Law Enforcement Tip for September:

Who do you call?

When your agency is in a crisis situation, do you know who you will call for assistance?  Is it someone you've worked with before?  Someone recommended by another agency?  Have they worked with them?  Do you call the Duty Officer for help?  Do you know who within your own agency is trained for a search and rescue event?  Is anyone trained?  Most Law Enforcement programs don't include search and rescue in their syllabus.

50% of searches end within 3 hours of the initial call.  Most agencies have experienced these types of searches, and so when an apparently normal search is initiated, many counties aren't prepared if it isn't resolved quickly.  They get into the next day and wonder what has happened, why the person hasn't been located yet.  Weeks, months, years later, they still are left to wonder if they could have done things differently.

It is these searches that make agencies realize they should have gotten training or located resources in their area to assist them before they are needed in an emergency.  Take time to research organizations in your area, the CERT teams, mounted posse, dive teams, cave rescue and K-9 teams.  Find out what their capabilities are, what their training covers, how they certify or test their skills.  Train with them on a joint exercise prior to needing their assistance. 

And once you find a good group to work with, keep them on your call-out list even if your agency changes leadership.  Mutual aid is something everyone benefits from.

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Last modified: 09/02/10