause exists that an offense involving domestic violence has been committed.
 

CENTRAL REGISTRY--A computerized database maintained by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation that contains information relative to active restraining orders issued or registered in Colorado.  The database is accessible to law enforcement through the "wanted persons" query on MDCs, and other Department computers.  Information is supplied by the issuing court clerks, however, as a practical matter, it is possible that some orders that are valid may not be listed, or that orders which have expired remain in the system.  When in doubt, officers should attempt to verify orders through other sources.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE--Means an act, or threatened act, of violence upon a person with whom the actor is, or has been, involved in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence also includes any other crime against a person, or crime against property, or any municipal ordinance violation against a person, or against property, when used as a method of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation, or revenge, directed against a person with whom the actor is, or has been, involved in an intimate relationship.

INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP-- Means a relationship between spouses, former spouses, past or present unmarried couples, or persons who are both the parents of the same child, regardless of whether the persons have been married or have lived together at any time.

EMERGENCY PROTECTION ORDER (EPO)--These temporary orders may be issued by a county or district court judge, by telephone, at all times that the courts are otherwise closed for judicial business. The grounds for issuing the order are that an officer believes that an adult is in immediate and present danger of domestic abuse, based upon an allegation of a recent incident of actual domestic abuse, or threat of domestic abuse. The order shall expire not later than the close of judicial business on the third day of judicial business following the day of issue, unless continued by the court. The court may continue an Emergency Protection Order only if the plaintiff has filed a complaint for an restrainingprotection order, to prevent domestic abuse, ursuant to section §14-4-102, and the judge is unable to set a hearing on plaintiff's request for a temporary restraining protection order on the day the complaint was filed.

Officers may need to obtain EPOs in those domestic violence situations that involve non-intimate relationships, where the Domestic Violence Super Summons form cannot be used (e.g., violence between mother/son, brother/sister, father/son, etc.)

FOREIGN PROTECTION ORDER--Any protection or protection restraining order, injunction, or other order, issued for the purpose of preventing violent or threatening acts or harassment against, or contact or communication with, or physical proximity to another person, including temporary or final orders, other than child support or custody orders, issued by a civil or criminal court of another state, Indian tribe, or a US territory or commonwealth. 

PROTECTION RESTRAINING ORDER--An order issued by a county or district judge, for the protection of a person, upon application by that person, or by someone legally authorized to act for that person, that restricts, in specific ways, the actions of some other person.

MANDATORY PROTECTION RESTRAINING ORDER--In accordance with C.R.S. 18-1-1001, at the time of their first appearance before a judge, any person charged with a violation of any Title 18 crime, including but not limited to Domestic Violence offenses, has an automatic Mandatory Protection Restraining Order placed against them, effective until final disposition of the court case, that restrains them from harassing, molesting, intimidating, retaliating against, or tampering with any witness or victim of the crime. Such an order is typically issued, in writing, to Domestic Violence arrestees before they are released from CJC.   This order may or may not also contain 72 hour "no contact" provisions that prohibit the arrestee from having any kind of contact with the victim.  When considering probable cause for an arrest, officers must determine if the alleged acts violate the terms of the order issued in each case (e.g. any contact, or harassing/intimidating behavior)  If the protected person does not have a copy, the order can be verified by checking the CBI Central Registry and/or calling CJC Intake.

PERSONAL RECOGNIZANCE BOND FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES (PR Bond): Describes a procedure used by the CSPD, prior to May 1999, for the release of certain DV suspects. These procedures will no longer be used subsequent to May 17, 1999. Officers encountering Summons & Complaints originated when these procedures were in effect, such as an old pickup or signed complaint, will disregard the PR Bond and No Contact Order provisions listed on the form and will book these suspects into secure detention.

NO CONTACT ORDER--No Contact Orders may be issued by the Court, as a provision of Protection Restraining Orders in domestic violence cases, and may prohibit any contact whatsoever by the suspect with the victim. Any such orders issued by the Court, or issued with the authority of the Court through the El Paso County Sheriff's Department Office, will be enforced by officers of this Department. 

Prior to May 1999, CSPD arresting officers were authorized by the 4th Judicial Court to release certain persons arrested on misdemeanor Domestic Violence arrests on a Personal Recognizance bond, with provisions that they were to have No Contact with the victim for 72 hours. These provisions were changed in May 1999, and there are presently no provisions for CSPD officers to issue No Contact Orders, or for the release of DV arrestees outside of posting bond at jail.

There are no provisions for CSPD officers to issue No Contact Orders or for the release of DV arrestees outside of posting bond at the CJC. No Contact Orders that are part of the mandatory Protection Order are issued at the discretion of the judge at the time of advisement prior to release on bond.

