Subchapter 55.2
OPERATIONS
/GENERAL ORDER NO. 55.2
55.2.1 INITIAL ASSISTANCE
A. Non-emergency telephone numbers or for an emergency, 911 may be dialed to contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office Communications Section. All questions shall be answered concerning victim/witness services. The victim/witness services available through the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office are also available through each patrol deputy who has access to the Peace of Mind handout and resource handbooks. Both sources of information are available twenty-four hours a day. If specialized information is needed, the Communications Section personnel shall put the caller in touch with the Police Social Services deputy on call for further information.
B. The current listing of governmental and non-governmental agencies that the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office’s Police Social Services Section maintains liaison with is as follows:
1. Social Security Office;
2. American Red Cross;
3. Big Brothers/Big Sisters;
4. Catholic Social Services;
5. Office of Child Services;
6. Adult and Juvenile Probation and Parole;
7. Chez Hope;
8. Crossroads;
9. Options for Independence;
10. Prevention Partnership;
11. Metropolitan Battered Women’s Services, Inc.;
12. Terrebonne and Lafourche A.D.A.C.;
13. Bayou Council on Alcoholism;
14. District Attorney’s Office;
15. Jim Dandy; and
16. The Haven.
55.2.2 ASSISTANCE, THREATS
A. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office shall provide appropriate assistance ranging from words of encouragement to providing transportation in or out of our jurisdiction to a safe place. The Police Social Services deputy on call shall coordinate all such transports and routine types of assistance at the time. More involved services, such as protective custody and/or guarding a location, shall be coordinated through a department head, division commander or the Sheriff. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office shall also provide the following:
1. Alternative housing;
2. Security;
3. Protective orders;
4. R.A.D. course;
5. Escort for Awareness program;
6. Handgun course;
7. Notifications if threats are made by a released prisoner; and
8. Aggressively investigate and bring charges, whenever possible, on person/persons threatening or harassing victims/witnesses.
55.2.3 ASSISTANCE, PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
A. Once a victim/witness has been identified, the responding deputy shall give each victim/witness information about applicable services (e.g., counseling, medical attention, compensation programs, emergency financial assistance or victim advocacy. Each victim/witness shall be provided with a copy of the Peace of Mind handbook that contains the following information:
1. When, why, and how to call the Police Social Services Section;
2. The physical addresses and phone numbers of all Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Offices, the District Attorney's Office, and the Lafourche Parish Courthouse;
3. Important points to remember as a witness in a courtroom;
4. Information on spousal abuse;
5. What to do if you are attacked or assaulted;
6. An explanation of the criminal justice process and who to call to report additional information about the case;
7. Information on the Victim’s Reparations Act including how to apply, and who to call;
8. Support service’s addresses and phone numbers; and
9. Case number and deputy's name to receive information about the status of the case.
B. The responding deputy will advise the victim/witness about what to do if the suspect or the suspect’s companions or family threatens or otherwise intimidates him or her. Any cases involving threats or intimidation shall be forwarded to the Police Social Services Section. Follow up in such cases shall be guided by General Order 55.2.2.
C. The responding deputy shall provide the victim/witness with the assigned item number on the Peace of Mind booklet and utilize the booklet to explain the subsequent steps in processing the case.
D. The responding deputy shall provide a telephone number that the victim/witness may call to report additional information about the case or to receive information about the status of the case.
55.2.4 ASSISTANCE, FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION
A. In cases where a Police Social Services deputy responds, re-contact shall be made with the victim/witness within nineteen days and thereafter as appropriate. In cases assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division, that office shall contact the victims. Every complainant shall be mailed a questionnaire, which shall provide a means of re-contact.
B. The Peace of Mind booklet, which is handed out to all identified victims/ witnesses, outlines a summary of the legal process.
C. Interviews, line-ups and other required appearances of victim/witnesses shall be coordinated with the Police Social Services Section, who shall provide transportation and support services if necessary.
D. Property shall be returned whenever possible where the victim/witness has special needs. The Police Social Services Section shall coordinate with the court for the return of items, provided the case is not compromised.
E. A Police Social Services deputy shall be assigned as per a call-out schedule; however, he may be assigned as necessary if the case dictates. In more serious cases, Police Social Services deputies shall be available from point of inception to beyond prosecution. The victim/witness should indicate when, in his opinion, services are no longer needed. The Police Social Services deputy shall document this fault.
55.2.5 ASSISTANCE, SUSPECT ARREST
A. Notification of arrest and post arrest of a suspect shall be at the request of the victim/witness and shall be the responsibility of the Police Social Services deputy, or the deputy handling the case if the deputy is aware of the request made by the victim/witness.
B. Notifications shall be made, if requested, of the offender’s release from prison or change of status while incarcerated.
C. Written notification during post arrest processing shall be made and sent to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center. The Lafourche Parish Detention Center personnel shall make appropriate notations in the subject’s file of the notification or attempts made to notify the victim/witness. The Police Social Services deputy shall make further attempts to notify the victim/witness. If contacts are unsuccessful, the Police Social Services deputy shall be consulted prior to the release of the prisoner.
55.2.6 NEXT-OF-KIN NOTIFICATION
A. Two deputies shall respond when making notification to the next of kin of a deceased, seriously injured, or seriously ill person and every effort shall be made to solicit the assistance of clergy when applicable. Every effort shall be made to receive a positive identification of the victim prior to contacting the next of kin. Notification shall be done in a prompt manner. The deputies making the notification shall have enough information to answer the basic who, what, when, where, why and how questions.
1. If the victim was married, notification shall be made to the spouse. If unmarried, notification shall be made to the parent(s), adult child/children, sibling(s), or other relatives. Notification shall be made to the person who is best able to deal with the notification. Notification shall be made in person with the exception of extreme cases where it may be done by phone. It shall be the responsibility of the Police Social Services deputy or Shift Supervisor to coordinate and make notifications.
2. All reasonable efforts shall be made to identify the deceased. These efforts may include having the family or a friend visually identify the body.
3. The viewing of the body prior to it being removed from the scene shall be limited and discretion used as to the manner, location, and time allowed. Family members shall be prepared for the condition of the body prior to it being viewed. The viewing shall be discouraged whenever possible. Family members shall be given time and opportunity to consult with clergy members prior to making a decision to view the body at the scene as long as it does not interfere with the investigation. If viewing is made at the scene, it shall be done in a manner where it will not compromise or destroy any evidence.
B. When a request is made from another agency for a member of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office to make a notification, a contact person from the requesting agency shall be on standby to answer any questions the family may have.
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