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3.5.1 - Assistance Requests

Officers should request backup when additional personnel are reasonably needed for safety, effective incident management, prisoner handling, traffic control, or scene coordination. Requests should communicate the location, nature of the incident, known hazards, and type of assistance needed.

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3.5.2 - Emergency Assistance

An urgent request indicating an immediate threat to officers or others should receive priority attention from available units. Responding officers shall coordinate their approach and avoid creating additional hazards or leaving other critical calls unstaffed without coordination. The responding unit’s emergency driving, lighting, siren, and pursuit conduct must comply with the controlling DPS emergency vehicle and pursuit policies.

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3.5.3 - Arriving as Backup

Unless immediate action is necessary to protect life, backup units should establish contact with the primary officer, identify a useful assignment, and avoid conflicting directions to suspects, witnesses, or fellow officers. Backup officers remain responsible for assessing the legality and reasonableness of their own actions.

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3.5.4 - Medical & Fire Coordination

Officers shall request appropriate medical or fire services when circumstances indicate a need and provide reasonable scene-safety information. Officers should facilitate access and emergency care when safe and consistent with the needs of the incident.

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3.5.5 - Multi-Agency Responses

LSPD and SAST units may support each other as necessary. A designated primary officer or scene commander should assign roles and prevent conflicting instructions. Department identity alone is not a reason to deny needed assistance.

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3.5.6 - Return to Service

Assisting units shall communicate their departure or availability as required by communications policy. The primary officer should confirm any follow-up, evidence, custody, or reporting responsibilities assigned to backup units.