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14-29 - Medical Treatment and Transporting Suspects


14-30 - Brady Issues and the Pitchess Process
14-28 - Sexual Assault (Rape) Definition and Statistical Codes

                                                MEDICAL TREATMENT AND TRANSPORTING SUSPECTS

 

Deputies must be aware of the following restrictions when transporting suspects who were involved in a use of force during their arrest:

 

3-10/105.00 MEDICAL TREATMENT AND TRANSPORTING SUSPECTS

 

Medical Treatment

 

A suspect must be transported to a medical facility for examination/treatment by qualified medical personnel whenever the person:

 

  • suffers a gunshot wound;
  • strikes their head on a hard object, or sustains a blow to the head/face, as a result of the application of force by a member, regardless of how minor any injury to the head/face may appear.  The member transporting the suspect shall inform the doctor that the suspect was struck on the head or struck their head;
  • is restrained with a carotid restraint, or any kind of neck/throat restraint, whether or not they are rendered unconscious.  The member transporting the suspect shall inform the medical staff of the fact that the suspect was restrained with a carotid restraint and whether or not they were rendered unconscious;
  • is hit with a specialized weapon projectile (such as an Arwen round, Taser dart, Stunbag, Pepperball projectile, etc.);
  • is subjected to a Taser used in the drive stun mode;
  • sustains a canine bite resulting in any bleeding or penetration of the skin;
  • has injuries that appear to require medical treatment;
  • alleges any injury and requests medical treatment, whether or not they have any apparent injuries; 
  • alleges that substantial force was used against them, whether or not they have any apparent injuries or requests medical treatment;
  • was wearing the electronic immobilization belt during its activation (unless qualified medical clearance is obtained in the field); or
  • has the Total Appendage Restraint Procedure (TARP) applied on them (unless qualified medical clearance is obtained in the field).  Refer to MPP section 3-01/110.22, Total Appendage Restraint Procedure, for additional information.

 

Transporting Suspects

 

Whenever a suspect upon whom force was used is transported to a medical facility for examination or treatment prior to booking or housing in a custody facility, the transporting member shall immediately advise the Field Sergeant or immediate supervisor.  Except in the most compelling of circumstances, personnel involved in a Category 2 or 3 Force, including participants, witnesses, and supervisors directing force, shall not transport the suspects.  If compelling circumstances require that the suspect be transported by involved personnel, detailed justification shall be made in all supervisors’ subsequent reports.  The Sergeant shall immediately advise the Watch Commander or Supervising Lieutenant that the suspect is being treated or examined following a member’s use of force.

 

Any doubt regarding the need for medical treatment shall be resolved by transporting the suspect to an appropriate medical facility.

 

If the suspect refuses medical treatment in any of the cases previously described, they shall be transported to a medical facility and required to personally inform the medical staff of their refusal to receive medical treatment.  The member transporting the suspect shall include in the appropriate report or memorandum the name of the medical personnel to whom the suspect indicated their refusal and the name of the medical staff member authorizing booking at the Station or regular jail housing.  In addition, an effort should be made to have the medical staff complete an admission report on the suspect and to indicate the suspect's refusal of medical treatment on that report.

 

If the medical staff indicates that the suspect should be treated despite their refusal, the suspect shall be transported to the County-USC Medical Center Jail Ward or to the appropriate Custody Division medical facility for treatment or medical review.

 

Bottom Line:  Deputies who are involved in a use of force with an arrestee should, if at all possible, never transport that suspect.

 

Information regarding the content of this newsletter may be directed to Field Operations Support Services.