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Applicable
To: All employees |
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Approval
Authority: Chief Richard J.
Pennington |
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Signature: Signed by RJP |
Date Signed: 8/18/09 |
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This directive establishes procedures for the Department’s response to an employee’s serious injury, illness or death and to death of retired employees of the Atlanta Police Department. Any procedures not covered in this or any other applicable Department written directive will be performed at the discretion of the Chief of Police.
2.1 The Atlanta Police Department will offer appropriate assistance and funeral honors following the death of current or retired employees of the Atlanta Police Department, sworn or civilian. The wishes and desires of the family will receive primary consideration when providing family assistance or while planning for the interment of the deceased. Any participation in the service by the Chaplain and the Department is always at the approval of the family.
2.2 The Department will commit appropriate resources and assistance to bring aid and comfort to employees and their families during a period of incapacitation due to serious injury, or illness or in the case of death.
3.1 The Department’s Director of Chaplains will:
1. Serve as the primary point of contact following the death of employees of the Atlanta Police Department or members of the APD Reserve Program. The Chaplain will monitor policies and procedures outlined in this directive. The Chaplain will keep the Chief of Police, the SSD commander, and the deceased employee's chain of command informed of the progress of the funeral and interment arrangements and of any significant issues or concerns raised before, during, or after interment.
2. In conjunction with the medical facility, establish a triage at or near the emergency room of the facility where the deceased employee was transported. The Chaplain will staff the triage with assistant chaplains and other support personnel deemed appropriate. The Chaplain will serve as liaison with the hospital chaplain.
3. Ensure that next-of-kin notification is being made expeditiously and appropriately. The Chaplain or his or her designee will accompany a representative of the chain of command when making the next-of-kin notification, in person whenever possible.
4. Coordinate with the appropriate law enforcement agency to notify the next of kin if it is not practical for the Atlanta Police Department to make the notification in person.
5. After the notification is made, the Chaplain, or a designee, will personally contact the next-of-kin to offer assistance to the family in coordinating the funeral and interment arrangements.
6. Submit a bulletin item to the Chief’s Office to get notices of death placed in the daily bulletin.
7. Assign a Chaplain to perform the duties of the Employee Assistance Services Coordinator (EASC).
3.2 Bureau, division and section commanders will:
1. Coordinate logistical and operational support during the Departmental response to a death.
2. Coordinate with the Chaplain on the notification of next of kin in line-of-duty deaths.
3. Appoint Family Support Officer(s) to assist the employee's family, if wanted by the family.
4. Contact the Chaplain when notified of the death of a Department employee.
3.3 The SOS commander will coordinate the deployment of motorcycles, helicopters, mounted, traffic control, and Honor Guards.
3.4 The Communications supervisor on duty will ensure that notifications are made in accordance with this directive.
3.5 The Personnel Services Unit commander will provide the next of kin of a deceased employee with a list of benefit counselors. In addition, the Personnel Services Unit commander will serve as the Department’s liaison and may coordinate the benefits meetings with other City agencies and the next of kin.
3.6 The City’s Bureau of Employee Assistance Unit will provide counseling and psychological support in accordance with their standard operating procedures (including defusing, debriefing; PTSD post trauma stress disorder and grief counseling).
3.7 Family Support Officers will notify the Chaplain of the family’s requests.
3.8 Supervisors will ensure that a subordinate injured on duty receives proper medical treatment; ensure that necessary medical and relevant reports are completed: contact the chaplain’s office to secure the services of an Employee Assistance Services Coordinator (EASC).
3.9 Section commanders will be responsible for notifying the next of kin when a subordinate sustains a serious injury and to arrange transportation to the medical facility, when necessary.
3.10 The Chief of Police, or his designee, will be responsible for notifying the next of kin in cases where an employee is killed while performing a police-related duty.
3.11 It will be the responsibility of the EASC to assist all employees and their families who are seriously injured or killed while performing a police related duty or incur a long term illness, in matters pertaining to payroll, benefits, transportation, as appropriate.
4.1.1 An employee receiving a serious injury while performing a police service on duty will be taken to a City-approved treatment facility. The injured employee’s supervisor, or if off duty, the sector supervisor, will go to the facility and complete the authorization for treatment form and incident report, workers compensation forms, and notify the employee’s chain of command.
4.1.2 The injured employee’s section commander will notify the next of kin and arrange for their transportation to the treatment facility, as appropriate. The commander will also notify a Department Chaplain or the family’s minister in addition to Psychological Services.
4.1.3 The Employee Assistance Services Coordinator (EASC) will contact the Law Department, Personnel Services Unit, Employee Benefits, the employee’s family and any other person or agency to ensure that pressing family affairs and personal needs of the employee and the family are met. The EASC’s duties will be continual during the need for services. The EASC will also make reports to the Chief of Police, Psychological Services and Chaplain’s Office on significant changes in the employee’s condition or needs.
In the event of a serious or long term illness, the employee’s supervisor will notify the Chaplain’s Office of the circumstances. The EASC will contact the employee or next of kin to provide assistance as needed. An announcement may be prepared for inclusion in the daily bulletin.
