GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PATROL OPERATIONS
TITLE: CRIME & DISASTER SCENE INTEGRITY
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
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CRIME & DISASTER SCENE INTEGRITY
403.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance in handling a major crime or disaster.
403.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Lincoln Police Department to secure crime or disaster scenes so that evidence is preserved, and to identify and mitigate the dangers associated with a major crime or disaster scene for the safety of the community and those required to enter or work near the scene.
403.3 SCENE RESPONSIBILITY
The first officer at the scene of a crime or major incident is generally responsible for the immediate safety of the public and preservation of the scene. Officers shall also consider officer safety and the safety of those persons entering or exiting the area, including those rendering medical aid to any injured parties. Once an officer has assumed or been assigned to maintain the integrity and security of the crime or disaster scene, it shall be maintained until the officer is properly relieved by a supervisor or other designated person.
403.4 FIRST RESPONDER CONSIDERATIONS
The following list generally describes the first responder's function at a crime or disaster scene.This list is not intended to be all-inclusive, is not necessarily in order, and may be altered according to the demands of each situation:
(a) Broadcast emergency information, including requests for additional assistance and resources.
(b) Provide for the general safety of those within the immediate area by mitigating, reducing, or eliminating threats or dangers.
(c) Locate or identify suspects and determine whether dangerous suspects are still within the area.
(d) Provide first aid to injured parties if it can be done safely.
(e) Evacuate the location safely as required or appropriate.
(f) Secure the inner perimeter.
(g) Protect items of apparent evidentiary value.
(h) Secure an outer perimeter.
(i) Identify potential witnesses.
(j) Start a chronological log noting critical times and personnel allowed access.
403.5 SEARCHES
Officers arriving at crime or disaster scenes are often faced with the immediate need to search for and render aid to victims, or to determine if suspects are present and continue to pose a threat. Once officers are satisfied that no additional suspects are present and/or there are no injured persons to be treated, those exigent circumstances will likely no longer exist. Officers should thereafter secure the scene and conduct no further search until additional or alternate authority for the search is obtained, such as consent or a search warrant.
403.5.1 CONSENT
When possible, officers should seek written consent to search from authorized individuals. However, in the case of serious crimes or major investigations, it may be prudent to also obtain a search warrant. Consent as an additional authorization may be sought, even in cases where a search warrant has been granted.
403.6 EXECUTION OF HEALTH ORDERS
Any officer is authorized to execute warrants issued by a judge on behalf of the local health officer that have been issued for the purpose of preventing the spread of any contagious, infectious or communicable disease or the removal of any unsanitary material (Ala. Code § 22-1-7).
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
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