Guest guest Posted January 21, 2002 Report Share Posted January 21, 2002 ----- Original Message ----- , So if an officer has you run a plate, it doesn't show you what agency has recently run the plate in the response your getting? I guess this is something else I take for granted.... We do not get that in Ohio. Now on warrants it will show us the last agency that ran it, but not in Ohio. However Lets say we enter a tag that is stolen, and an agency has ran that tag within the last 48hrs (i think that is the time frame) we will get a thing back letting us know that. Jim Columbus Police Columbus Ohio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2002 Report Share Posted January 21, 2002 I have read with great interest the different policies for well being checks. A few thoughts from my end... Working on the midnite shift gives a whole new meaning to the welfare check... First off, if it is a male/female, who decides that at 0200 hrs that it is imperative to check on the well being of some minors (who, usually ALL the time, end up being the shared children of the estranged) this always sends a red flag. First off, being in the business for this long, it has made it no problem for me to ask why all of a sudden this sudden interest in their well being comes to mind. Second of all, does the caller sound intoxicated? All this goes on in the back of my mind when listening to the wails of the complainant. When it comes to welfare checks of children, when, in MY mind it appears to be one to harass the other party with the cops being the middleman...I have learned to do this. First off, check to see if there is any type of temporary protection order on the caller. Or, civil protection order. I ask for the complainants name. If they chose to give it...I ask for their ssn. That verifies who they are...to some degree, anyways. If they (caller) are so concerned about whom they are calling about, they usually fess it up without a problem. Next, I make sure that they give a call back number and address. If these callers dont want to give up their name or etc...I tell them that I will pass it on to my road supervisor, and THEY will be the one to decide if we go or not. Far be it from me to let a decision like that be on my shoulders. That is why there are road supervisors. I have learned over many years that I cannot read the brass' minds, and why should I be the one that gets my head on the chopping block if something isnt passed on? The whims and fancies of the dept are not mine to make, and I'll be darned if it is going to be me to end up with the final decision. If it is a medical concern, we always go. If it is a snitch call, and it is at 0300 hrs in the morning, I will tell the road supervisor, and nine times out of ten, he will make the decision to at least drive by and make sure nothing seems out of place. When in doubt, send em out. It is a good practice to document everything you do, and if need be, forward the information to childrens services,...if it appears that there is concern for the safety and well being of minors. Passing the buck? nope. All in all, in my honest opinion, that is what road supervisors are for. If THEY decide We dont go, it is on them. We on the midnites have a good working relationship with our supervisors. We usually, in one way or another, make some sort of effort to check on everyone, but, that is with the blessing of the supervisor. They are paid to do it, and far be it from me to decide, from the phone end of things...to make that decision. Saves a lot of grief. At least over here, with our policies.... Cin in good ole Ohio happy day...be safe~~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2002 Report Share Posted January 21, 2002 ><<It's not ok just to " send the unit " ... without really finding out about the call. >> I may have misspoken here. I know that it's some departments policy to " send a unit " to every call. If that's your departments policy, they you must abide by it. I just think it's stupid policy. Weintraut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2002 Report Share Posted January 21, 2002 , So if an officer has you run a plate, it doesn't show you what agency has recently run the plate in the response your getting? I guess this is something else I take for granted.... Jim ******************************************************************** You have it correctly. That function has to be done by a 3rd party only. Ain't teknologee wunnderful? Iowa State Patrol Communications Werling NØXZY scott@... http://www.ia.net/~anachamb/pumpkin.html http://www.jonescountytourism.com http://www.earthsat.com/wx/dotwx/winter_roads.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2002 Report Share Posted January 21, 2002 This is a state-to-state thing...I know Massachusetts logs that info (i.e. if I run the plate here (Vermont) then if someone in MA runs the same plate - they will see that I queried it here in VT). But our interface here does not give us that info, even from the states that do log it. Diane G. UVM PD > > > , So if an officer has you run a plate, it doesn't show you what agency > has recently run the plate in the response your getting? I guess this is > something else I take for granted.... