PATROL 12.1D
G.O. 12.1D
TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
______________________________________________________________________________
TITLE: PATROL DIVISION ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION
GENERAL ORDER: 12.1D
EFFECTIVE: December 15, 2004
REVISES: 12.1C
PAGES: 6
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
CONTENTS:
This order consists of the following numbered sections:
I. ORGANIZATION
II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
III. VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
IV. GLOSSARY
PURPOSE:
To establish guidelines for the operation and administration of the patrol division.
SCOPE:
This order applies to all law enforcement officers.
DISCUSSION:
This order details, but does not limit, the general responsibilities of the patrol division.
POLICY:
The Police Department will maintain a highly visible patrol force that is responsive to the needs of the
community.
PROCEDURE:
I. ORGANIZATION:
A. Division Function:
The patrol division provides a 24-hour response to requests for law enforcement service for the
Village of Tequesta. To achieve this goal, continuous patrol shifts are scheduled.
B. Chain of Command:
The patrol division chain of command, in normal day-to-day operations, is as follows:
1. Operations Commander: is
The Operations Commanderresponsible for all patrol activities, in his absence the
Support Services Commander will assume this responsibility. He supervises police sergeants, police officers, and
support staff in their assigned duties.
3. Shift Sergeant:
A shift sergeant is responsible for zone staffing, coordination of service call assignment, and time
management for each member of the shift.
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G.O. 12.1D
4. Acting Shift Supervisor:
In the absence of a shift sergeant, the acting shift supervisor will be responsible for zone
staffing, coordination of service call assignments, and time management for each member of the shift.
C. Call Prioritization:
Calls for service will be assigned a priority status to ensure proper response as follows:
1. Priority 1 - In-Progress:
This category includes calls that require emergency rapid response by an officer to prevent
the loss of life or serious injury, or crimes that involve in-progress felony offenses. Priority 1 calls will be dispatched
immediately and assigned to the closest available unit. A shift supervisor may release officers from other calls to
respond to a Priority 1 situation.
2. Priority 2 - Just Occurred:
This category includes calls that require a rapid response to pre
vent repeat violence, or to apprehend wanted persons or suspects in the area of the crime. Priority 2 calls will be
dispatched and assigned as soon as possible.
3. Priority 3 - In-Progress/Non-emergency:
This category includes calls that do not require a priority response, but
involve in-progress misdemeanor crimes with a suspect in the area of the crime.
4. Priority 4 - Routine/Non-emergency:
This category includes non-priority calls that require a general, non-
emergency response for incidents that are not in-progress and are delayed in nature.
D. Case Number Assignments and Officer Reporting Requirements:
Most calls for service will be assigned a case
number by dispatch and officers will complete an offense/incident report. Certain miscellaneous calls may not require a
case number at the discretion of the shift supervisor.
E. Response to Calls for Service:
Generally, a single unit will be dispatched to routine calls for service. However,
certain calls may require more than one officer to deal safely and effectively with the problem. Guidelines for determining
which situations require a response from more than one officer should be based on the actual or perceived presence of one
or more of the following:
1.
An actual or threatened assault upon an officer;
2.
On-scene arrest for a felony or violent misdemeanor;
3.
Resistance to arrest;
4.
Use of force or threatened use of force;
5.
Crime in progress;
6.
Fleeing suspect;
7.
Intrusion or robbery alarms;
8.
Weapons-related calls;
9.
Calls involving known violent persons;
10.
Domestic disturbances when both parties are on the scene;
11.
Disturbance calls involving disorderly conduct, intoxication, fights, or large parties or groups; and
12.
This list will not prevent officers from routinely providing assistance or checking on the safety of another officer.
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G.O. 12.1D
F. Radio Communications:
All officers engaged in field operations will have constant access to radio
communications. Officers are issued portable radios for two-way communication between patrol vehicles, the
communication center, and specialty units. Officers identification numbers will be used for identification purposes during
a tour of duty. Other identifiers may be used for specialized units. All radio communications will conform to the general
order indexed as Communications Administration and Operation.