MISDEMEANOR CRIME OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE--For the purpose of this General Order only, this term applies to instances that are being considered for federal prosecution, related to firearms possession by persons previously convicted of DV misdemeanors, in any jurisdiction.  Within this context, the term applies to convictions, not merely arrests, for misdemeanor crime and that include, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, guardian, a person with whom the victim is or has cohabited with, or shares parenthood of a child with.
 

If the officer finds probable cause that a crime has been committed, within the definition of  domestic violence, suspect and victim are or have been involved in an intimate relationship, the officer shall arrest the suspect without undue delay.  All persons arrested on offenses relating to Domestic Violence, including felonies, misdemeanors, and City ordinance violations, will be booked into a secure detention, facility, such as CJC or Spring Creek, as appropriate, and required to post bond. 

When visible injuries are present, officers are required to document them with photographs, whenever possible.  Any other evidence shall be collected to the degree it is reasonably possible, and preserved in accordance with existing policy.

All Domestic Violence initial investigations and arrests will be documented on a Domestic Violence (DV) Super Summons Form , as follows:

• If possible, the officer will obtain the victim's signature on the "complaining witness" line on the face of the Domestic Violence Form.  Changes to the Domestic Violence Summons in March of 2004 include the removal of the signature line for the victims from the face of the DV Summons.  The refusal of a victim to sign the complaint does not eliminate the requirement that the suspect be arrested if probable cause is established.
• The victim will be asked to complete and sign a written Victim's Statement, as well as the face of the form, but shall not be required to do so.  The fact that a victim declines to sign a complaint, or complete a statement, does not alter the obligations of the officer to make an arrest, based on probable cause.   In the event the victim does not complete a written statement, Probable probable cause for the arrest must be clearly established in the investigating officer's written statement.
• If the victim is transported to the hospital or indicates that he/she will seek medical attention, the "Authorization to Release Medical Information to the District Attorney/Law Enforcement HIPPA Authorization " form shall be signed, by the victim, and forwarded to the appropriate Investigations unit.  This form can be found on the front of the eighth page of the DV Super Summons.   On older DV packets, this release is a signature line on the back of the last page.
• The victim of domestic violence shall be advised that he/she has the right to be notified when the suspect is released from jail.  If the victim requests notification, the officer shall obtain the victim's signature on the "Victim Notification" line, located on the back of the last page. The Victim’s Notification Program form (Pumpkin colored) shall be completed by the officer as part of the DV Super Summons, to include the victim’s contact information. Additionally, the officer will assign the victim a PIN number to access the information via telephone and record it on the form. PIN numbers can be the victim’s SSN or any other number that is provided by the victim. If the victim declines notification the officer shall obtain the victim’s signature (or the officer can sign in victim’s stead) on the form.
• Officers will provide the victim with the blue Victim Copy of the DV Super Summons packet, incidental to their initial on-scene investigation, whether or not a suspect has been arrested or a pickup placed for a suspect at large.  The original Victim Copy should not be returned to CSPD files, nor should it be left with the original DV Super Summons packet when a pickup is placed.
• Officers will provide a Notification of Victim’s Rights form (Yellow colored) to the victim. The original white copy should be removed from the packet prior to booking or the placement of a pick-up and submitted through the regular Division report dissemination channels to the Record and Identification Unit.

Misdemeanor Arrest--If the officer finds probable cause that a misdemeanor crime has been committed, within the definition of domestic violence, the officer shall complete a DV Super Summons  Form Summons and Complaint as follows:

• Charges shall be written into County Court rather than Municipal Court, unless the only violation for which probable cause exists is a Municipal Code violation having no corresponding State charge.
• The officer will write "Post Bond" in the defendant's signature block of the DV Summons & Complaint.  When an arrest is made, the defendant's copy will be left with booking personnel when the suspect is booked into CJC or Spring Creek.  If the form being used still contains a Personal Recognizance Bond and No Contact Order section, the officer will draw a line through the entire section and will not otherwise use it. Forms that still contain a Personal Recognizance Bond and No Contact Order section are no longer authorized for use and should be destroyed and an up-to-date form completed.
• When officers making a misdemeanor DV arrest determine that during the same criminal episode the suspect has committed non-DV misdemeanor offenses, against other victims with whom they have no intimate relationship, the charges should be written on separate summonses, having the same court date and cross referenced to each other.  The DV charges relating to the original victim will be written on a DV Super Summons form, used as a Summons & Complaint, and the other charges written on a regular, non-DV summons that identifies the victim of those offenses.  If an offense report number is needed, the same number will be used on both summonses.  The suspect must be booked into CJC on the DV misdemeanors, however,may be served and released on the non-DV charges at the officer's discretion. 
• All Juvenile DV arrests require a typewritten Probable Cause Affidavit for booking into Spring Creek.

