GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PATROL OPERATIONS
TITLE: MEDICAL AID
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
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MEDICAL AID
429.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy recognizes that members often encounter persons in need of medical aid and establishes a law enforcement response to such situations.
429.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Lincoln Police Department that all officers and other designated members be trained to provide emergency medical aid and to facilitate an emergency medical response.
429.3 FIRST RESPONDING MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
Whenever practicable, members should take appropriate steps to provide initial medical aid (e.g., first aid, CPR, use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in accordance with their training and current certification levels. This should be done for those in need of immediate care andonly when the member can safely do so.
Prior to initiating medical aid, the member should contact Communications and request a response by emergency medical services (EMS) as the member deems appropriate.
Members should follow universal precautions when providing medical aid, such as wearing gloves and avoiding contact with bodily fluids, consistent with the Communicable Diseases Policy. Members should use a barrier or bag device to perform rescue breathing.
When requesting EMS, the member should provide Communications with information for relay to EMS personnel in order to enable an appropriate response, including:
(a) The location where EMS is needed.
(b) The nature of the incident.
(c) Any known scene hazards.
(d) Information on the person in need of EMS, such as:
Signs and symptoms as observed by the member.
Changes in apparent condition.
Number of patients, sex, and age, if known.
Whether the person is conscious, breathing, and alert, or is believed to have consumed drugs or alcohol.
Whether the person is showing signs of extreme agitation or is engaging in violent irrational behavior accompanied by profuse sweating, extraordinary strength beyond their physical characteristics, and imperviousness to pain.
Members should stabilize the scene whenever practicable while awaiting the arrival of EMS.
Members should not direct EMS personnel regarding whether to transport the person for treatment.
429.4 TRANSPORTING ILL AND INJURED PERSONS
Except in exceptional cases where alternatives are not reasonably available, members should not transport persons who are unconscious, who have serious injuries, or who may be seriously ill. EMS personnel should be called to handle patient transportation.
Officers should search any person who is in custody before releasing that person to EMS for transport.
An officer should accompany any person in custody during transport in an ambulance when requested by EMS personnel, when it reasonably appears necessary to provide security, when it is necessary for investigative purposes, or when so directed by a supervisor.
Members should not provide emergency escorts for medical transport or civilian vehicles without first obtaining supervisor approval.
429.5 PERSONS REFUSING EMS CARE
If a person who is not in custody refuses EMS care or refuses to be transported to a medical facility, an officer shall not force that person to receive medical care or be transported.
However, members may assist EMS personnel when EMS personnel determine the person lacks the mental capacity to understand the consequences of refusing medical care or to make an informed decision and the lack of immediate medical attention may result in serious bodily injury or the death of the person.
In cases where mental illness may be a factor, the officer should consider proceeding with an involuntary commitment in accordance with the Involuntary Commitments Policy.
If an officer believes that a person who is in custody requires EMS care and the person refuses, he/she should encourage the person to receive medical treatment. The officer may also consider contacting a family member to help persuade the person to agree to treatment or who may be able to authorize treatment for the person.
If the person who is in custody still refuses, the officer will require the person to be transported to the nearest medical facility. In such cases, the officer should consult with a supervisor prior to the transport.
It is strictly prohibited for members to sign any forms that indicate financial responsibilityfor the treatment. However, members are allowed to provide their signature as a witness to the refusal-for-treatment forms that the subject has signed.
429.6 SICK OR INJURED ARRESTEE
If an arrestee appears ill or injured, or claims illness or injury, he/she should be medically cleared prior to booking. If the officer has reason to believe the arrestee is feigning injury or illness, the officer should contact a supervisor, who will determine whether medical clearance will be obtained prior to booking.
If the jail or detention facility refuses to accept custody of an arrestee based on medical screening, the officer should note the name of the facility person refusing to accept custody and the reason for refusal, and should notify a supervisor to determine the appropriate action.
Arrestees who appear to have a serious medical issue should be transported by ambulance. Officers shall not transport an arrestee to a hospital without a supervisor's approval.
Nothing in this section should delay an officer from requesting EMS when an arrestee reasonably appears to be exhibiting symptoms that appear to be life threatening, including breathing problems or an altered level of consciousness, or is claiming an illness or injury that reasonably warrants an EMS response in accordance with the officer's training.
