House/Area Checks and Unsecured Facilitiesepd426.0

HOUSE/AREA CHECKS AND UNSECURED FACILITIESEPD426.0

HOUSE/AREA CHECKS AND UNSECURED FACILITIES

EPD426.0

OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

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Chief Stephen Walker

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HOUSE/AREA CHECKS AND UNSECURED FACILITIESEPD426.0

I. PURPOSE

This general order provides detailed procedures to be followed when initiating a house/area check; procedures upon the detection of anunsecured house and the reporting and follow-up responsibilities of Department personnel.

II. POLICY

The policy of this Department is for officers to conduct house/area checks when required and to monitor closely those instances when a house/area check is needed within the Town limits.

III. REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES / PROCEDURES

A. Initiating a House/Area Check

1. Officers or Clerk will fill out the EPD “house check Request” form for a house/area check when a citizen calls and requests that their house be checked while they are away on vacation or other reasons, such as, prowler complaints, vandalism, etc. The officer will fill out the form and make the other officers aware that the checks are needed.

2. Officers will include in the house/area check form: date request received, type of check (house or area), address, residents name and phone number, start and stop date and time,whether house is alarmed,whether timers and the radio or TV are in operation;number of cars in the driveway and description, cars used on the trip, who has keys,presence of firearms in the house and where are they located,any additional information needed, and that residents were advised to notify police upon return.

3. When conducting the house/area checks officers will document the shift, date, time of check, officer’s name and any remarks about the checks made by the officer.

4.Shift I officers will check one-half the current house checks at random and record those checks, by number, on theODR;

Shift II officers will check the remaining houses andrecord those checks, by number, on the ODR. This does not preclude all officers on either shift from checking all houses whenever possible during their tour of duty. When more than one officer works a shift the officers may evenly divide the house checks to be performed.

5. While conducting the checks if an officer finds a house door/ window left open the officer will make sure that no forced entry was gained. The officer will call for a backup and possibly a PGPD K-9 unit, if needed and/or available, to check the interior of the house. If there is no contact person to call and no one is inside the house the officer will secure the house as best as possible before going back into service. This will be documented on the house check report and an “Incident Report” titled “Miscellaneous-House Check Open Door/Window”.

6. If forced entry has been gained the house will be secured as a crime scene and a PGPD District I investigator will be notified to respond to the scene and an “Incident Report”, with the proper classification described, will be completed. A contact person for the house, if available, will be notified.

7. Officers shall carry the house checkbook in the cruiser or review the on-line version on the records management system on their MDT during their tour of duty. They shall ensure that no one other than Department officers observe the book and that the book is secured out of view when the cruiser is left unattended. Officers shall personally hand over the book to their relief at the end of watch.

8. After the completion of the house/area check the form will be placed in the report in box.

B. Supervisor’s Responsibilities

Supervisors will ensure that the house/area check forms are being initiated and completed when required; that the house/area check form is properly completed and filled out by all officers; and that each watch performs the checks required by this general order.

End of Document

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