7-202 - Incidents Requiring the Notification of a Watch Commander

Policy

1. Upon completion of their duty shift, all Watch Commanders shall make a comprehensive report for any critical incident or major event and forward the report to the Chief of Police, Assistant Chief and Deputy Chiefs. Unusual or other unique situations should be noted on the log. 
2. Supervisors/officers shall notify the Watch Commander of incidents that may be of unusual concern to the department or require large-scale police action.

1. When warranted, the Watch Commander shall notify and instruct the Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center (MECC) to make the necessary notifications.

3. Such incidents include but are not limited to:

1. Arrests of MPD employees.

1. Notify employee’s commander, assist with any action needed (secure work area, keys, etc.). Note name of commander/supervisor contacted on log.
2. Briefly note incident on log. Do not list employee’s name on the log.
3. Send a memo or separate email to employee’s Bureau Head.

2. Death or injuries to MPD employees or citizens seriously injured during a police action.
3. A seriously ill MPD employee.
4. Incidents involving diplomats, celebrities, legislators, law enforcement personnel or other notable persons.
5. Hazardous material emergencies.

1. Provide assistance to Fire Department (usually the lead agency) or other HAZMAT agencies.

6. Disasters:

• Weather
• Major fires
• Major traffic accident
• Aircraft crashes, etc.

7. Disturbances:

• Mass arrests
• Demonstrations
• Riots
• Strikes, etc.

8. Explosives and incendiary, nuclear, biological and/or chemical incidents.
9. Tactical situations including multiple high-risk warrants.
10. Requests from other agencies for assistance outside the city.
11. Emergency escorts outside the city. **Note: MPD does not transport for other agencies unless MPD has specifically requested pick up. This includes juveniles, requests to meet at the border, etc. See P&P 6-100 on Specific Call Procedures.
12. Missing/found children of a young age:

1. See Amber Alert Administrative Announcement—state or nationwide broadcast information of missing children. (710 will coordinate issuance of Amber Alerts.)

13. When State Patrol helicopter assistance has been requested.

- Note: Any supervisor can contact the State Patrol for helicopter assistance.

14. Homicides, suicides, all DOA’s, aggravated assaults with great bodily harm, life-threatening serious felonies, business robberies.
15. Vehicle pursuits.

1. Note name of sergeant responsible, for memo to Assistant Chief or Deputy Chief.
2. Respond to scene of pursuit conclusion as requested (except in the event a pursuit is terminated by officers/ supervisor).

16. Cases with complex information.
17. Personnel (shift) holdovers, unit closures, etc.
18. Pre-planned major events taking place during a Watch Commander’s shift such as presidential visits, large concerts, etc.
19. Notification from Secret Service, FBI or similar agencies.

1. Ensure communiqués are forwarded to Police Administration via email or hand delivered.
2. If the situation requires an immediate response, contact the Chief/Assistant Chief or Deputy Chief(s) and take action as required.

20. Information or incidents regarding Homeland Security.

1. Ensure information is forwarded immediately to the Strategic Operations & Intelligence Division, Emergency Preparedness Unit and Police Administration.
2. Complete a CAPRS report entitled “HOMLND.”
3. If the situation requires immediate administrative response or advice, contact the Strategic Operations & Intelligence Division commander.
4. If the situation requires immediate field or tactical response, contact 1) Strategic Operations & Intelligence Division commander, 2) the Chief /Assistant Chief and Deputy Chiefs.

21. Inability to contact officer after “emergency radio trip.”

1. Coordinate attempts to contact with MECC (see MECC procedures).

22. Officer discharge of firearm (see MPD P&P 5-300).
23. Officer-involved shooting (see MPD P&P 5-300).
24. 36/48 Hour Holds.

1. In unique circumstances, the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center (HCADC) may contact the Watch Commander for direction.

2. Watch Commanders shall coordinate needed actions with the unit supervisor or investigator.

25. Assist with Judicial Review if requested (Normally Car 710 will handle Judicial Review).
26. Any incident an employee feels should be brought to the attention of the Watch Commander and/or MPD Administration.

• Aggravated Aggressive Resistance or Aggravated Assault:

  The person displays the intent to imminently harm the member, themselves or another person, and the person’s actions are likely to result in great bodily harm or death.

  Examples include:

  • Use of a firearm.
  • Use of a blunt or bladed weapon.
  • Extreme physical force.
• Amber Alert: Utilizes the State's Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Minnesota Crime Alert Network (MNCAN). It allows law enforcement agencies to collaborate with local broadcasters through the use of an early-warning system to alert the public when a child is in danger.
• Bodily Harm: Physical pain or injury, illness, or any impairment of physical condition.
• Critical Incident:

  An incident involving any of the following situations occurring in the line of duty:

  • The use of Deadly Force by or against a Minneapolis Police Officer
  • Death or Great Bodily Harm to an officer
  • Death or Great Bodily Harm to a person who is in the custody or control of an officer
  • Any action by an officer that causes or is intended to cause Death or Great Bodily Harm
• Demonstration: An assembly of people organized primarily to engage in First Amendment activity. They include, but are not limited to, marches, protests, and other assemblies intended to attract attention.
• Firearms/Ammunition/Firearm Accessories: A device that projects either single or multiple projectiles at high velocity. Ammunition is a term meaning the assembly of a projectile and its propellant. Accessories include but are not limited to holsters, gun cases, firearm optics, suppression devices, cleaning supplies, etc.
• Great Bodily Harm: Bodily injury which creates a high probability of death, or which causes serious permanent disfigurement, or which causes a permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ, or other serious bodily harm (MN Statute section 609.02 Subd. 8).
• Juvenile: An individual who is under the age of eighteen (18) years.
• MECC: Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center is the city's 911 center that answers emergency and non-emergency calls and coordinates the appropriate response by public safety services.
• Missing Child:

  A person who is:

  • Younger than 18 years of age and
  • Whose whereabouts are unknown to the child’s parent, guardian or responsible party.