429.7 MEDICAL ATTENTION RELATED TO USE OF FORCE
Specific guidelines for medical attention for injuries sustained from a use of force may be found in the Use of Force, Handcuffing and Restraints, Control Devices and Conducted Energy Device policies.
429.8 AIR AMBULANCE
Generally, when on-scene, EMS personnel will be responsible for determining whether an air ambulance response should be requested. An air ambulance may be appropriate when there are victims with life-threatening injuries or who require specialized treatment (e.g., gunshot wounds, burns, obstetrical cases), and distance or other known delays will affect the EMS response.
Guidelines should be developed for air ambulance landings or enter into local operating agreements for the use of air ambulances, as applicable. In creating those guidelines, the Department should identify:
Responsibility and authority for designating a landing zone and determining the size of the landing zone.
Responsibility for securing the area and maintaining that security once the landing zone is identified.
Consideration of the air ambulance provider's minimum standards for proximity to vertical obstructions and surface composition (e.g., dirt, gravel, pavement, concrete, grass).
Consideration of the air ambulance provider's minimum standards for horizontal clearance from structures, fences, power poles, antennas or roadways.
Responsibility for notifying the appropriate highway or transportation agencies if a roadway is selected as a landing zone.
Procedures for ground personnel to communicate with flight personnel during the operation.
One department member at the scene should be designated as the air ambulance communications contact. Headlights, spotlights and flashlights should not be aimed upward at the air ambulance. Members should direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic away from the landing zone.
Members shall follow these cautions when near an air ambulance:
Never approach the aircraft until signaled by the flight crew.
Always approach the aircraft from the front.
Avoid the aircraft's tail rotor area.
Wear eye protection during the landing and take-off.
Do not carry or hold items, such as IV bags, above the head.
Ensure that no one smokes near the aircraft.
429.9 AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED) USE
429.9.1 AED USER RESPONSIBILITY
Members who are issued AEDs for use in department vehicles should check the AED at the beginning of the shift to ensure it is properly charged and functioning. Any AED that is not functioning properly will be taken out of service and given to the Training Coordinator who is responsible for ensuring appropriate maintenance.
Following use of an AED, the device shall be cleaned and/or decontaminated as required. The electrodes and/or pads will be replaced as recommended by the AED manufacturer.
Any member who uses an AED should contact Communications as soon as possible and request response by EMS.
429.9.2 AED REPORTING
Any member using an AED will complete an incident report detailing its use.
429.9.3 AED TRAINING AND MAINTENANCE
The Training Coordinator should ensure appropriate training is provided to members authorized to use an AED (Ala. Code § 6-5-332.3).
The Training Coordinator is responsible for ensuring AED devices are appropriately maintained and will retain records of all maintenance in accordance with the established records retention schedule (Ala. Code § 6-5-332.3).
429.10 ADMINISTRATION OF OPIOID OVERDOSE MEDICATION
Members may administer opioid overdose medication in accordance with the protocol specified by the physician who prescribed the overdose medication for use by the member (Ala. Code § 20-2-280). Refer to the department's Naloxone policy for more detailed instructions.
429.10.1 OPIOID OVERDOSE MEDICATION USER RESPONSIBILITIES
Members who are qualified to administer opioid overdose medication, such as naloxone, should handle, store and administer the medication consistent with their training. Members should check the medication and associated administration equipment at the beginning of their shift to ensure they are serviceable and not expired. Any expired medication or unserviceable administration equipment should be removed from service and given to the Training Coordinator.
Any member who administers an opioid overdose medication should contact Communications as soon as possible and request response by EMS.
429.10.2 OPIOID OVERDOSE MEDICATION REPORTING
Any member administering opioid overdose medication should detail its use in an appropriate report.
429.10.3 OPIOID OVERDOSE MEDICATION TRAINING
The Training Coordinator should ensure that members complete a course approved by the Alabama Department of Public Health prior to being authorized to administer opioid overdose medication (Ala. Code § 20-2-282).
429.11 FIRST AID TRAINING
Subject to available resources, the Training Coordinator should ensure officers receive periodic first aid training appropriate for their position.
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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