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2002 Report Share Posted January 22, 2002 >I agree. I'm baffled by the departments that don't send someone. Just do it.< I simply don't have the resources to send units to calls where there is absolutely no reason to send them... and it would be poor policy, poor customer service, and a waste of everyone's time to do so.... Ok... Here's what I meant. I've taken a call, and through my interrogation skills, I've found that the party requesting the " welfare check " is checking on a brother who hasn't answered the phone in a couple of days. ( " It's not really that unusual, I'm just worried " ) There's no history of illness, nothing to indicate there is anything amiss. During the conversation I find there is another relation that lives a couple of blocks away.... " has this person been contacted? " " no " " Please call the other relations, see if you can find out any further, and call me back if you need assistance " . ------------------------- Why should I send a unit to that call? I've handled the call. Why use a responder, who may be needed for real " customer service " at a personal injury accident... or burglary... or domestic... I've handled hundreds of welfare check calls just like the above over the years... through my questioning, I've found that there was absolutely no need to send a unit for many reasons.. harassment, misunderstanding, or simply lonely people who needed to talk to someone, and this is the only " complaint " they can think to file. >I agree. I'm baffled by the departments that don't send someone. Just do it.< I hope I misunderstand here. My point is that you should never " just send someone " until you've done the proper questioning and found out that exactly what type of call you have, and exactly what response is needed. Sometimes the proper response is.... none.... simply because you've taken care of the call yourself, or there is no valid " call " to start with. If there is the slightest chance that it is a warranted call...a true condition where a " welfare check " needs to be taken, I will not hesitate for a moment to send someone. But I won't " send someone " simply to clear a call sheet. I know dispatchers (I don't think you're one of those Jim) who simply take the call... fill out a sheet... send a unit.. mark a disposition.. and think they are doing their job. They are not. This " Take 'em & Send 'em " attitude causes many problems for officers and dispatchers alike. Weintraut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2002 Report Share Posted January 22, 2002 >I agree. I'm baffled by the departments that don't send someone. Just do it.< I simply don't have the resources to send units to calls where there is absolutely no reason to send them... and it would be poor policy, poor customer service, and a waste of everyone's time to do so.... Ok... Here's what I meant. I've taken a call, and through my interrogation skills, I've found that the party requesting the " welfare check " is checking on a brother who hasn't answered the phone in a couple of days. ( " It's not really that unusual, I'm just worried " ) There's no history of illness, nothing to indicate there is anything amiss. During the conversation I find there is another relation that lives a couple of blocks away.... " has this person been contacted? " " no " " Please call the other relations, see if you can find out any further, and call me back if you need assistance " . ------------------------- Why should I send a unit to that call? I've handled the call. Why use a responder, who may be needed for real " customer service " at a personal injury accident... or burglary... or domestic... I've handled hundreds of welfare check calls just like the above over the years... through my questioning, I've found that there was absolutely no need to send a unit for many reasons.. harassment, misunderstanding, or simply lonely people who needed to talk to someone, and this is the only " complaint " they can think to file. >I agree. I'm baffled by the departments that don't send someone. Just do it.