Policy
Officers are authorized to make forcible entries into dwellings on "Check the Welfare," medical "panic alarm," or other medical emergency situations when they follow the procedures below:
- The officers can determine from their own observations that someone inside needs help or call is received, and, if possible, the caller is identified;
- Facts are evident or presented by the caller that make it reasonable to believe that the subject is inside the dwelling and needs assistance;
- Officers are unable to elicit a response from inside the dwelling after knocking, phoning or calling out;
- A supervisor is notified prior to entry, except in circumstances demanding immediate attention. In such circumstances a supervisor will be notified as soon as possible after entry.
Entry will be made with as little force and damage as possible, and the building will be secured in accordance with Section Securing Open Buildings. The entry will be documented on an Offense/Incident report, and entitled "Forcible Entry," with "BOARD" listed as a second or third incident code if BOARD UP PLUS was called to secure the building.