If a caller reports a witnessed homicide, which protocol should be used?

• A. Protocol: 106
• B. Protocol: 111
• C. Protocol: 127
• D. Protocol: 105

Answer: (A)

When a caller reports a witnessed homicide, the dispatch should follow the protocol designed specifically for witnessed violent crimes. This approach prioritizes rapid scene safety assessment and immediate escalation to the right responders, including on-scene units and homicide detectives. It also guides the dispatcher to gather essential details quickly and clearly: the exact location, time of the incident, number of victims, victim and suspect status, description of any suspect or weapon, possible directions of flight, and any ongoing danger to the public or officers. This focused flow ensures the scene is secured, evidence is preserved, and investigators are alerted early to start the criminal inquiry.

Other protocols cover different situations—like non-violent incidents, welfare checks, or events where the crime isn’t witnessed—so they wouldn’t trigger the same level of homicide-specific response or information gathering. Using the witnessed homicide protocol aligns the call handling with the needs of a reported violent crime, enabling faster, more effective investigation and safety actions.