Felony Arrests--If the officer finds probable cause that a felony crime has been committed, within the definition of domestic violence, the officer shall complete a DV Form.  In felony cases, this form serves as the face sheet of the offense report.

• Officers should check the Offense Report and Felony boxes on the face of the Adult or Juvenile box on the front page of the DV Super Summons.  form, but not the Summons & Complaint box on older forms. The most serious Domestic Violence charge should be listed as Charge # 1 and will become the title of the DV offense report.  In addition to the Department's file copy, officers will prepare a complete photocopy of the entire packet and forward it to the appropriate investigative unit.  
• Officers shall check the appropriate class of the violation, felony, misdemeanor or both on the front page of the DV Super Summons.
•  In felony cases, officers will complete separate offense report supplements to document the details of their investigations.  Neither  The Summons Narrative nor the PC Affidavit portion of the DV Super Summons packet will be shall not be utilized in felony cases.
• A separate, typewritten and notarized PC Affidavit will be prepared in accordance with existing policy governing all felony arrests. 
• In any case involving the offenses of First or Second Degree Assault, in which the victim is treated at a hospital, officers will ask the attending physician to complete and sign a an Extent of Injury Physician's Statement form.  This does not relieve the officer from the responsibility for fully describing the victim's injuries, treatment, and prognosis in their own supplemental reports.  This form can be found on the back side of the HIPPA Authorization form on the eighth page of the DV Summons. 
• Occasionally, officers will encounter a case in which a Domestic Violence crime was committed, but events occurring during the same criminal episode result in a third party, with whom the suspect does not have an intimate relationship, being the victim of a felony offense, e.g. a suspect commits a 3rd Degree Assault against his wife, but during the course of his arrest, he commits a felony assault against a police officer or witness.  In such cases, only the Domestic Violence charges should be listed on the DV Super Summons face sheet, and a separate, non-DV supplemental face sheet should be used to identify the associated felony crime(s) and victim(s).  When the DV charges are misdemeanors, the DV Super Summons form is being used as one of two face sheets, and not as a Summons & Complaint for the misdemeanor offense(s).  Officers will not serve this on the suspect or obtain the defendant's signature on it, nor will they utilize the PC Affidavit section on the back of Page 1 to document the case. of the DV Super Summons.  If both the DV and non-DV charges are felonies, they should likewise be separated onto two face sheets, each of which identifies the proper victim(s).  Officers must use the same offense report number on both face sheets to insure that the crimes remain connected throughout the system.  This will eliminate a mistaken assumption that the DV victim was the victim of all the charges arising from the episode.  As in all cases involving misdemeanor and felony charges arising from the same criminal episode, all charges must be filed together on PC Affidavits, Information for Preliminary Procedure forms, and custody reports. 
• The defendant shall be taken to CJC or Spring Creek, as appropriate, and required to post bond.  If the defendant is a juvenile, the Juvenile Screener must be contacted for authority to place him/her in any secure detention facility.

Officers should remain cognizant of the fact that cases involving allegations of domestic violence may receive increased scrutiny from supervisors, prosecutors, judges, and community groups.  For this reason, officers should make reasonable efforts to conduct as thorough an investigation as is practicable, under the circumstances, even in cases involving relatively minor criminal allegations.  Officers should attempt to personally interview victims and suspects, as well as identify and interview witnesses, whenever practical.  When visible injuries are present, officers shall photograph them whenever possible, and should carefully describe them in the narrative portion of their report or the DV Super Summons. packet.  A statement from the attending physician should be included in the officer's report, if the victim receives medical treatment incidental to the initial investigation.  Officers should review the victim's written statement, if any, for thoroughness and elements of the crime alleged, and should document their own observations, including those facts that serve to corroborate or refute statements of involved parties, on the Summons Narrative, the old form, or the PC Affidavit on the new form portion of the DV Super Summons packet or in offense report supplements.  Officers may, at their discretion, obtain an Offense Report number for those domestic violence events that would not otherwise require a case report if they feel it will facilitate the investigation or thorough documentation of details in supplemental reports.

