Line-of-Duty Death or Serious Injury Incident Assistance

Documentation necessary for application of benefits:

-Marriage license, which may be obtained from the court clerks office in the county where the marriage was performed -Certified copy of a death certificate may be obtained from the Florida Department of health -Certified copy of minor child/children birth certificate -W-2 earning statement for the current if possible immediate past year (a copy of the previous tax year W-2 statement will suffice)

Level 1 memorial service K-9 killed in the line of duty

-after chief has been made aware of a line of duty death, a meeting will be conducted to review funeral procedures -Chief well designate a K-9 Liason/Officer in charge -when the department is ready to release a dogs body, a call is made to the appropriate veterinarian. The K-9 handler who will then have an opportunity for a private visitation.

The DLO, will be responsible for ensuring:

-assistance to the family with arrangements for travel and lodging for out of town members -Expedient provision of all department resources -Comprehensive survey of alternate churches and reception halls with seating, capacities large enough of accommodating, a law enforcement funeral -Coordinating all official law enforcement, notifications and arrangements for a law enforcement funeral, including honor guards, pallbearers, traffic control, and Liason with visiting enforcement agencies

The DLO will be briefing the family on the law enforcement funeral procedure that includes a ___-gun salute, a presentation of the flag, and the playing of taps.

21-gun

The chief within ___ hours of the incident, will make appropriate referrals for stress debriefing for employees close to the incident and referrals for the surviving family if the family desires

24 hours

The benefits officer will give special attention to problems with possible revocation of health benefits. Most family members are given a ___ day grace period before being canceled from the coverage or for assuming responsibility for monthly payments for the coverage.

30-day

Department will arrange for all employees directly involved in the incident to meet with the department designated professional services specialist for debriefing and evaluation within ___ days of the incident whenever possible

5 days

A follow up of the surviving family will be made every __ months until the family receives every possible benefit. If there are surviving children from a former marriage, the guardian of those children will also receive information regarding benefits, to which the child or children are entitled

6 months

Directly involved employees will also meet with the department designated professional services specialist for debriefing and evaluation __ months, and ___ year after the incident

6 months and 1 year

The DLO will be arranging for routine residence checks of the families home for ___ to __ weeks following the incident. This may require outside liaison with other jurisdictions.

6 to 8 weeks

The private K-9 visitation will take place within a __ or __ of the death of the K-9. When the handler is ready, the appropriate veterinarian will proceed with the cremation arrangements. The cremation will be private, the dogs body will be the only body in the retort. A fur clipping and a clay paw print will be done prior to the cremation for the handler to keep

A day or two

Department designated professional service specialist will advise the results of the debriefing and evaluation as to whether the employee's best interest to be placed on __ leave or light duty and for how long

Administrative

Level III Funeral Protocols - Retired K-9 Death

After the death of the K-9, the chief will be notified. The handler's wishes will be taken into consideration before a plan is determined. The honors to be given will be at the discretion of the chief.

The benefits officer will be advising the family of the role police associations and other organizations who make the respective attorneys/financial advisors available to the family for any necessary legal/financial counseling. Such ___ will not be affiliated with the city of MB government and that should work as an advocate avid of the families interests.

Attorneys

The city of MB provides basic life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance for every employee. The death benefits are payable to the ___ name and the insurance beneficiary documentation and dismemberment is payable to the employee. In addition to the Basic coverage, some employees are enrolled in optional coverage insurance.

Beneficiaries

Worker's Compensation benefits are payable to the __ of the fallen employee, or to an employee injured in the line of duty

Beneficiaries

Those designated by the employee as recipients of specific death benefits

Beneficiary

A comprehensive clarification of survivor's ___ will be provided to the family, and the chief may activate portions of this SOP, for cases of natural death of an employee

Benefits

Financial payments made to the family to assist with financial stability following the loss of an employee

Benefits

The ___ officer will prepare and file the necessary paperwork for those benefits on behalf of the family as well as to check on the status of claims until the benefits are paid to the survivors.