4.3 Line of duty death of a sworn employee
1. The Communications supervisor will make notification in accordance with the Communications standard operating procedures. Notifications will include other law enforcement agencies of metro Atlanta.
2. The Chaplain and EAP, when notified will report to the scene of the incident, if practical, or to the hospital as soon as possible in order to gather sufficient information to notify the next-of-kin.
3. The Chaplain, accompanied by a sworn supervisor, will make the death notification to the employee's primary next-of-kin in person when practical. The Chaplain will inform the Communications supervisor as soon as possible that the notification has been made. The Chaplain may notify other family members if specifically requested by the primary next-of-kin.
4. If notification is made by someone other than the Chaplain, the person responsible for the death notification will have knowledge of the circumstances leading to the death. Once notification is made, the person making the notification will immediately confirm the notification with the Chaplain and the Communications supervisor. The Chaplain will contact the primary next-of-kin to offer assistance as needed.
5. If, due to distance or other circumstances, the Department cannot make the notification in person, the Chaplain will ask the Communications supervisor to request another police department to make the immediate notification to prevent potential premature media releases. Also, request immediate confirmation when the notification has been made. Once notification is confirmed, the Chaplain will contact the primary next-of-kin to provide assistance and to begin making funeral arrangements.
6. When the next-of-kin has been notified, the Chaplain, or a designee, will offer to assist in attending to the immediate needs of the family.
7. The division commander will assign an employee, if possible a friend of the family, as the family support officer to assist with the needs of the family, if the family desires such assistance. If the residence is in the City, the division commander may assign an officer and marked unit outside of the primary residence following the death and until after interment.
1. The Chaplain will inform the Chief’s Office and Communications of the funeral arrangements for announcement in the bulletin. Communications will notify other metropolitan Atlanta law enforcement agencies of the funeral arrangements.
2. The Chaplain will offer to assist the family in making funeral arrangements.
3. The Department's role in the funeral and burial ceremonies will depend on the family's request and the approval of the Chief of Police. The Chaplain will coordinate the Department's involvement in funeral proceedings with the deceased’s chain of command, SOS, the Honor Guard, etc.
4. All flags at Atlanta Police facilities will be flown at half-mast from the time of death of the employee until burial/interment.
5. Ceremonial protocol will be in accordance with the Honor Guard and SOS standard operating procedures and the desires of the deceased employee’s family.
6. Full Departmental honors will be offered to the family as follows:
a. A flag folding ceremony
b. Bagpiper (upon request)
c. “Taps” will be played at the committal services
d. A twenty one (21) gun salute will be performed by the firing party
e. A rider-less horse will be stationed in a place of prominence (optional)
f. Pall bearers
g. Honor Guard Ceremonial Unit
h. Helicopter flyby
i. Motorcade
j. Death watch
k. The Chief of Police or his/her designee will present the flag to the family
4.3.3 The SOS commander or his/her designee will:
1. Coordinate the motorcade to include establishing the schedule and staging area.
2. Develop the motorcade and funeral routes and disseminate that information throughout the Department and to other affected agencies.
3. Lead the motorcade from the staging area to the location of the religious service and/or burial.
4. Have the Helicopter Unit arrange the flyby, if appropriate.
4.3.4 Procedures at the location of the religious service:
1. The Honor Guard with the assistance of SOS Motors Unit will coordinate parking of the motorcade once it arrives at the location of the religious service.
2. The Honor Guard will assemble the official formation prior to the arrival of the funeral party including the arrival of the remains of the deceased employee if not already at the location for the religious service.
4.3.5 Procedures at the cemetery:
1. The Honor Guard Firing Party will receive the processional.
2. The Honor Guard will assemble the official formation.
3. The Honor Guard will carry out folding of the flag and firing salute.
4. The Honor Guard will coordinate playing of “Taps.”
5. The Honor Guard with the assistance of SOS Helicopter Unit will coordinate the timing of the flyby.
4.3.6 Benefits counseling: provided upon notification by the Chaplain that the family is ready, Atlanta Services Incorporated will discuss benefits with the family of the deceased officer.
4.3.7 Post-interment action: the Chaplain will stay in contact with the primary next-of-kin and will provide follow-up assistance as needed. The Chaplain will periodically notify the primary next-of-kin of the following:
1. Family Grief Support group meetings, as needed
2. The Department's Retiree Roundup
3. Other significant events for survivors of deceased police officers
4.4 Non-line-of-duty death of a sworn employee or retired reserve officer
4.4.1 Departmental Notification
1. If a sworn employee dies while on duty or working an extra job but not in the line of duty, follow the notification procedure in section 4.3.1.
2. If a sworn employee dies while off duty, any employee who becomes aware of the death will immediately notify the Communications supervisor on duty.
a. The Communications supervisor will make notification in accordance with the Communications standard operating procedures.
b. If the family is not aware of the death, the Chaplain or a sworn supervisor will notify the next of kin in person if practical.
c. When the next-of-kin has been notified, the Chaplain will offer to assist in attending to the immediate needs of the family, including funeral arrangements.
