MARINE 16.5A
TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
TITLE: POLICE MARINE UNIT
GENERAL ORDER: 16.5A
EFFECTIVE: October 1, 2005
RESCINDS: 16.5
PAGES: 4
CONTENTS:
This order consists of the following numbered sections:
I. SELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TRAINING
II. ASSIGNMENT PROCEDURES
III. COMMAND AND GUIDELINES
IV. REQUIRED OFFICER’S EQUIPMENT
V. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
VI. GLOSSARY
PURPOSE:
To establish guidelines for the supervision, operation, and utilization of the Department’s Police
Marine Unit.
SCOPE:
This order applies to all law enforcement officers.
POLICY:
The Tequesta Police Departmentwill utilize a patrol boat to offer the protection on waterways that we
now do on land. The Marine Unit vessel will be used in special purpose patrol, search and rescue operations, and
salvage operations.
The Marine Unit will patrol the waterways within the Village limits to provide a visible deterrent, to assist the
boating public, and to enforce state and local marine laws. The unit will also assist in drug interdiction when and if
necessary.
PROCEDURE:
I. SELECTION, QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING:
A.Selection:
Selection of personnel for the Marine Unit is based upon those individuals who have expressed a
sincere desire and who possess previous experience in boating and waterway operations.
B. Operator Qualifications:
Only members who have completed a safe boating course, demonstrated
proficiency with the particular vessel, and are authorized by the Chief, or designee, will operate the Marine Unit.
1.
Continued assignment to the Marine Unit is contingent upon the maintenance of skills, periodic in-service
training, and evaluations conducted to measure continued competency levels of all unit personnel.
II. ASSIGNMENT PROCEDURES:
G.O. 16.5A
A.
Duty hours will be determined by operational needs. Although primary duty hours of assignment will be on
the day and afternoon shifts, duty hours are subject to change. Unit personnel may be assigned to cover special
target areas, special enforcement functions, or other functions as deemed necessary and appropriate.
B.
Emergency requests to utilize the Marine Unit during off-duty hours will be made through the Chief or
designee.
III. COMMAND AND GUIDELINES:
A.
The Marine Unit shall be administered by the Chief. Subordinate to the Chief, the Operations Commander
will retain control over the unit’s equipment and routine operation and functions.
B.
Marine Unit officers will comply with all directives contained in this General Order. They will conduct and
log required safety inspections and maintenance on a regular basis and immediately report any accidents involving
the department boat.
IV. REQUIRED OFFICER’S EQUIPMENT:
A.
Officers will at all times during the operation of the boat, wear the duty uniform polo shirt with the stenciled
“POLICE” on the back.
B.
Marine Unit officers will wear his/her sidearm in a secured holster.
C.
The patrol boat will be equipped with the following at a minimum:
1.
All items necessary to comply with state law.
2.
First aid kit.
3.
Personal flotation devices.
4.
Flare gun (boat).
5.
Anchor
.
6.
Fire extinguisher.
V. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES:
A. NON-EMERGENCY:
1.
The primary role of the police boat is visibility on waterways, education of the boating public and,
enforcement of all applicable state laws, city codes and rules applying to our waterways.. The patrol boat may
respond to any situation where the legitimate purpose of law enforcement can be enhanced through the use of
the vessel. Officers will obey all laws pertaining to the area in which they are deployed.
2.
Officers assigned to the Marine Unit must be knowledgeable of current State and Federal restrictions relating
to the taking of any marine life, including animals, plants and fish. This is necessary to respond to inquiries
from the public.
3.
Assistance requested by other Law Enforcement Agencies must be cleared through the on-duty supervisor
(Coast Guard, Customs, D.E.A., Florida Marine Patrol, PBSO, FDLE, etc.)
4.
All routine maintenance and cleaning will be done by members of the Marine Unit.
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G.O. 16.5A
5.
Marine Unit vessels will not patrol outside of the Jupiter Inlet, but will remain in jurisdictional waters of
the Village of Tequesta, unless directed otherwise by the Unit Supervisor, Chief of Police, or designee.
6.
The Marine Unit vessel will not be used for towing disabled boats, unless an emergency exists. A list of
commercial marine towing facilities in the area will be contacted at the boat owner’s request.
7.
The Marine Unit vessel will remain secured to the dock or launching area until the motor is running
smoothly and equipment checks have been made.
8.
No civilian will be transported on the Marine Unit vessel without prior approval from the Unit Supervisor
or higher authority.
9.
Idle only speed zones will be strictly adhered to unless in pursuitor an emergency exists.
10.
The Marine Unit vessel will not be operated on a regular schedule during hours of darkness, but may be
specifically assigned functions after dark as needed.
11.
The depth recorder will be used at all times when navigating waters not marked as an official channel
(Intracoastal Waterway).
12.
The kill switch cord will be attached to the operator of the vessel while in motion.
B. EMERGENCY OPERATION/PURSUITS:
1.
If it becomes necessary for an officer to operate the patrol vessel under emergency conditions, including
heavy seas, the operator will operate the vessel in a manner using due regard for the safety of persons and
property, utilizing lights and siren when necessary, and shall wear his Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
2.
The procedure listed in General Order 12.2 Emergency Vehicle Operation shall be applicable to vessel
pursuits except, as stated in this section. Terms which ordinarily apply to vehicles and road conditions shall be
understood to refer to vessels and waterway conditions, as they may apply, in order to properly interpret the
policy.
a.
Marine vessels shall not be used to block waterways or in any manner be intentionally placed in front of a
fleeing vessel for the purpose of stopping it.
b.
Shooting at or from a moving vessel shall be avoided in all instances except those that do not endanger
innocent persons and are justified by unusual or exigent circumstances.
c.
The patrol vessel shall not pursue violators to the point of exhausting the fuel supply, thereby leaving
themselves stranded or vulnerable to offensive actions by the violator.
d.
If the patrol vessel has civilians or prisoners on board, it shall not become involved in pursuit.
e.
During a pursuit, the Marine Officer shall immediately activate his emergency lights and siren and shall
maintain radio contact with communications. The Marine Officer will make every effort to obtain the
registration numbers, boat description, number of occupants and direction of travel of the vessel being
pursued.
f.
All vessel occupants shall wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) during any pursuit.
VI. GLOSSARY:
MARINE UNIT - Special Operations Unit consisting of a police boat.
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G.O. 16.5A
POLICE BOAT - Vessel assigned to the Marine Unit.
INDEXING:
MARINE UNIT
POLICE BOAT
POLICE VESSEL
BOAT
VESSEL
DRAFTED:
JPF/July 20, 20050/Filed: Marine16.5A
APPROVED:
Pete Pitocchelli, Chief DATE: November 05, 2011
Tequesta, Florida
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