Benefits officer

This individual is responsible for compiling all death benefits that are due to the survivors. They will work in conjunction with command staff to assemble information as soon as possible upon the death of an employee and coordinate with a family liaison officer, FLO to provide the information to the survivors.

Benefits officer

The K-9 unit supervisor, the on duty shift supervisor, and the chief of police will be notified as soon as possible via the __ of __ when a K-9 line of duty death occurs

Chain of command

Only the __ may mandate a referral to a design specialist for the briefing and evaluation.

Chief

In the event that the family decides to accept a media interview, the ___ or an employee, selected by the family should attend and screen all the questions presented to the family, asked to not jeopardize upcoming legal proceedings. All press releases will be issued by the chief. The PIO will assist as directed by the chief.

DLO department liaison officer

The __ will keep all department personnel up-to-date on the plans and arrangements as they receive them from the FLO. ** they will also make notifications with LEADS to provide information in reference to the deceased employee, and the arrangements for the visitation and the funeral

DLO department liaison officer

The ___ will be responsible for and will oversee all public relations that may result from the news media in reference to the death of the employee

DLO department liaison officer

The ___ will be responsible for coordinating the response of the peer support team and the EAP for the employees of the department that are in need of interaction with special attention to the employees who have or had direct interaction and emotional ties with a deceased employee

DLO department liaison officer

This individual will be a command officer appointed by the chief with the authority to allow the officer in charge OIC to make financial obligations and purchases that may be necessary for the visitation and funeral detail.

Department liaison officer DLO

The ___ may go outside the chain of command due to their knowledge of the situation, and communicate the families needs directly to the chief.

Department liaison officer, DLO

Never make a death or serious injury notification on the ___. And never spark a false sense of hope. The notification officer will gather everyone in the home and ask them to be seated, he will give the family the information of the incident clearly and slowly being sure to use the employees name during the notification. **** if the employee has already died, relay that information, using words like died, and dead, rather than gone away, or passed away

Doorstep

If the family wants to go to the hospital, they should be transported via police vehicle. It should be encouraged not to drive themselves to the hospital. If there is serious resistance, and the family insists on driving, and Officer should accompany them in the family car driving if possible. The notification officer is permitted to assist in making transportation arrangements to Miami Beach, but may not assume responsibility for travel ___ on behalf of the department, without the authorization of the chief

Expenses

The HGR honor guard representative will work closely with the __ and __ to ensure that family wishes are carried out as requested to the extent possible

FLO and OIC

The Officer in charge OIC will also work directly with the ___ for the coordination of responses for family requests. They will ensure that all protocols are being followed by representatives and employees involved in the planning of operations of the event. In addition they will resolve any conflicts that may arise during the planning and execution phases of the event.

FLO family liaison officer

Scheduling for the meeting with the designated professional service specialist will be coordinated between the Chief and in the case of a sworn officer with the ___ President

FOP President

The ___ has the responsibility of attending to the needs of the family and making the family aware of the support and services that the departments can offer. They will be available to the family on a 24 hour basis throughout the entire process and will provide the family with telephone contact numbers and will offer to remain or arrange for someone to remain at the home on a temporary basis, if needed

Family liaison officer, FLO

The ___ is responsible for the expedient accomplishments of tasks in support of the family and funeral process, assuring the wishes of the family are followed to the extent possible.

Family liaison officer, FLO

The ___ position will be the coordinating point for planning a meeting with the family and funeral coordinator regarding funeral arrangements and any visitation at the funeral home, the actual funeral, and the follow up care of the family. The family will be made aware of ways the department can assist if the family decides to have a line of duty funeral.

Family liaison officer, FLO

The ___ should be a person who knew the deceased employee, but not should be an employee who is emotionally involved in the death, as to render themselves ineffective. This position is not a decision making position, but it is that of a facilitator between the family and the department.

