Policy Westerville Division of Police

433 OH Policy Manual

Medical Aid and Response

433.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Best Practice MODIFIED
This policy recognizes that members often encounter persons who appear to be in need of medical
aid and establishes a law enforcement response to such situations.

433.2 POLICY
Best Practice
It is the policy of the Westerville Division of Police that all officers and other designated members
be trained to provide emergency medical aid and to facilitate an emergency medical response.

433.3 FIRST RESPONDING MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

Best Practice MODIFIED
Whenever practicable, members should take appropriate steps to provide initial medical aid (e.g.,
first aid, CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED)) in accordance with their training
and current certification levels. This should be done for those in need of immediate care and only
when the member can safely do so.
Prior to initiating medical aid, members should summon emergency medical services
(EMS) personnel as deemed appropriate.
Members should follow universal precautions when providing medical aid, such as wearing gloves
and avoiding contact with bodily fluids, consistent with the Communicable Diseases Awareness
and Precautions Policy. Members should use a barrier or bag device to perform rescue breathing.
When requesting EMS, the member should provide Communications with information for relay to
EMS personnel in order to enable an appropriate response, including:
(a) The location where EMS is needed.
(b) The nature of the incident.
(c) Any known scene hazards.
(d) Information on the person in need of EMS, such as:
1. Signs and symptoms as observed by the member.
2. Changes in apparent condition.
3. Number of patients, sex and age, if known.
4. Whether the person is conscious, breathing and alert, or is believed to have
consumed drugs or alcohol.
5. Whether the person is showing signs or symptoms of excited delirium or other
agitated chaotic behavior.

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Members should stabilize the scene whenever practicable while awaiting the arrival of
EMS. Members should not direct EMS personnel whether to transport the person for treatment.

433.4 TRANSPORTING ILL AND INJURED PERSONS

Best Practice MODIFIED
Except in extraordinary cases where alternatives are not reasonably available, members should
not transport persons who are unconscious, who have serious injuries or who may be seriously
ill. EMS personnel should be called to handle patient transportation. Officers should search any
person who is in custody before releasing that person to EMS for transport.
An officer should accompany any person in custody during transport in an ambulance when
requested by EMS personnel, when it reasonably appears necessary to provide security, when it
is necessary for investigative purposes or when so directed by a supervisor.
Members should not provide emergency escort for medical transport or civilian vehicles.

433.5 PERSONS REFUSING EMS CARE

Best Practice MODIFIED
If a person who is not in custody refuses EMS care or refuses to be transported to a medical
facility, officers shall not force that person to receive care or be transported. However, members
may assist EMS personnel when they determine the person lacks mental capacity to understand
the consequences of refusing medical care or to make an informed decision and the lack of
immediate medical attention may result in serious bodily injury or the death of the person.
In cases where mental illness may be a factor, officers should consider proceeding with a civil
commitment in accordance with the Emergency Hospitalization Policy.
Officers who believe that a person who is in custody requires EMS care and the person refuses,
should encourage the person to receive medical treatment. If the person still refuses, officers will
require the person to be transported to the nearest medical facility when EMS personnel believe
such care is medically necessary. In such cases, officers should consult with a supervisor prior
to the transport, if practicable.
Officers shall not sign any medically-related forms or documents accepting financial responsibility
for treatment.

433.5.1 SICK OR INJURED ARRESTEES

Agency Content
Arrestees appearing ill or injured, or who claim illness or injury, should be medically cleared prior
to booking. Arrestees who appear to have a serious medical issue should be transported by
ambulance. Officers shall not transport an arrestee to a hospital without a supervisor’s approval.
If the jail or detention facility refuses to accept custody of an arrestee based on medical screening,
the officer should note the reason for refusal, and should notify a supervisor to determine the
appropriate action.

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433.6 MEDICAL ATTENTION RELATED TO USE OF FORCE

Best Practice MODIFIED
Specific guidelines for medical attention for injuries sustained from a use of force may be found
in the Use of Force policy.

433.7 AIR AMBULANCE

Discretionary MODIFIED
Generally, when on-scene, EMS personnel will be responsible for determining whether an air
ambulance response should be requested. An air ambulance may be appropriate when there are
victims with life-threatening injuries or who require specialized treatment (e.g., gunshot wounds,
burns, obstetrical cases), and distance or other known delays will affect the EMS response.

433.8 AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED) USE

State MODIFIED
Members should use AEDs only after they have received the required training (ORC § 3701.85).

433.8.1 AED USER RESPONSIBILITY

Discretionary MODIFIED
Members who carry AEDs for use in agency vehicles should check the AED at the beginning of the
shift to ensure it is properly charged and functioning. Any AED that is not functioning properly will
be taken out of service. The on-duty supervisor and the designated employee who is responsible
for ensuring appropriate maintenance will be notified.
Any member who uses an AED shall summon EMS personnel as soon as practicable (ORC §
3701.85).
Following use of an AED, the device shall be cleaned and/or decontaminated as required. The
electrodes and/or pads will be replaced as recommended by the AED manufacturer.

