NCJ Number
91368
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 31 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1983) Pages: 76-82
Date Published
1983
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes the various activities and operations to be performed by a police response team working in consultation with the family of a deceased officer to plan and execute funeral arrangements.
Abstract
The response team should be composed of volunteer officers who were not close coworkers of the deceased officer, and the team should be available to assist the family and coordinate activities for the division of which the deceased was a member. The team should be careful not to disrupt or usurp the plans or wishes of the family. This can best be ensured by having an immediate family member share leadership of the planning with a police supervisor or commander. A member of the team should be in charge of each subsidiary funeral activity. Further, a police legal advisor should be accessible in the event any legal issues arise in the course of the funeral planning. Policy on memorial contributions should be implemented, and attention should be given to the religious preferences of the family in selecting the place and personnel for the service. Strict attention should be given to traffic control and parking in the course of the funeral. Also, the team head should research records and outline the death benefits available from various sources. Provision should be made for out-of-town officers who will be attending the funeral, and someone should be in charge of activities at each site involved in funeral activities. Attention should be given to the type of honors shown at the service, which usually depends on the size and resources of the agency. Special considerations include family counseling, counseling of any slain officer's partner, transportation of the body to another area, and the burial of an out-of-town officer in the department's jurisdiction. Finally, an up-to-date checklist should be maintained for all activities.