Family liaison officer, FLO

The ___ will become familiar with our information concerning the death or injury, and any continuing investigation in order to answer questions to the family.

Family liaison officer, FLO

The primary facilitator between the family and the department designated by the chief

Family liaison officer, FLO

The benefits officer will visit the surviving family to discuss survivor benefits, within a __ days, following the funeral, and will follow up with the family within a ___ following the funeral to ensure the family understands the process and to help address any questions

Few days ; month

The family of the officer and Dog will have the ___ decision for the actual burial of the dog, either with its fallen handler, or the family can choose to take custody of the K-9's remains for safekeeping at their home. The department will provide the urn for the fallen K-9 and provide a family with an American flag for the officer and the K-9

Final

A brief memorandum will be written to the chief, including dogs name, ID, date of death and a brief statement summarizing the circumstances surrounding the death. **A copy of this memorandum will be sent to ____ Management, and a copy will be retained in the K-9 unit files.

Fiscal Management

The local media should be notified of the loss and plans for the memorial service of the K-9 through a ___ press release

Formal press release

An individuals appointed by the chief, who is responsible for all formations and professional routes. This individual plans and lines up the formations, and may make commands and instruct the formations, these officers need to have knowledge of, and work directly with the traffic coordinator as to not obstruct any pre-determined routes.

Formations and movements officers

Financial payments made to the surviving family of an employee killed in the line of duty, which are specifically and marked for __ payments

Funeral payments

In the event of a line of duty death the 20 notification may include an order to lower the departments flag to __-__ from the time of the death through the 10th day following the funeral

Half-Staff

An officer designated by the chief responsible for coordinating all honor guard, and motor unit participation for the appropriate services of the deceased employee.

Honor guard representative HGR

The ___ will be responsible for coordinating the logistics at funeral home and working directly with the funeral home Director. They will also be responsible for coordinating the logistics at the graveside service with the cemetery personnel.

Honor guard representative HGR

The ___ will further be responsible for coordinating all honor guard participation for the appropriate services of a deceased K-9 as they would an employee. They will work closely with K-9 Liason to ensure the handlers wishes are carried out as requested to the extent possible.

Honor guard representative HGR

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Honors all of the America's federal state and local law enforcement officers. The department is responsible for submitting the name of its falling officer for inclusion in the memorial.

The first ranking officer to arrive at the hospital, becomes a ___ liaison officer, unless relieved of that designation. They are responsible for coordinating the arrival of immediate family , Department employees, city officials, and the media and others.

Hospital liaison officer

A supervisor or officer who have been assigned to act as a liaison between the hospital and the department by the chief. They will be responsible for coordinating the activities of hospital personnel, the member's family, fellow police officers, and the press, but only after prior consultation with the DLO Department liaison officer and any others that may be involved

Hospital liaison officer, HLO

If at any time during the investigation, a department investigator or a K-9 unit supervisor, suspects criminal activity or negligence on the part of the K-9 handler, ___ ___ unit will be contacted and will conduct an investigation

Internal affairs unit

Police officer assistance trust POAT

Is dedicated to the law-enforcement community of Miami Dade County by providing assistance to the officers and their immediate families in the times of hardship and personal crisis

Individual appointed by the chief, who is responsible for the overall operation of the entire K-9 event. They will ensure that all protocols are being followed by the representatives and employees involved in the planning and operations of that event. In addition they will resolve any conflicts that may arise during the planning and execution faces of the event

K-9 Liason/Officer in charge

When a K-9 dies due to injuries sustained, while actively performing their duties. This is regardless of the death due to assault of actions, or criminals or incurred accidentally due to the chaos of the situation.

K-9 Line of Duty Death

When a K-9 is still a working assets and is outside of their normal duties due to injury or conditions, not related to the assignment in anyway

K-9 active non-work related death

The PSCD will be giving a message to send through ___ notifying police agencies of the service. This information will include any dress code requirements for the K-9 funeral.

