Why Pre-Arrival Preparation Matters
According to the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officers Killed & Assaulted (LEOKA) report, more than 11 percent of assaults on officers between 2019-2023 occurred while responding to calls for “disturbance or welfare check.” The combination of minimal background information, unknown environments, and the possibility of medical or behavioral crises makes these calls uniquely unpredictable. A structured risk-assessment process before arrival can dramatically lower the odds of injury to officers and the person being checked on.
This guide distills best practices from academy curricula, after-action reviews, and community-policing frameworks to help patrol supervisors and frontline officers build safer welfare-check protocols.
1. Clarify the Call Type at Dispatch
The initial CAD entry often reads simply “welfare check.” Press for specifics so everyone shares the same mental model before leaving the parking lot.
Question for Call-Taker | Why It Matters |
---|---|
Who requested the check and how well do they know the subject? | Third-party requests from distant relatives carry a higher chance of outdated intel. |
When was the last confirmed contact? | A lapse of >72 hours increases the likelihood of medical emergencies or unattended death. |
Any mention of weapons, substance use, or mental-health history? | Officer assault risk rises seven-fold when firearms or severe behavioral health concerns are present (LEOKA 2023). |
Does the subject have medical alerts or mobility issues? | Guides choice of equipment (AED, stretcher assist) and influences forced-entry decisions. |
Are other agencies or caregivers already involved? | Prevents duplication and facilitates information sharing on scene. |
Encourage dispatchers to update the radio if new intel arrives while the unit is en route.
2. Leverage Databases and Local Knowledge
- RMS / NCIC query: Flags for protective orders, violent priors, or stolen weapons.
- Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) notes: Many jurisdictions tag residences with repeat mental-health contacts.
- Community paramedicine or adult-protective-services logs: Provide medical device info (oxygen tanks, sharps) and key-holder contacts.
- Next-door officers and beat partners: A 30-second hallway briefing can reveal recent calls for service at the same address that never made it into the CAD narrative.
Tip: Build a single-page “welfare check pre-plan” template in your MDT that autopopulates these sources whenever an address is entered.
3. Evaluate Environmental Risk Factors en Route
Map tools and prior incident data allow supervisors to assign resources proportionate to risk.
Indicator | Low | Medium | High |
---|---|---|---|
Firearm history at address (past 2 years) | None | Hunting rifles only | Illegal possession or prior assault |
Number of prior 911 calls in 30 days | 0-1 | 2-3 | 4+ |
Behavioral health flags | None | Depression or dementia | Suicidal, psychosis, substance withdrawal |
Access limitations | Open lobby / visible windows | Gated complex | Bars on windows, reinforced doors |
If two or more high factors are present, consider staging medical personnel, requesting an additional unit, or deploying a designated CIT officer.
4. Plan Approach and Entry Points
- Park offset from front door to maintain cover and clear sight lines.
- Use mirrors or camera sticks to scan interior if windows allow.
- Carry breaching tools discreetly; visible pry bars can escalate anxiety if the occupant is conscious.
- Knock-and-announce twice, then pause to listen for movement or medical alarms before forced entry.
- When possible, phone the subject and any listed caregiver from the cruiser. A simple voice confirmation can avoid property damage and confrontation.

5. Integrate Medical and Behavioral-Health De-escalation Tools
Welfare checks often morph into medical rescues. Equip units with:
- Stop-the-Bleed or IFAK kits
- Naloxone
- Disposable medical gowns and N95 masks (unattended deaths → biohazard)
- CIT de-escalation cue cards: simple scripts vetted by clinicians for dementia or autism spectrum encounters
Training note: A 2024 study in Police Quarterly found agencies that paired CIT officers with EMTs on welfare calls reduced use-of-force incidents by 38 percent.
6. Document Scene Safety Findings in Real Time
Voice-to-text or body-worn-camera notes captured during the approach help investigators and reduce liability. Key elements to record:
- Exterior condition (mail pile-up, odors, pet activity)
- Audible alarms or medical devices inside
- Obstructions or booby traps (common in hoarding residences)
- Subject position and responsiveness upon entry
The first 90 seconds of narration frequently become critical evidence in civil litigation over delayed medical care or forced entry.

7. How Automated Daily Check-Ins Reduce High-Risk Calls
Many welfare checks stem from “no contact in days” scenarios that technology can neutralize before they escalate. Automated services like ConfirmOk place scheduled phone or SMS prompts; a simple “press 1 #” response verifies well-being and pushes instant notifications to relatives or case managers. Agencies that partner with such programs often report:
- Fewer 911 welfare requests for repeat addresses
- Earlier detection of medical issues (missed check-ins trigger EMS rather than unprepared patrol response)
- Better data for triaging which calls truly require sworn officers
Learn how municipal agencies integrate ConfirmOk into community-policing and senior-services divisions at confirmok.com.
8. After-Action Review and Policy Refinement
Each welfare check offers lessons. Conduct quick hot-washes covering:
- Was the pre-arrival intel accurate? If not, fix the intake script.
- Did staffing match the actual risk level?
- Were medical or social-service referrals completed?
- Did body-cam or BWC footage reveal new training needs?
Input insights into roll-call briefings and update the pre-plan template quarterly.
Key Takeaways for Command Staff
- Treat welfare checks as dynamic, not routine. Data-driven triage prevents complacency.
- Formalize dispatch questions that surface weapons, mental-health flags, and caregiver contacts.
- Equip units with medical gear and de-escalation tools proportionate to local call patterns.
- Leverage technology such as ConfirmOk to reduce unnecessary high-risk entries and free officers for higher-priority duties.
Smart pre-arrival risk assessment protects officers, conserves resources, and delivers better outcomes for vulnerable community members. Investing a few extra minutes before turning on the cruiser lights can be the difference between a routine assist and a critical incident.