8.8 Inappropriate or Anti-Social Behaviour

Purpose

To outline procedures for responding to inappropriate, suspicious, aggressive, or anti-social behaviour encountered during patrol operations.

Overview

SLS personnel may encounter behaviour that presents a risk to public safety, member welfare, or patrol operations, including aggressive, suspicious, offensive, intoxicated, or anti-social behaviour.

SLS personnel must prioritise personal safety, member welfare, and continuation of lifesaving operations at all times.

Where required, assistance should be requested through the State Operations Centre (SOC).

Procedure

Response to Inappropriate or Suspicious Behaviour

Where inappropriate, suspicious, aggressive, or anti-social behaviour is reported or observed, SLS personnel should:

• Maintain personal safety and avoid unnecessary confrontation,
• Maintain a safe distance from the individual or incident,
• Consider restricting public access to the affected area where safe and practicable,
• Observe and record relevant information including descriptions, location, involved vehicles, or behaviour,
• Obtain information from witnesses where appropriate,
• Notify the SOC,
• Maintain communications with patrol personnel and the SOC,
• Continue patrol surveillance and lifesaving operations where practicable, and
• Escalate any immediate threats to emergency services.

Where safe to do so, personnel may continue to monitor the situation from a safe location while awaiting emergency services or additional assistance.

Operational surveillance, patrol capability, and minimum lifesaving service standards must be maintained wherever practicable during the management of behavioural incidents.