433.8.2 AED REPORTING

Discretionary MODIFIED
Any member using an AED will document its use in an appropriate report.

433.8.3 AED TRAINING AND MAINTENANCE

State MODIFIED
The Professional Development Officer should ensure appropriate training, that includes training
in CPR and AED use, is provided to members authorized to use an AED (ORC § 3701.85).
The designated employees are responsible for ensuring AED devices are appropriately
maintained and tested consistent with manufacturer guidelines, and will retain records of all
maintenance and testing in accordance with the established records retention schedule (ORC §
3701.85).

433.9 ADMINISTRATION OF NALOXONE

Agency Content

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433.9.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Agency Content
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the administration of Naloxone (Narcan) to
individuals displaying signs of an opiate overdose by officers of the Westerville Division of Police.

433.9.2 DEFINITIONS
Agency Content
Definitions associated with this policy:
• Naloxone – An opioid-receptor blocking medication used in the treatment of acute
opioid-related overdose symptoms.
• Narcan – Brand name of Naloxone.
• Naloxone Administrator – The individual listed as the “Responsible Party” on the
Terminal Distributor of Dangerous Drugs (TDDD) license from the Ohio State Board
of Pharmacy.

433.9.3 TRAINING
Agency Content
All officers must complete agency-approved training on the administration of Naloxone, which
includes practical training by qualified instructors and the Narcan eLearning Course through the
Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway (OHLEG) eOPOTA application.

433.9.4 ADMINISTRATION OF NALOXONE

Agency Content
Officers may administer agency-issued Naloxone to an individual who is apparently experiencing
an opioid released overdose (ORC § 2925.61; ORC § 4729.51) when:
• Officers become aware of a person in an overdosed state;
• Officers observe drugs, drug paraphernalia or any other drug instruments associated
with the subject or have reason to believe the subject is suffering from an opioid related
overdose, and;
• Officers observe the subject to be unresponsive, and their breathing is distressed or
has stopped.
Officers will summon EMS personnel as soon as practicable either before or after administering
the Naloxone.

433.9.5 RESPONSIBILITIES
Agency Content
The Chief of Police or designee will determine the manner in which Naloxone is assigned and
deployed by officers.
The Naloxone Administrator is responsible for the procurement, issuance, and inventory
maintenance of Naloxone.

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Officers should handle, store, and administer Naloxone consistent with their training and
manufacturer guidelines.
Officers should check the Naloxone and associated administration equipment at the beginning
of their shift to ensure they are serviceable and not expired. Expired Naloxone, damaged doses,
or unserviceable administration equipment should be removed from service and turned in to the
Naloxone Administrator or the on-duty supervisor.

433.9.6 REPLACEMENT
Agency Content
Naloxone is replaced according to the following circumstances:
• Use of dose;
• The dose reaches extreme temperatures outside manufacturer guidelines;
• The dose is damaged;
• The dose is expired according to manufacturer guidelines.
A limited supply of Naloxone will be stored in a secured, designated location inside the Westerville
Division of Police. The Naloxone will be stored consistent with training and manufacturer
guidelines. Designated supervisors will have access to this supply of Naloxone.

433.9.7 REPORTING
Agency Content
Whenever an officer administers Naloxone, the following procedures shall be followed:
• The officer will ensure the on-duty supervisor is notified of the incident as soon as
practical.
• A case report will be completed by the involved officer detailing its use.
o
"Naloxone Administration" will additionally be documented in the appropriate
field of the report.
The Naloxone Administrator is responsible for general agency reporting requirements.

433.10 WESTERVILLE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Agency Content
The Westerville Emergency Assistance Program is a partnership between the Westerville Division
of Police, the Westerville Division of Fire and private counseling center partners. The purpose of
the program is to provide the opportunity for immediate treatment or admission to long term care
for individuals who may have an opioid addiction. Officers and/or medics who have responded to
a scene can identify these individuals based on statements made by the individual, their family or
their involvement in an overdose incident.
Program Procedures:
1. An officer will be dispatched to any suspected overdoses in the city.

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2. Officers will document the incident in a Case Report as required.

3. If an overdose occurs, the reporting officer will contact the designated program
supervisor and provide the report number and any other details regarding the incident.
Contact with the program supervisor should be made as soon as practical.
4. The program supervisor and the counseling liaison will attempt to make personal
contact with the individual that day or as soon as practical. The individual will receive
information about the treatment and support programs available. If the individual
cannot be located, information can be left with a family member or left at the residence.
5. If the counseling center determines that the individual needs immediate in-patient
treatment, they will coordinate the admission process and WPD will transport to the
facility.

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