25-065 Clarification on 802 Standby Requests

Department Notice

San Francisco Police Department

This document is not an official representation of the published policy. To access the official signed policy, please contact us at [email protected].

25-065
Published: 
Expire: 

The purpose of this notice is to clarify the role and responsibilities of the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD), EMS/Community Paramedicine, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ( OCME) at the scene of a death. This is a summary of those department's policies as they apply to the San Francisco Police Department responding for an 802 standby.

Background: 
The OCME no longer responds to every death in the field, and there has been inconsistency and confusion about whether SFFD requests SFPD for an 802 stand-by when the OCME is not responding. SFFD and SFPD leadership have determined that a 905 is not needed when the OCME is not responding, and SFFD has issued an internal policy to clarify expectations.

Summary:

  1. In the case of a death in the field, the OCME shall be notified by the paramedic that pronounced death.
  2. The OCME may choose to come to the scene to investigate the death if:
  • The death is suspicious
  • The death is in public view
  • The death was unexpected
  • The death was traumatic
  1. If the OCME chooses to investigate the death:
  • SFFD will request SFPD to respond for an 802 standby
  • SFFD personnel must stay on scene until the arrival of either SFPD or the OCME.
  1. If the OCME determines that a death investigation is not warranted:
  • SFFD will not call SFPD for an 802 standby
  • SFFD members shall inform building security and /or immediate family members that the OCME will not be coming to the scene and that building security and /or immediate family must call a funeral home.
  • If there is a disagreement about whether the OCME shall respond, SFFD will call a Rescue Captain if one is not already on scene.
  • SFFD will provide the OCME contact information to the family contact if present.
  1. EXCEPTION:
  • If the OCME determines a death investigation is not warranted, but there is no responsible party to take custody of the body, the OCME will respond for a "no responsible party pickup"
  • If the body cannot be secured until OCME arrival (i.e. door does not close, no building manager to grant access), SFPD will be called for an 802 standby.
  1. Dispatch: In all cases, prior to an 802 standby being set up for SFPD, Dispatch will review the call and confirm that the OCME is responding and that an ETA has been requested.

The OCME makes the determination whether they are responding. If the OCME is responding and SFFD makes a 905 request for a stand-by, then SFPD must respond.

Once on scene, SFPD shall refer to DGO 6.05 "Death Cases" for further direction.

/s/
WILLIAM SCOTT 
Chief of Police

Per DN 23-152, all sworn & non-sworn members shall electronically acknowledge this Department document in PowerDMS within (30) thirty calendar days of issuance. Members whose duties are relevant to this document shall be held responsible for compliance. Any questions regarding this policy should be sent to [email protected] who will provide additional information.