G9.1.3 Response to Calls
Chapter: Chapter 09: Patrol Services
Sub-Chapter: 9.1 - Patrol Operations
Effective Date: 06/10/2019
Revised Date: 01/10/2024
Rescinds: G9.1.3 – 6/10/2019
Purpose
To describe the guidelines for the Indiana University Police Department (IUPD) personnel when responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
General Order
The IUPD personnel will respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service with due regard for the safety of all individuals. Personnel will abide by all directives, university policy, and laws concerning the operation of IUPD vehicles. Sworn officers may use emergency equipment on IUPD vehicles when responding to emergency calls for service or if the use of the equipment is required for visibility.
Determination of Call for Service Category
Calls for service are categorized as either routine or emergency. Officers should be given a sufficient amount of information in order to make this determination. An officer’s determination of the call category is based upon the information known to the officer at the time.
Routine incidents are calls for service where a quick response is not essential for the preservation of life or property. Routine incident response is appropriate for calls where crimes are not in progress, where no one remains in jeopardy as a result of the activity, and alarm activation where no criminal activity or other emergency has been otherwise confirmed.
Emergency incidents are calls for service where life, limb, and/or property may be in jeopardy or when an immediate response would increase the likelihood of apprehension of a dangerous criminal. These may include incidents involving crimes in progress, traffic collisions with injury, medical emergencies, certain critical alarms including fire alarms, and any other potentially life-threatening situation.
Response by Call for Service Category
When responding to any call for service, the safety of the public and responding personnel are of the highest priority. Personnel will respond to calls for service as safely and as quickly as possible. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring the correct level of response is used. Some factors which may influence the degree to which an officer responds to a call include, but are not limited to the following:
- nature and seriousness of the call,
- proximity to the call,
- vehicle capabilities,
- officer’s driving abilities,
- road, traffic, pedestrian, and weather conditions, and
- suspects being alerted to the approach of the officer.
When responding to routine calls for service, personnel will utilize normal driving techniques and abide by all applicable traffic laws. Emergency lights and siren will not be used unless the nature of the incident changes or the equipment is required for visibility at the scene.
Generally, emergency calls for service require the operation of the vehicle’s emergency lights and siren in order to arrive at the scene as quickly as possible. Tactics and circumstances impacting officer safety will dictate if the vehicle’s emergency lights and/or siren should be turned off prior to arrival at the scene.
When responding to emergency calls for service, officers will drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and abide by Indiana Code 9-21-1-8 when operating an emergency vehicle. Officers may exceed the maximum speed limits but will not endanger life or property. Upon approaching an intersection controlled by either traffic control signals or signs or upon approaching any other hazardous location, the officer will remain in control of their vehicle which is accomplished through lower speed and continued audible and/or visual warnings. When faced with a red light or stop sign, officers will approach the intersection at a reduced speed and stop if necessary to ensure the way is clear before proceeding into and through the intersection. This is especially true when the use of a siren is discontinued due to the nature of the call and/or proximity to the location of the call.
Personnel are expected to wear their seatbelt when operating IUPD vehicles. Officers may release their seatbelt when tactics and/or circumstances impacting officer safety dictate otherwise.
Officers are not immune from the consequences of reckless disregard for the safety of others. Consequences may include disciplinary action, civil claims and/or criminal prosecution.
Related Information
Indiana Code
- 9-21-1-8 Emergency vehicles
Indiana University
- FIN-INS-03 Operation of University Vehicles