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Law Enforcement Entities Insurance Policy Information

Law Enforcement Entities Insurance. Law enforcement entities are those governmental bodies engaged in the pursuit of criminal justice - while many people will immediate think of police stations when they hear the term, district attorney's offices, social services buildings, and county probation departments also fall under this heading.

Law enforcement agencies provide services and facilities to protect, defend, and educate the public, generally as part of a federal, state or municipal government. Most have either full- or part-time public officers trained in the legal issues of law enforcement and entrusted with preventing and detecting crime.

Protection can be offered from officers who patrol a designated area by motor vehicle, motorcycle, foot, boat, horse, bicycle, or air. Operations may be conducted from a central station or from numerous smaller facilities located throughout the servicing area.

There may be a garage to service vehicles, a kennel for dogs used in canine patrols, barns for horses, storage of watercraft, or a hangar for helicopters. Special operations conducted by law endorsement agencies include counter-terrorism units, SWAT teams, and "undercover" activities with officers infiltrating suspected criminal groups in order to gain evidence of lawbreaking.

Ongoing training is critical to make sure that the rights of victims and suspected criminals are upheld and to ensure that individual officers are protected from injury. Law enforcement operations provide facilities to investigate complaints of harm or wrongdoing and to detain alleged perpetrators.

Confinement is generally temporary until arrangements can be made for transportation to permanent or long-term facilities.

These organizations tend to have a high risk profile, and risk is very much an expected part of the jobs these entities perform. It comes as no surprise, then, that it is crucial for law enforcement options to proactively manage the risks they face.

Preventative strategies, in the form of training and security systems, are one key portion of risk management. Equipping themselves with high-caliber insurance coverage - which will continue to protect them even after disaster strikes - is another.

What kinds of law enforcement entities insurance might the police and other agencies require? Discover more in this brief guide.

law enforcement entities insurance protects the police and other agencies from lawsuits with rates as low as $297/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked law enforcement agencies insurance questions:

• What Is Law Enforcement Entities Insurance?
• How Much Does Law Enforcement Entities Insurance Cost?
• Why Do Law Enforcement Entities Need Insurance?
• What Type Of Insurance Law Enforcement Entities Need?
• What Does Law Enforcement Entities Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Why Do Law Enforcement Entities Need Insurance?

Law enforcement entities play a unique role in society, and as such they are vulnerable to specific perils. Simultaneously, these governmental bodies also face the same risks that may befall any commercial or public organization.

While the hazards law enforcement entities may be confronted with are extremely diverse, the common factor that binds them together is that they can all lead to massive costs.

A suspect may file a lawsuit alleging wrongful bodily injury, for example, a process that can lead to tremendous settlement costs. Law enforcement officers and public employees can sustain workplace injuries that lead to medical bills as well as work absences, and in the most severe cases even death.

Even mundane circumstances like a burst pipe or a member of the public slipping on a wet floor can induce significant expenses. Then there are acts of nature, such as wildfires, hurricanes, or earthquakes, which can destroy much of a building overnight.

When an agency has made the right law enforcement entities insurance choices, it can avoid undue strain on its budget and help the entity recover more quickly from any hazard it faces.

Because of the sensitive nature of the work law enforcement entities do and their high risk profiles, it is crucial to opt for an insurer who understands the specific needs of these organizations.

Law Enforcement Entities' Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposure is very high due to extensive public access to law enforcement facilities. In addition to prisoners taken into custody and visits from the general public, tours may be given. Law enforcement vehicles and equipment normally kept on the premises pose an attractive nuisance exposure, particularly, to children. If community events are conducted on premises, there should be adequate supervision of all visitors.

Public and life safety code compliance is very important. To prevent trips, slips, and falls, stairways, elevators, and floor coverings should be in good condition. Adequate lighting, marked exits and egress are mandatory. Steps must have handrails, be well lit, marked, and in good maintenance and repair. Parking lots and sidewalks need to be generally level and well maintained, with snow and ice removed.

Suspects and victims must be separated to avoid confrontations. Additional care is required when there is any indication that a prisoner needs medical attention or may cause harm or injury to himself or herself. Children must be monitored and cared for when parents are incarcerated until a child advocate department takes over.

Citizen ride-along programs are discouraged due to the potential for injury should an officer respond to a run. If there are underground storage tanks for vehicle fuel, an underground storage tank policy should be considered.

Off-premises exposures can be substantial as crowds and the media may be drawn to any site where an officer is responding to a call. The area should be secured in order to prevent public access to the site of operations.

While law enforcement activities often benefit from immunity laws, activities that are not directly related will not qualify for that immunity in many jurisdictions.