1. The Chaplain will inform the Chief’s Office of the funeral arrangements for announcement in the bulletin.
2. The Chaplain will offer to assist the family in making funeral arrangements.
3. The Department's role in the funeral and burial ceremonies will depend on the family's request and the approval of the Chief of Police. The Chaplain will coordinate the Department's involvement in funeral proceedings with the deceased employee’s chain of command, SOS, the Honor Guard, etc.
4. Ceremonial protocol will be in accordance with the Honor Guard and SOS standard operating procedures and the desires of the deceased employee’s family.
5. Department honors will be offered to the family as follows:
a. A flag folding ceremony.
b. Bagpiper (if available)
c. “Taps” will be played at the committal service
d. Pall bearers
e. Honor Guard Ceremonial Unit
f. Motorcade
4.4.3 The SOS commander or designee will:
1. Coordinate the motorcade, if any, to include establishing the schedule and staging area.
2. Develop the motorcade and funeral routes and disseminate that information throughout the Department and to other affected agencies.
3. Lead the motorcade from the staging area to the location of the funeral and/or burial service.
4.4.4 Procedures at the location of the religious service.
1. The Honor Guard with the assistance of SOS will coordinate parking for the motorcade once it arrives at the location of the religious service.
2. The Honor Guard will assemble the official formation prior to the arrival of the funeral party including the arrival of the remains of the deceased employee if not already at the location for the religious service.
4.4.5 Procedures at the cemetery:
1. The Honor Guard with the assistance of SOS will receive the processional.
2. The Honor Guard will assemble the official formation.
3. The Honor Guard will carry out folding of the flag.
4. The Honor Guard will coordinate playing of “Taps.”
4.4.6 The Employee Assistance Services Coordinator will contact the family on the first business day after the funeral to begin discussion of benefits. If the family wants more time, wait a reasonable time and contact them again.
4.4.7 Post-interment action. The Chaplain will stay in contact with the primary next-of-kin and will provide follow-up assistance as needed. The Chaplain will periodically notify the primary next-of-kin of the following:
1. Family Grief Support group meetings, as needed
2. The Department's Retiree Roundup
3. Other significant events for survivors of deceased police officers
4.5 Death of a retired sworn employee who is not a member of the Atlanta Reserve Program.
4.5.1 In the event of a death of a retired sworn employee of the Atlanta Police Department, the employee who first becomes aware of the death should immediately notify the Chaplain.
4.5.2 The Chaplain will contact the Communications supervisor to effect notification to the command staff.
4.5.3 The Chaplain will contact the family of the deceased to offer assistance.
4.5.4 The following may be available to the families of retired sworn employees if approved by the Chief of Police:
1. Pallbearers
2. Honor Guard
3. While not normally provided, a motorcade may be appropriate if a large number of police employees is expected.
4.6 Death of a civilian employee
4.6.1 Notification on procedures for the death of a civilian employee are the same as in section 4.3.1.
4.6.2 The Personnel Services Unit commander will contact the family on the first business day after the funeral to begin discussion of benefits. If the family wants more time, wait a reasonable amount of time and contact them again.
4.6.3 Funeral assistance for civilian employees shall be assessed by the Chaplain at the family’s request and approved by the Chief of Police.
4.7.1 Uniforms worn by sworn employees during funerals are specified in APD.SOP.2130 “Dress Code.”
4.7.2 Persons in uniform attending a funeral service will face the casket (or the receptacle containing the cremated remains of the deceased) and execute the hand salute at the following times:
1. When the casket is being moved (the exception being when the officers themselves are moving);
2. During rifle salutes, and
3. While “Taps” is being played
4.7.3 If a funeral or interment will occur outside the metropolitan Atlanta area, the Chief of Police will determine what, if any, Departmental representatives will attend.
5.1 Death: Refers to the death of an active employee either on or off duty, or the death of a retired employee.
5.2 Employee Assistance Services Coordinator (EASC): An employee assigned to the Chaplain’s Office, regardless of rank, designated to serve as the Employee Assistance Services Coordinator.
5.3 Family Support Officer: An employee of the Atlanta Police Department who is appointed by the division commander. The Family Support Officer should be a member of the deceased employee's unit and should be a close friend of the deceased. Other employees of the Department may be assigned this duty if the commander deems it appropriate.
5.4 Immediate Family Members: For the purpose of this directive, the immediate family members are identified as the spouse, mother, father, siblings, and children of the employee and those of his or her spouse.
5.5 Illness: An illness that requires hospitalization for a period of five (5) days or more or an illness that incapacitates for more than ten (10) days.
5.6 Pre-interment: The time period from the death of an employee until the deceased is interred, including the funeral proceedings.
5.7 Primary next-of-kin: A person (or persons) that a Department employee designates in writing to be notified in the event of an emergency.
5.8 Post-interment: The time period after the interment of a deceased employee.
5.9 Serious Injury: An injury sustained on or off duty, while performing police services or at an approved extra job, that requires admittance to a hospital for treatment.
APD.SOP.2160 “Employee Assistance”, issued July 1, 2007.
APD.SOP.2170 “Honor Guard” APD.SOP.2130 “Dress Code” Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. 5th ed. Standard 22.2.6 |