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New Response Protocols (continued):

person. Agencies should use their discretion and what works best for them. Examples
of reports that can be taken over the phone could include:

Non-injury vehicle crashes where there is no disturbances to other drivers, no
blocking of a roadway, and no driver impairment

Lost property excluding firearms or narcotics

Identity theft with no physical evidence

Shoplifting, yard thefts, construction site thefts, storage facility thefts, etc. where
the loss is less than $5,000 and there is no physical evidence

Thefts from vehicles, excluding firearms, where there is no recoverable evidence

Vandalism and property damage where perpetrator is not present and loss is
less than $5,000

Agencies should reassure the public that officers will still respond to serious calls that
involve ongoing threats or harm. Agencies should use their discretion to determine
what works best for them. Examples include:

An on-going or immediate threat involving bodily injury

Ongoing or active criminal activity

Calls where evidence collection or photographs are required

Motor vehicle thefts/recoveries

Juvenile runaways or those who escape juvenile confinement

Conclusion

According to many top medical officials from organizations like the CDC and
the WHO, the most important thing anyone can do to combat COVID-19 is to be
prepared and avoid panicking. This is especially important for law enforcement
agencies, who have the potential to be seen as authority figures to the public during
the midst of an outbreak. Preparedness allows officers to be a calming, stabilizing
presence for the unsettled public. Through this pandemic outbreak of COVID-19,
the public will look for guidance and reassurance, and law enforcement officers
have a great opportunity to provide that.

28 www.texaspoliceassociation.com • (512) 458-3140 Texas Police Journal