7-103 - Calls for Service

1. Calls for service include calls assigned by MECC, as well as self-initiated calls and any call an officer self-assigns to.

2. This policy applies to:

• On-duty uniformed officers
• Officers employed by an off-duty employer, in a law enforcement capacity as an MPD officer
• Off-duty officers taking any law enforcement action as an MPD officer

3. This policy covers uniformed officer response. Response to calls for service by plainclothes officers will be handled in accordance with P&P 10-202.

1. It is the policy of the Minneapolis Police Department to respond to all calls for service within a minimum amount of time after being dispatched or notified of the need for police service.

1. Officers shall respond without delay to calls for police service unless otherwise directed by proper authority. Emergency calls for service shall take precedence. However, all dispatched calls shall be answered as soon as possible consistent with departmental procedures.
2. If officers need to temporarily go out-of-service on a detail or otherwise be unavailable for calls, they shall notify their immediate supervisor and request permission for such details.
3. Officers working uniformed patrol or in a marked squad who wish to go out of service for a meal break shall request OTL status from the MECC dispatcher.

1. The request must include the requested OTL location.
2. The dispatcher may grant or deny OTL status based on call load and staffing levels.
3. Employees shall not take excessive time for meals and officers working two-officer squads must take OTL at the same time.
4. No more than three marked or unmarked squads may be OTL at the same public location unless officers are also participating in a community event.

2. Officers shall be responsible for responding to calls in a safe manner and assessing any need for additional assistance.

Calls assigned by MECC

1. The dispatcher shall have the authority to assign calls to all available sworn personnel, including superior officers.  Officers shall not refuse to take a call.
2. When an officer is unable to respond to an assigned call for any reason, the officer shall promptly notify the dispatcher and provide the reason for the change in status.
3. Officers shall not pass on to the succeeding shift any assigned calls without the permission of the shift supervisor.

Self-initiated calls

1. Any time an officer initiates a law enforcement action that was not part of a call assigned by MECC, the officer shall notify MECC to generate a call for service and assign to the call.

1. Any temporary detainment shall be considered a law enforcement action and requires a call for service. This includes, but is not limited to, all investigative stops and traffic stops.

2. Taking a report of criminal activity shall be considered a law enforcement action and requires a call for service.

2. If an officer is assisting a citizen, and is using MPD tools or resources to provide assistance (including a squad) or will be out of service for more than a short time, the officer shall notify MECC to generate a call for service and assign to the call.

1. This does not include encounters where a citizen is only filing a complaint. Such encounters do not require a call for service. If a call for service was initiated already and the encounter is determined to be only complaint-related, the call shall be cleared as PROSRV.

3. The notification to MECC should be done by initiating an on-site in the Mobile Data Computer (MDC) or by radio. If the officer does not have access to an MDC or a radio, the notification can be made by phone.

Self-assigning to calls

All MPD employees who respond to calls for service or arrive on scene at an active call for service shall assign to the call, subject to the exceptions described below in [b].

1. This includes assisting squads and supervisors through the rank of Lieutenant.

2. Exceptions:

1. This does not include appointed positions, except when they are performing crime scene management or are directly involved in the call for service.
2. This does not include employees performing the role of a Public Information Officer.

4. Situations may arise which require that an officer decide whether to continue on an assigned call or handle a citizen's complaint, an observed event, or a higher priority call, and cause the original call to be reassigned.  Such determination should be based upon the comparative urgency and the risk to life and property of the assigned call and the intervening incident.

1. When it is not possible for officers to handle a citizen's complaint or an observed event, they should, if circumstances permit, give directions for obtaining such assistance or initiate the necessary notifications themselves.
2. When handling a call and subsequently receiving a higher priority call, officers shall advise the person of the reason for leaving and of the squad's intention of returning after the call.

1. All officers assigned calls by MECC shall immediately acknowledge receipt of the call via voice radio.

2. Any time a squad is responding to an event, the officers shall notify the dispatcher either by radio or by pressing the “Self-assign” button.

Officers shall announce their arrival at the scene by:

1. Depressing the “Arrive” status key on their MDC; and

2. If the unit is the first of multiple squads to arrive, using the voice radio indicating their call number followed by the word "arrived."

Officers shall ensure the Problem Nature Code is accurate or is updated to reflect the correct code as soon as practical. The code must be updated prior to clearing the call.

Officers shall clear from all calls or other assignments as soon as the call or assignment is complete by:

1. Depressing the “Clear” status key on their MDC and adding a disposition code; or

2. Using the voice radio indicating their call number followed by the word “cleared” and by a disposition code.

Whenever possible, all aired status changes should be accomplished on a single radio transmission (Squad 320 is clear report).

1. The first officers to arrive at a crime scene or other incident that warrants the broadcasting of descriptive information shall conduct a brief interview with victims and/or witnesses.

2. If sufficient information is obtained to justify a broadcast, and radio traffic permits, it shall be transmitted in the following manner:

1. The officer will notify the dispatcher that a description is available. The officer will also inform the dispatcher of the extent of dissemination of the broadcast (e.g. involved channel, citywide, regional broadcast, teletype, etc.) and will indicate arrest authority (au. probable cause, attempt to locate, etc.).

2. The dispatcher will notify all squads that a description will follow and will state the location and nature of the crime. Permission will then be given for broadcast.

3. Once the dispatcher has given permission, the officer shall broadcast the description in the following sequence:

1. Type of crime
2. Time of occurrence
3. Location of occurrence
4. Number of suspects
5. Description of suspects
6. Weapons involved
7. Direction and method of flight
8. Description of vehicle, if applicable
9. Description of loss, if applicable

1. Additional squads will be dispatched when requested by an officer or when department policy dictates a back-up be sent automatically for an "Able" squad responding to certain types of incidents.

2. Officers requesting a back-up shall give their squad number, location and code priority.
3. If the requesting officer or the on scene superior officer determines that back up squads are not needed, the back-up squad should be canceled.

1. When an emergency situation arises, officers shall notify the dispatcher by doing the following:

1. Stating their radio call number, followed by "EMERGENCY" or "Officer needs help."
2. Giving the location of the officer needing help.
3. Giving the reason for the emergency, if time permits.

2. Whenever an emergency or "officer needs help" is announced, all other officers shall immediately clear the airway and keep the frequency clear until the dispatcher acknowledges the call.

1. Responding vehicles should wait to give their numbers until it is obvious that the officer calling the emergency is finished giving information.
2. When responding vehicles do give their numbers, they should be brief and then remain off the air until they arrive at the scene.

3. Once aired, the emergency commands the channel until the dispatcher announces a Code 4 and normal radio traffic is resumed.