(Ord. No. CSO#781-02-2018, § 1, 2-19-2018)
It is the purpose of this article to protect victims whose health, safety, and welfare may be jeopardized through exposure to violence by means of strangulation.
(Ord. No. CSO#781-02-2018, § 1, 2-19-2018)
For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
The chief of police of the city.
A firefighter, emergency medical technician, or emergency care attendant that provides first response to requests for emergency medical services and provides immediate on-scene care to ill or injured persons, while acting in his or her official capacity, and is employed by or contracted by the city or a separate governmental entity that has entered into an inter-local agreement with the city to provide such services.
As defined in V.T.C.A, Family Code § 71.004.
The fire chief of the city.
As defined in Vernon's Ann. C.C.P. art. 2.12 that is employed by the city and acting in his or her official capacity.
Impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the person by applying pressure to the person's throat or neck or by blocking the person's nose or mouth.
(Ord. No. CSO#781-02-2018, § 1, 2-19-2018)
(a)
When the act of strangulation is alleged or suspected within the city, the peace officer will summon emergency medical personnel to the scene to evaluate and render aid to the victim.
(b)
The peace officer will document emergency medical personnel's presence and role in the police report by including their name, identification number, employment agency and unit number.
(c)
Peace officers shall provide the victim referral information to the appropriate support agency for assistance and document the referral in their police report.
(d)
Peace officers will thoroughly document the suspect's behavior, actions, and any comments made during the act of strangulation.
(e)
When the act of strangulation is alleged or suspected within the city, peace officers shall utilize a checklist approved by the chief of police to help evaluate the situation and provide aid to the victim.
(f)
When the act of strangulation is alleged or suspected within the city, emergency medical personnel shall conduct a medical evaluation and assessment to help evaluate the situation and provide aid to the victim.
(Ord. No. CSO#781-02-2018, § 1, 2-19-2018)
The chief of police shall designate a strangulation task force (STF) consisting of members from law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, medical community personnel, advocate representatives, and any other members deemed appropriate by the chief of police. The STF shall aid and advise the chief of police and fire chief in developing and implementing checklists, questionnaires, and an education training program for peace officers, emergency medical personnel, and other first responders encountering strangulation scenarios.
(Ord. No. CSO#781-02-2018, § 1, 2-19-2018)
Any violator of this article may be punished by administrative means by the city manager or the city manager's designee in their discretion. A violation of this article is not subject to the penalties outlined in section 1-14 of this Code. The imposition of the penalty provided in this section is not a criminal conviction and may not be considered a conviction for any purpose. The penalty provided in this section shall be cumulative of other remedies provided by state law.