< I hope I misunderstand here. My point is that you should never " just send someone " until you've done the proper questioning and found out that exactly what type of call you have, and exactly what response is needed. Sometimes the proper response is.... none.... simply because you've taken care of the call yourself, or there is no valid " call " to start with. If there is the slightest chance that it is a warranted call...a true condition where a " welfare check " needs to be taken, I will not hesitate for a moment to send someone. But I won't " send someone " simply to clear a call sheet. I know dispatchers (I don't think you're one of those Jim) who simply take the call... fill out a sheet... send a unit.. mark a disposition.. and think they are doing their job. They are not. This " Take 'em & Send 'em " attitude causes many problems for officers and dispatchers alike. Weintraut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2002 Report Share Posted January 22, 2002 Working for a campus police department, we have gone to the local hospitals to transport students, who are treated and released, back to campus or to their apartments. We check with the supervisor first. If we are busy, then we call the student life staff member on call who will make arrangements. We don't have that many. Usually, they are in the hospital longer, since the medical center on campus handles most minor emergencies. But periodically, a student involved in a bike or traffic accident will be treated and released. annette hallmark tamu utilities (formerly UPD) > Re: 911:: Welfare Checks Along these same lines, does anyone > offer rides home from the local hospital for those that ask. I'm not > speaking of the elderly or those who would need a medical transport home. > I'm talking about those that call the police just like they'd call the local > taxi except we won't charge the $20. > > Patty > > BTPD NJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2002 Report Share Posted January 22, 2002 Working for a campus police department, we have gone to the local hospitals to transport students, who are treated and released, back to campus or to their apartments. We check with the supervisor first. If we are busy, then we call the student life staff member on call who will make arrangements. We don't have that many. Usually, they are in the hospital longer, since the medical center on campus handles most minor emergencies. But periodically, a student involved in a bike or traffic accident will be treated and released. annette hallmark tamu utilities (formerly UPD) > Re: 911:: Welfare Checks Along these same lines, does anyone > offer rides home from the local hospital for those that ask. I'm not > speaking of the elderly or those who would need a medical transport home. > I'm talking about those that call the police just like they'd call the local > taxi except we won't charge the $20. > > Patty > > BTPD NJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2002 Report Share Posted January 22, 2002 In a message dated 1/22/02 9:23:45 PM Eastern Standard Time, kjkinsey@... writes: > " Gosh, I don't know ANYTHING about the Constitution. " > She took the money she'd already won and left. I was in shock, guess I > shouldn't be, since I spend so much time explaining the 4th amendment to > people, the 1st amendment runs a close second in time spent explaining. I > just wish they'd use the 5th a little more and remain silent! LOL > > My favorites are the bird brains that Jay Leno stops on the street! I'm still not sure that I believe these people aren't actually actors because I'm too afraid to believe there are that many incredibly stupid people running loose out there! Patty BTPD NJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2002 Report Share Posted January 22, 2002 In a message dated 1/22/02 9:23:45 PM Eastern Standard Time, kjkinsey@... writes: > " Gosh, I don't know ANYTHING about the Constitution. " > She took the money she'd already won and left. I was in shock, guess I > shouldn't be, since I spend so much time explaining the 4th amendment to > people, the 1st amendment runs a close second in time spent explaining. I > just wish they'd use the 5th a little more and remain silent! LOL > > My favorites are the bird brains that Jay Leno stops on the street! I'm still not sure that I believe these people aren't actually actors because I'm too afraid to believe there are that many incredibly stupid people running loose out there! Patty BTPD NJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2002 Report Share Posted January 22, 2002 Jim, it used to be 48 hours, NCIC upgraded the " delayed queue " (that's what they call it) to 5 days. Re: 911:: Welfare Checks > We do not get that in Ohio. Now on warrants it will show us the last agency > that ran it, but not in Ohio. However Lets say we enter a tag that is > stolen, and an agency has ran that tag within the last 48hrs (i think that > is the time frame) we will get a thing back letting us know that. > > > Jim > Columbus Police > Columbus Ohio > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2002 Report Share Posted January 22, 2002 Jim, it used to be 48 hours, NCIC upgraded the " delayed queue " (that's what they call it) to 5 days. Re: 911:: Welfare Checks > We do not get that in Ohio. Now on warrants it will show us the last agency > that ran it, but not in Ohio. However Lets say we enter a tag that is > stolen, and an agency has ran that tag within the last 48hrs (i think that > is the time frame) we will get a thing back letting us know that. > > > Jim > Columbus Police > Columbus Ohio > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2002 Report Share Posted January 22, 2002 I'm with Patty here....I was almost in shock the