LEADS

Department will provide all possible ___ assistance and support to the immediate family members of an employee who dies, is seriously injured, or become seriously ill on the line of duty. ** this includes providing tangible and intangible emotional support during this time.

Liason

K-9 __/Officer will be responsible for getting the appropriate information for service cards, communication with the traffic coordinator, honor guard representative, emerald society/bagpipe organization, and any other needs of the event

Liason

The death of a K-9 in the line of duty will be investigated as a department use of deadly force incident. If the death is a result of possible neglect an investigation will be conducted by CID. If the death occurs outside of the jurisdiction, internal affairs, CID and K-9 unit supervisor will be contacted to assist and___ with investigators.

Liason

Include any action, felonious, or accidental, which claims the life of an employee who was performing police functions, either while on or off duty. The chief may assert certain parts of this SOP into affect for causes of natural or accidental death of an employee due to incidents which are not police related while in an off duty status or as a retired department employee.

Line of duty death

An injury or systematic illness serious enough for hospitalization, or time away from the department that is ordered by the physician for an indefinite period

Line of duty injury or illness

Any notification of immediate family beyond Miami Dade or Broward county areas should be made by the ___ law enforcement agency in that area. ** PSCD will send a teletype message to the jurisdiction of the notification with a confirmation request

Local

Death or serious injury notifications must always be made in person, and never alone. The chief will designate a division __ as a notification officer. The chief will assign at least one other officer to accompany the notification officer, or may choose to accompany the notification officer. A department chaplain or member of the departments peer support team or the department employee identified by the deceased employee should also if available accompany the notification officer. *The family should learn of the death or serious injury from the department, rather than from the press or other sources.

Major

Social Security administration benefits SSA

May provide benefits for members or their beneficiaries in case of death or disability of the member

The DLO will be the central point of contact for any ___ representatives who made contact the department in reference to the death. Media release is regarding the death will be provided to the family of the employee prior to the release to the public. Additionally, no information regarding the death of an employee will be released prior to the deceased employees family being notified

Media

If there is knowledge of a medical condition with a primary survivor, ___ personnel will be dispatched to stage near the residence to coincide with a notification along with the notifying personnel

Medical

If it is possible for the family to visit a critically injured employee, depending on the hospital policy, they will be afforded that opportunity. ___ personnel should make the family aware of hospital policy concerning visitation with a trauma patient or with the deceased employees remains. ___ personnel should also explain why an autopsy is required

Medical personnel

The DLO, will keep in touch with a family with at least ___ phone calls throughout the first year as necessary there after.

Monthly

If the family can be brought to the hospital prior to the death of an employee, the department ___ officer will not wait for the appropriate delegation to gather

Notification officer

A __ plan will be formulated using the most recent confidential line of duty, death/serious injury information provided by the employee.

Notification plan

An additional FLO may be considered for children that do not reside with a fallen employee. In the event employee has multiple families and/or an adversarial relationship exist between the families, the ___ make a sign a separate liaison for each family as needed

OIC officer in charge

The level of intensity of the memorial services is defined by either a death in the line of duty or a non-work related death of an active dog. * department will utilize K-9 and Liason from the department to ensure proper planning of all incoming K-9 teams to the funeral and to ensure all protocols are being followed. The canine Liason will work hand-in-hand with the ___

OIC officer in charge

State fraternal order of police FOP

Offers an insurance policy on all members killed in the line of duty, the first point of contact is the president of the FOP

If criminal violations surround the death or injury, the ___, Will ensure the family is informed of all developments prior to the press release, and if there are no court proceedings surrounding the circumstances of the employee's death, they will relay that information to the surviving family, as soon as it becomes known

Officer in charge OIC

The __ is also responsible for the communication of all details throughout the entire planning process, and throughout the funeral detail, they are responsible for the delegation of authority of each of the major functions of the funeral detail.

Officer in charge OIC

The officer designated by the chief, who is responsible for the overall organization of the entire event. This individual is responsible for separating major functions of the funeral detail, obtaining overall logistics of the geographic and/or functional detail of all aspects of the funeral detail.