Professional liability exposure comes from the exercising of police powers, the potential for allegations of personal injury, and from medical care for the prisoners. Allegations regarding discrimination, false arrest, invasion of privacy, negligent hiring and supervision, sexual abuse or harassment, unlawful detention, and use of excessive force are common.

All individuals who work with prisoners are subject to thorough background checks, including criminal history. Hiring, training, supervision and policy procedures are all important parts of promoting the professionalism of law enforcement officers. The right to use deadly force is a serious responsibility for the individual officer.

All officers using firearms must be appropriately licensed and trained. Coverage should be extended to include any part-time employment, such as security.

Workers compensation exposure is severe from both a frequency and severity standpoint. Law enforcement officers must be thoroughly trained with a continuing education program in place. Arrests, crime investigations, directing traffic, stopping motorists for traffic violations, or transporting of prisoners can result in the officer being assaulted, beaten, or killed.

Slips, falls, cuts and bruises, back and knee injuries, and shootings are common. Animals or unruly passers-by may attack officers responding to calls. Traveling to an emergency can result in collisions or overturns, especially when traveling at high speeds or during adverse road conditions.

Officers encounter a lot of stress in their jobs, from responding to unknown situation on calls to the injuries and deaths they routinely witness firsthand. The accumulation of these experiences can result in cumulative post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Physical exams and psychiatric evaluations should be conducted at least annually. Training for defensive driving, handling firearms, self-defense techniques, diffusing conflict situations, and communication with the citizenry and the media are critical.

Supervision is important to ensure that all procedures are always followed. All officers must have body armor that is worn while on duty. There may be exposure to bloodborne pathogens, infectious diseases or other hazardous substances.

Property exposure may be significant. In addition to electrical wiring, heating, and air conditioning systems, the storage of firearms and ammunition on premises increases the potential for damage from fire and can be a target for theft. Electrical circuitry must be up to code and evaluated regularly.

If there are cafeterias or restaurants on premises, the cooking facilities must be well maintained and all cooking is done under a hood or in the oven. If grease-laden vapors are produced, a fire protection device should be in place. Filters should be cleaned regularly.

Garages used for storing, fueling and maintaining vehicles, kennels for boarding dogs, and barns for boarding horses must be separated from office facilities. Arsonists or terrorists may target law enforcement agencies.

Smoke detectors are critical for early detection of a fire. Smoking should be prohibited. Because some prisoners are violent, the cells and areas where they are held must be resistant to their damage.

Wiring and security features must be inaccessible to inmates. Since law enforcement agencies must operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, there must be advance disaster planning in place.

Crime exposure is from employee dishonesty. Background checks should be conducted on all employees. Access to property rooms containing property of others held as evidence in criminal cases must be strictly monitored and controlled.

If money is entrusted to officers for various purposes such as drug buys, it must be closely monitored. Employee dishonesty must also be controlled through separation of duties and regular inventory and auditing.

Inland marine exposure includes accounts receivable if the law enforcement agency bills residents, businesses, or insurers for responses to calls, bailees customers, computers, firearms, mobile equipment, and valuable papers and records for arrest and response information. Law enforcement agencies have a bailees exposure as they retain the personal property of victims and suspects.

Receipts should be provided for any item taken into custody. Access to property rooms should be strictly controlled and monitored. Computers are a major part of any law enforcement activity. Duplicates of all files should be stored in a separate location for easy retrieval in the event of a loss.

Mobile equipment carried by officers includes the SWAT teams, bomb squads, and other special units. Equipment may be highly sophisticated surveillance equipment or may be contractors' equipment. If the agency has dogs or horses, an animal floater may be needed.

Commercial auto exposure is very high as vehicles may be used for transport of prisoners or inmates, public officials, employees, and guests. Officers are on the road 24 hours a day, seven days a week, often with traffic congestion, poor road conditions, or inclement weather. Defensive driving training is necessary.

Drivers must be trained to verify that intersections are clear before going through red lights. There must be a pursuit policy on record that officers are required to follow without exceptions. MVRs must be checked regularly.

Vehicles must be maintained on a regular basis with records kept in a central location. No modifications of vehicles should be permitted. Law enforcement vehicles and the equipment they carry are costly and may be targeted for vandalism.

What Does Law Enforcement Entities Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Law enforcement entities can be sued for various reasons, including excessive force, false arrest, wrongful imprisonment, violation of civil rights, and negligence, among others. Insurance can help protect these entities by providing financial support in the form of coverage for legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments. Here are some examples:

Excessive Force: If a law enforcement officer is accused of using excessive force during an arrest, the injured party may sue the officer and the law enforcement entity. Insurance can help by covering the cost of legal defense, and if the officer is found liable, the insurance can also cover the payment of any settlement or judgment.

