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41 G -Police Response to Calls <br /> <br /> <br />Policy & Procedure Page 2 of 6 <br />PROCEDURES [41.2.1] <br /> <br />A. Statutory Guidelines: <br /> <br />Emergency Vehicle Operation: M.G.L. Chapter 89, Section 7B <br />States that the driver of any police vehicle "in an emergency and while <br />In the performance of a public duty may drive such vehicle at a <br />speed in excess of the applicable speed limit if [s]he exercises <br />caution and due regard under the circumstances for the safety <br />of persons and property, and may drive such vehicle through an <br />intersection of ways contrary to any traffic signs or signals regulating <br />traffic at such intersection if [s]he first brings such vehicle to a full stop <br />and then proceeds with caution and due regard for the safety of persons <br />and property, unless otherwise directed by a police officer regulating <br />traffic at such intersection." <br /> <br />B. Categories of Calls for Service <br /> <br />1. Generally <br /> <br />a. Under the direction of the Commanding Officer, the number of <br />officers to be assigned to a call will normally be left to the <br />dispatcher's discretion. When in doubt Dispatcher(s) should <br />confer with the C.O. to determine best response plan <br />b. Certain types of crime will require the dispatching of at least two <br />officers. These types of crime are typically known to have <br />assaultive behavior, an enhanced danger level, possible <br />weapons, and/or multiple parties involved. Some examples <br />include: crimes in progress such as breaking and entering, assault <br />and battery, crowd control and motor vehicle crashes. <br /> <br />i. Emergency calls and most urgent calls will normally require <br />two officers or units to respond. <br />ii. Routine calls will normally require only one officer or unit to <br />respond. <br />iii. Medical emergencies will normally require one officer to <br />respond with the Lexington Fire Department E.M.S. <br /> <br />c. Patrol Supervisors have the discretion, responsibility and authority <br />to determine the number of officers necessary at any particular <br />call or assignment. <br />d. It shall be the responsibility of the Dispatcher or person taking the <br />call to obtain information from the caller that will determine the <br />gravity and thus govern the degree of response to any call. This <br />information will be forwarded to the Patrol Supervisor and <br />Commanding Officer when unusual circumstances exist. <br />e. Dispatchers should give the best estimate of time that it will take <br />for an officer to arrive. Do not give optimistic estimates of the