Officer in charge OIC

The depts flags will be posted at half staff and police morning bands will be worn for ___ week from the K-9's death. Death of a canine in the course of its duties will be considered a police line of duty death, and the K-9 will be afforded a burial/cremation courtesies and all honors associated with the police line of duty death

One week

Any employee whose actions or use of force in an official capacity results in death or serious physical injury, will be removed from line duty assignment, ___ an administrative review. The employee will remain available for any necessary administrative investigations

Pending

Concerns of police survivors COPS

Provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty as determined by federal criteria. * it maintains a state by state list of benefits available to survivors of the killed in the line of duty on their website COPS kids counseling for dependent age do children of officers killed in the line of duty

Officers directly involved in a shooting incident will be required to __ as soon as practical after being released back to full duty

Re-qualify

During any incident were involved employees are required to remain on scene, they will be relieved of their duties. They will whenever possible, be taken to a quiet, secluded area near the scene of the incident. An Officer will, whenever possible, remain with the individual involved. Discussion of the incident will, whenever possible, be ___ from at this time.

Refrained

Each individual submitting a functional ___ will be responsible for maintaining resources and information for their function and have those resources readily available.

Responsibility

When a K-9 who has been formally retired from service dies for any reason

Retired K-9 death

Level II funeral protocols - active/non-work related K-9 death

Same protocols as a level 1 with the approval of the Chief. Service for the K-9 handler and family will be held; the service will be appropriate to honor the K-9 service to the community as well as the life of the K-9

If the chief or a division major is not immediately available to make the designation of a notification officer, the ___ ranking on duty officer will designate a notifications officer

Senior

The notification officer will notify the ___ ranking officer at the hospital by phone that the family is enroute

Senior

Post traumatic stress disorders may not arise immediately, or the employee may attempt to hide the problem, each __ is responsible for monitoring the behavior of their employees for any symptoms of the disorder

Supervisor

___ will advise the chief via chain of command, whenever they have a reasonable believe that stress may have been disrupting an employee's job performance. **The decision to order the employee to seek assistance or counseling from health specialist is the responsibility of the chief. **** The criteria for referral will be based solely upon observable and documented deficiency or deteriorating job, performance, or questionable behavior

Supervisors

Immediate family members of the deceased employee to include a spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings, fiancé, and/or significant other. The surviving spouse will be the decision maker regarding arrangements and the person from home the FLO will take direction. Should an employee be single the FLO will work directly with the surviving parents and adult children if any.

Survivors

In the event of a line of duty death, the chief will direct PSCD to issue a ___ message to other law-enforcement agencies, advising of the death of the employee, and any available details regarding funeral arrangements

Teletype

Veterans administration benefits, if applicable

They may provide disability or death benefits to the employees who are eligible veterans. In addition, the employees dependents may be eligible for education benefits. Some of the benefits that may be available to eligible veterans are death pension, funeral expenses, National Service life insurance, Servicemen's group life insurance or veterans group life insurance, and or Interment of burial plot allowance, to include the American flag and head stone and maker

___ take precedence over protocol in the death or serious injury notification process. The senior ranking on scene officer is responsible for ensuring that timely notification is made to the employees family. Upon the confirmation of the death or serious injury, notification of immediate family must be made shortly after or coincidental with normal command notifications.

Timeliness

An officer appointed by the chief to be responsible for all traffic related issues, including but not limited to the funeral procession, parking at the funeral and parking at the cemetery. This individual may also need to coordinate EMS and tow trucks along the procession routes.

Traffic coordinator

Involved employees will whenever possible notify their family members about the incident ASAP. If injuries or other circumstances prevents involved employees from notifying family members, a department official will personally notify the family and arrange for ___ to the hospital.

Transportation

That notification officer will submit a ___ report of all notifications made via the chain of command to the chief

Written