False Arrest: If a law enforcement officer arrests someone without probable cause, the individual may sue for false arrest. The insurance policy can help cover legal defense costs and any settlement or judgment awarded to the plaintiff if the officer is found liable.

Wrongful Imprisonment: If an individual is wrongly imprisoned due to the actions of a law enforcement entity, they may sue for damages. Insurance can help pay for the legal defense costs and any settlement or judgment awarded to the plaintiff if the law enforcement entity is found liable.

Violation of Civil Rights: If a law enforcement officer or entity violates a person's civil rights, such as through racial profiling or illegal search and seizure, the individual may sue for damages. Insurance can help cover legal defense costs and any settlement or judgment awarded to the plaintiff if the officer or entity is found liable.

Negligence: If a law enforcement entity is found to be negligent in their duty to protect and serve the public, such as by failing to respond to a call for help, they may be sued for damages. Insurance can help pay for legal defense costs and any settlement or judgment awarded to the plaintiff if the law enforcement entity is found liable.

In all of these cases, insurance can help protect law enforcement entities by covering the costs associated with lawsuits, allowing them to continue providing their essential services to the community. It is important to note, however, that insurance policies typically have limits and exclusions, and they may not cover every situation or the entire amount of a settlement or judgment.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

• SIC CODE: 9221 Police Protection
• NAICS CODE: 922120 Police Protection, 922150 Parole Officers and Probation Officers
• Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 7720 Police Officers & Drivers

Description for 9221: Police Protection

Division J: Public Administration | Major Group 92: Justice, Public Order, And Safety | Industry Group 922: Public Order And Safety

9221 Police Protection: Government establishments primarily engaged in law enforcement, traffic safety, police and other activities related to the enforcement of the law and preservation of order. The National Guard is classified in Industry 9711. Private establishments primarily engaged in law enforcement, traffic safety, police and other activities related to law enforcement are classified in Services, Industry 7381. Government establishments primarily engaged in prosecution are classified in Industry 9222. Military police are classified in Industry 9711. Government establishments primarily engaged in the collection of law enforcement statistics are classified in Industry 9229.

• Bureaus of criminal investigations-government
• Highway patrols
• Marshals'offices, police
• Police departments
• Sheriffs'offices
• State police

Law Enforcement Entities Insurance - The Bottom Line

To learn more about the specific types of law enforcement entities insurance policies needed, including coverage limits and premiums, consult with a reputable broker that is experienced in law enforcement commercial insurance.

Additional Resources For Local, State And Federal Government Insurance

Learn about commercial insurance for local, state and federal government agencies, services, operations and buildings.

• Auditoriums
• County Administration Offices
• Courthouses
• Fire Departments
• Government Buildings
• Jails
• Law Enforcement Entities
• Municipalities
• Public Buildings
• Townships
• Specialty Government

The local, state and federal government agencies, services, operations and buildings industry needs business insurance for a variety of reasons.

First and foremost, business insurance helps protect against financial loss. Governments and their agencies often handle large amounts of money, assets and sensitive information, making them a target for theft, fraud and other criminal activities. Insurance can help cover the costs associated with recovering from these types of losses.

In addition, government agencies and buildings are at risk for natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes and hurricanes. Commercial insurance can help cover the costs of repairing damage caused by these types of events.

Furthermore, government agencies and services often deal with the public on a daily basis, making them vulnerable to liability claims. For example, if a government building is not properly maintained and a visitor slips and falls, the agency could be held liable for the injuries sustained. Insurance can help cover the costs of legal proceedings and any damages awarded.

Lastly, commercial insurance can help protect against unexpected disruptions in operations. For example, if a government agency's computer systems were to crash, it could disrupt the agency's ability to function effectively. Business insurance can help cover the costs of getting the agency back up and running as quickly as possible.

Overall, the local, state and federal government agencies, services, operations and buildings industry needs insurance to protect against financial loss, natural disasters, liability claims and disruptions in operations. Without it, these agencies could face significant financial and operational challenges.

Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Building, Business Personal Property, Employee Dishonesty, Money and Securities, Accounts Receivable, Audio/Visual Equipment, Computers, Contractors' Equipment, Fine Arts, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Cyberliability, Employee Benefits, Public Officials' Liability, Umbrella, Hired and Non-Oowned Auto & Workers Compensation.

Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Earthquake, Equipment Breakdown, Extra Expense, Flood, Computer Fraud, Forgery, Employment-related Practices, Business Auto Liability and Physical Damage and; Stop Gap Liability.