Arrests for events that did not occur within an officer's presence must be based on probable cause, regardless of the insistence or reluctance of a party to sign a complaint.  It is the responsibility of investigating officers and supervisors to determine if probable cause exists for an arrest; when it does, the facts supporting it must be clearly documented by the officer, the victim, or both.  When probable cause cannot be established, officers shall not take a signed complaint, make an arrest, or file criminal charges, even if a complainant demands to sign a complaint.  When officers are uncertain whether or not probable cause exists, supervisory guidance should be obtained.  Colorado statute stipulates that an officer is not required to arrest both parties merely because both claim to be victims, nor does it require an officer to arrest either party when the officer believes that no probable cause exists. (CRS 18-6-803.6) 

On occasion, officers will receive complaints of domestic violence from two or more persons.  The officer shall evaluate each complaint,separately, to determine if a crime has been committed by one or more persons.  In determining whether a crime has been committed by one or more persons, according to Colorado Revised Statute 18-6-803.6, the officer shall shall consider the following:

• Any prior complaints of Domestic Violence
• The relative severity of the injuries inflicted on each person
• The likelihood of future injury to each person
• The possibility that one of the persons acted in self-defense

The acceptance of counter-complaints, in which both parties to the incident are charged, may be counter-productive and difficult to successfully prosecute.  Officers faced with such a situation should make every reasonable effort to fully investigate the circumstances and should attempt to establish or rule out possible legal justifications for a participant's actions, including those of self defense and defense of another.  Evidence that indicates one party to the incident was the initial aggressor, that one party used force in their own defense or in an effort to escape, and similar facts should be evaluated before a decision is reached to charge both parties.  This does not preclude the arrest of both parties if probable cause exists that both committed a Domestic Violence offense.

In cases where probable cause for an arrest cannot be established, officers may consider other methods for remediating of remediation the situation when appropriate.  Options that might be employed could include suggestions for the couple arranging for separate short term accommodations, providing reference to counseling or support groups, etc.  In extreme cases, officers may consider seeking an Emergency Protection Order from the on-call judge.  In domestic cases where no probable cause exists for an arrest, hence, no DV Form Super Summons is completed, the officer shall refer the victim to available DV resources such as T.E.S.S.A and provide them with a Domestic Violence Referral Card when possible.  give the reporting person a Domestic Violence Referral Card.

Whether an arrest is made on a DV Super Summons Summons & Complaint, or the crime incident is documented as a case report on a DV Super Summons packet, CSPD Records must be provided with information on both suspect and victim.  Newer A DV Super Summons includes DV packets include a yellow CSPD District Attorney copy with both suspect and victim information on the front and victim information on the back.  which accomplishes this purpose.  Officers utilizing older DV packets that do not include the yellow CSPD copy, must submit a photocopy of the Defendant Information on the front page of the DV Summons, and victim information on the backpage, Victim Information from the back page of the District Attorney copy, and PC Affidavit Summons Narrative portion of the DV Form to CSPD Records to serve as the Department's file copy.  Whether using old or new DV packets, Officers will make a second complete copy of all pages, to include PC Affidavit and Victim's Statement, in any case that will be followed up or filed by any Investigations unit.  This will be forwarded to the appropriate investigative unit as soon as possible.  Because of additional filing requirements in Juvenile Court, officers charging any juvenile suspect in a DV case, whether misdemeanor or felony, will immediately forward these copies to Investigations.

If an investigation of an alleged DV incident yields no Probable Cause and there is no anticipated future arrest but it still warrants documentation, the officer should document the steps taken and decision made by completing an Incident Report on a regular CSPD Face Sheet entitled, “Domestic Incident.” In this particular instance, no DV Summons is required.

Misdemeanor and felony offenses occurring between family members who are not, and have not been in an intimate relationship, such as parent vs. child, sibling vs. sibling, etc., do not fit the statutory definition of Domestic Violence, and should be documented and charged on regular, non-DV offense reports and forms.  Such misdemeanors should be charged on a regular Summons and Complaint, and written into Municipal Court whenever possible.  Felonies will be documented and charged in accordance with existing procedure for non-DV offenses.
 

If the suspect cannot be located prior to going off-shift, the officer shall complete a pickup in accordance with SOP P1-23 and deliver it along with the following paperwork to Records and ID.   Copies of the DV paperwork may be faxed to records and ID and the original paperwork described below sent via interoffice mail.

Misdemeanors: The completed DV Summons Form Summons & Complaint, with an original probable cause affidavit and . The handwritten Summons Narrative or PC Affidavit portion on the back of Page 1 6   of the DV Packet may be used as the PC Affidavit in misdemeanor cases, so long as it is legible and contains sufficient detail to establish probable cause.  When so used, this original page will be signed by the officer affiant and notarized. 

Felonies:  A completed DV Super Summons Form, used as a felony face sheet, with an original PC affidavit and Information for Preliminary Procedure attached.  Felony  PC Affidavits should not be handwritten, but will be typed on a separate page.  The original must be signed and notarized.  A photocopy of the PC Affidavit will be attached to each copy of the summons. packet.