G7.1.9 Medical Aid after Use of Force
Chapter: Chapter 07: Use of Force
Sub-Chapter: 7.1 - Use of Force
Effective Date: 09/23/2016
Revised Date: 06/18/2024
Rescinds: G7.1.9 – 9/22/2022
Purpose
To provide guidance for rendering and summoning medical aid after use of force incidents.
General Order
Indiana University Police Department (IUPD) officers will render medical aid, commensurate with training they have received and capabilities available to them, as quickly as reasonably possible following any use of force incident in which obvious injuries have been sustained, medical distress is apparent, or the person is unconscious. Emergency medical services (EMS) will be summoned for injured subjects who require medical care beyond the officer’s capabilities and training.
Definition
Serious Bodily Injury – defined by Indiana Code 35-31.5-2-292 means bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes serious permanent disfigurement, unconsciousness, extreme pain, permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ, or loss of a fetus.
Medical Aid after Use of Force (7.1.9)
After the use of force situation has been brought under control, officers will survey all people involved in the encounter for injuries. Once the scene is safe and as soon as practical, officers have a duty to render first aid to injured subjects including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) if necessary.
Officers will render medical aid and summon EMS after any application of any technique or weapon that would be considered deadly force. Additionally, officers will render medical aid and summon EMS for any person who:
- has suffered serious bodily injury.
- reports or is having difficulty breathing.
- is exhibiting signs of excited delirium.
- has a visible injury, is offered and accepts medical attention from EMS.
- has been affected by a chemical agent.
- has been struck with an impact weapon.
- has been struck in the head.
- requests to be evaluated by EMS.
- requires medical care beyond the officer’s capabilities.
Officers will offer to summon EMS for any person who complains of pain but is not visibly injured. The person may refuse EMS response. Officers will summon EMS for any person who requests medical attention.
Officers will document in a case report any first aid rendered, the offer for medical aid and EMS response, and the person’s decision to accept or decline the aid.
Medical Aid After Electronic Control Weapon Exposure
Officers will summon EMS for any person who has been struck by probes deployed from an Electronic Control Weapon (ECW), also referred to as a Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW), or exposed to a drive stun from an ECW. Officers will advise EMS if the person suffered a fall during the ECW deployment so that EMS may evaluate the person for any closed head injuries that could have occurred during the fall.
Probes that are imbedded in non-sensitive areas should be removed at the earliest and safest opportunity by a trained officer in accordance with the trained procedures or by EMS personnel. Probes that have struck sensitive areas, such as the face, head, neck, groin, or a female’s breast will only be removed by EMS or medical personnel.
References
Indiana Code
- 35-31.5-2-292 Serious bodily injury
Indiana University Police Department
- G7.1.7 Electronic Control Weapons