15.335 - CAD Cautions

Effective Date: 05/01/22

CAD Cautions are pieces of information linked to addresses that assist responding employees by making them aware of potential concerns related to the location.

This policy applies when employees submit caution information about locations for placement in the CAD database and for employees who maintain caution records.

15.335-POL General Policy

1. Any Employee May Submit Caution Information

Any employee who has information related to a location that may be useful to responding personnel in the future may submit the information for evaluation and possible inclusion in CAD files.

All submissions require at least sergeant approval. Submissions recommending a minimum officer response require a lieutenant approval.

The approving sergeant or lieutenant will also recommend how long the caution will remain in effect.

- Cautions may remain in effect one month to three years

- Consider factors related to how frequently occupants are expected to remain. (e.g. Owner vs Renter)

Any employee may notify SPD Sustainment of any change at the location that would affect the caution.

2. CAD Cautions Must Contain Sufficient Information

Types of information typically included in CAD Cautions are:

- Officer safety concerns from persons associated with the location

- Hazmat, derelict building, or other concerns related to the location itself

- Location has an increased minimum officer response

- Location is hard to find or has access issues

Any CAD Caution that provides an access code must include the following:

- Name and contact information of the permanent agent that provided the access code

- The agent should not be temporary personnel such as contracted security

- The date the code was given to SPD

- The date that SPD’s authorization to use the code expires, if applicable

To submit caution information, the employee sends an email to SPDSustainment@seattle.gov that contains the details.

3. The CSCC Evaluates CAD Caution Submissions

The CSCC’s Communications Analyst evaluates the information submitted by employees.

CSCC will not consider “no response” requests.

4. The CSCC Maintains CAD Caution Information

The CSCC’s Communications Analyst maintains the CAD Caution database and is responsible for entering new information, updating existing entries as requested, and purging entries that are expired.