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Chief's Role in Line-of-Duty Deaths: Your Worst Nightmare Has Just Come True

NCJ Number
174851
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 63 Issue: 5 Dated: May 1996 Pages: 26-33
Author(s)
T H Simms
Date Published
1996
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article describes ways a chief or sheriff can prepare for a line-of-duty death and things to do after the event to help the organization, the community and the officer's family.
Abstract
Each year in the United States, approximately 150 law enforcement officers lose their lives in the line of duty. Law enforcement agencies should generally follow a few basic guidelines before, during and after such incidents: (1) Develop a policy in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, including chaplains; (2) Have every officer and his or her family complete a form listing the officer's wishes in case of untimely death and listing assets, including insurance policies and their location; (3) Establish clear procedures for notifying survivors; (4) Give the media as much information as possible, as quickly as possible; (5) Entrust planning and coordination of the funeral to a detail-oriented and meticulous staff member; and (6) Provide continued support to and involvement with the surviving family, and work to meet the emotional needs of the family, the department and the community. The article includes a list of organizations and publications to consult for further information.

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