other night, turned on the TV to watch a show, was a couple of minutes early and caught the end of a game show. The category was " The Constitution " and the contestant--a nice-looking, middle-aged woman most likely from a middle-class neighborhood--said, " Gosh, I don't know ANYTHING about the Constitution. " She took the money she'd already won and left. I was in shock, guess I shouldn't be, since I spend so much time explaining the 4th amendment to people, the 1st amendment runs a close second in time spent explaining. I just wish they'd use the 5th a little more and remain silent! LOL > > I'm sure you have all had the pleasure of a caller or two that obviously > watches way too much TV and is under the impression that their local police > have the same blanket powers and resources as NYPD Blue. > > I think the public needs to be TOLD what the police will do. Most have no > clue what a police officer does all day and quite honestly I don't think most > of them care. As long as they get a cop the instant they call, no matter how > trivial the problem is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2002 Report Share Posted January 22, 2002 I'm with Patty here....I was almost in shock the other night, turned on the TV to watch a show, was a couple of minutes early and caught the end of a game show. The category was " The Constitution " and the contestant--a nice-looking, middle-aged woman most likely from a middle-class neighborhood--said, " Gosh, I don't know ANYTHING about the Constitution. " She took the money she'd already won and left. I was in shock, guess I shouldn't be, since I spend so much time explaining the 4th amendment to people, the 1st amendment runs a close second in time spent explaining. I just wish they'd use the 5th a little more and remain silent! LOL > > I'm sure you have all had the pleasure of a caller or two that obviously > watches way too much TV and is under the impression that their local police > have the same blanket powers and resources as NYPD Blue. > > I think the public needs to be TOLD what the police will do. Most have no > clue what a police officer does all day and quite honestly I don't think most > of them care. As long as they get a cop the instant they call, no matter how > trivial the problem is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2002 Report Share Posted January 23, 2002 << Other than this comment, I'm staying out of this topic string! >> WORD!!!! Xenia/Greene County/OH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2002 Report Share Posted January 24, 2002 >That " condition " may not be known by the caller. What if it's a hunch or intuition on the family members part? Even if it takes 3 hours for the officer to get there because of other high priority calls, so be it.< Jim, From what I read in your post, you have plenty of personnel to respond to these types of calls. And that's fantastic, I wish every department had the dispatch and road personnel to really get into the " customer service " aspect of what we do. (Let me qualify that.... I wish we did, up to a point... I think some departments are going a little too far in this direction, and it's taking the focus away from what our real priorities should be.) But due to the huge majority of non-emergency calls that pour into 9-1-1 centers, most have to really juggle their resources, (civilian and enforcement) simply to answer the calls that REALLY require a response. I'll guarantee you if I told a requesting family member that it would be approximately 3 hours (or in my department's case maybe the next day) before I could send someone to their " welfare check " , it would end up causing me more problems than if I told them we simply don't have the personnel, and they would have to make other arrangements. Most of the time they can... It's just easier to call the police... Weintraut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2002 Report Share Posted January 26, 2002 We go on all requests for welfare checks -- even one like the other day, ok, follow with me, neice in Idaho has an uncle in San Francisco who is divorced with cousins of the neice somewhere in the Bay Area, can't reach the uncle cause he's in the hospital, can't find the cousins so wants to get a message to the divorced aunt to see if she can reach her kids to tell them about their dad. Its not REALLY a welfare check -- when we couldn't find a number to call we sent a unit to her address and provided the information. Now it took a bit to get there cause we had higher priority calls waiting but we went. Its part of our community policing. << If a person calls requesting a welfare check on an over-due person that is over the legal age of consent, but has no basis to believe any harm has come to them, how does your agency justify looking for them? They have broken no laws and can (pretty much) do what they want when they want. >> Customer service and outreach to the community to show we do more than write tickets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.