Provided 6-17-16 1516 RTKL 0181 PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT Office of School Safety Directive #29 SUBJECT: DEATHS- NATURAL and/or SUDDEN I. POLICY A. In cases where a person dies, or is recognizably dead, while School Police personnel are present, the Philadelphia Police Department/Fire Medic Unit “911” shall be notified immediately. B. In cases where a School Police Officer becomes aware of the death of a School District employee, the SPO is to promptly notify his/her supervisor. II. DEFINITIONS A. Natural Death- Death from apparently known and natural causes, in which a definite diagnosis can be made, either from hospital records or by the family physician that attended the victim prior to death. B. Sudden Death- Unexpected death, or occurrence of death, the cause of which is unknown (i.e., a death where the victim has not recently been under care of a physician for illness which might be fatal.) C. Death by Suicide- The taking of one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally. D. Suspicious Death- Death with questionable circumstances. E. Accidental Death- Death by an unexpected occurrence. III. PROCEDURE A. When an SPO comes upon the scene of a dead body, he/she is to adhere to the following guidelines: 1. Immediately secure the scene. (See Directive #11, regarding the process of securing of the scene.) 2. Notify the School Police Radio Dispatcher (215) 400-6000 and Philadelphia Police Radio at 911. 3. Notify the school’s principal who, in turn, will notify: 1. Philadelphia Police Department-“911” (If no SPO is available.) 2. School Police Radio Dispatcher at 215-400-6000. (If no SPO is available.) 3. Regional Office 4. Office of School Climate and Safety (215) 400-4710 5. Parent or Emergency Contact 6. Office of Communications (215) 400-4040. 7. Incident Control Desk (215) 400-6100 to alert them of the incident (EH-31 required. See Directive 16) B. When an SPO is privy to the death of a School District employee, he/she is to alert his/her Supervisor. C. The supervisor will notify the pertinent Commander. 07-21-04 Revised 07-12-06 JUNE 2015 BY ORDER OF THE CHIEF SAFETY EXECUTIVE OFFICE of SCHOOL SAFETY 1 - 29