1.
Established 10 Codes, dispatch signal codes, and the phonetic alphabet will be used for radio communications, except
when the incident commander authorizes plain language during an unusual occurrence.
2.
Officers performing patrol duties are required to contact the Communications Division in the following
circumstances:
a. At the beginning of shift;
b. To acknowledge a call from a dispatcher and advise when en route to a call;
c. Upon arrival at a call;
d.When a call is completed;
e. When taking meal breaks;
f. When leaving the immediate vicinity of their patrol vehicle;
g. When making an investigative or traffic stop;
1) When making a traffic stop, officers will inform the dispatcher of the stop, the location, and a brief description of
the subject(s) and/or vehicle being stopped.
2) Traffic stops will be performed in accordance with the general order indexed as Traffic Law Enforcement.
3.
The Communications Division will inform officers of any known, actual or potential hazards they may encounter. The
dispatcher will convey this information to the responding officers at the time of dispatch and update the information as
received.
a. Severe weather bulletins received in the Communications Division will be broadcast over the primary radio groups.
b. A description of hazards likely to be encountered at a later time or date should be relayed to the appropriate shift
supervisor and passed along to officers at the beginning of a shift.
c. Officers going off duty will notify oncoming officers of immediate hazards.
II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Patrol Officer:
1.
Patrol officers are responsible for providing the initial law enforcement response to calls for service in the community.
Their general responsibilities include:
a. Deter crime;
b. Respond to calls for service;
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G.O. 12.1D
c. Keep the peace;
d. Investigate crimes and incidents;
e. Direct traffic;
f. Assist citizens in need;
g. Enforce the law;
h. Apprehend law violators;
i. Perform duties and responsibilities outlined in their job descriptions.
2.
Officers will report to work ready for duty. It will be the responsibility of all officers, whether reporting for duty or
securing, to see to it that assigned vehicles are operational, clean, and have a full tank of gas. Each officer will inspect
their assigned vehicle for safety defects, damage, and discarded contraband, before each tour of duty. Vehicle and
equipment defects will be brought to the attention of the shift supervisor.
3.
Officers will respond to their assigned zones at the beginning of their shift, unless otherwise directed by a supervisor.
4.
Officers will remain in assigned zones until relieved, or otherwise directed by a supervisor.
5.
Officers will be alert during their tour of duty and respond to all assigned calls for service. Radio communications
will be monitored and dispatched calls for service will be acknowledged immediately.
B. First Line Supervisors:
First line patrol supervisors are directly responsible for the supervision of officers assigned
to their shift. Their duties include:
1.
Monitor and evaluate officer job performance and activity.
2.
Edit and evaluate reports and paperwork;
3.
Provide advice and guidance to ensure safe and professional completion of assignments;
4.
Respond to emergencies;
5.
Monitor assignment of priority calls; and,
6.
Enhance member morale.
7.
Assume command at certain crime scenes, to include:
a. Agency vehicle crashes;
b. Violent crime involving serious bodily harm or death;
c. Natural disasters that cause widespread civil disruption;
d. Calls involving agency members as a victim or suspect;
e. Calls where the agency may be civilly liable;
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G.O. 12.1D
f. Requests by an on-scene unit or higher authorities; and,
g. Calls resulting in the immediate response of the news media.
III. VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT:
A. Vehicle Operation:
Officers will drive defensively, obey traffic laws, and operate their vehicle safely and
courteously. Emergency vehicle operation will conform to the guidelines outlined in the general order indexed as
Emergency Vehicle
B. Vehicle Markings:
Patrol vehicles will be conspicuously marked and be identifiable to the public from any vantage
point. Markings include reflective “Police” wording, “911" decals, and other identifications that are unique to Tequesta.
Vehicles used by administrative staff, detectives, and unmarked units not used routinely for patrol duties are exempt from
this order.
C. Vehicle Equipment:
Patrol vehicles will be outfitted with operational equipment that includes:
1.
Emergency (warning) light (red/blue)
2.
Siren
3.
Flashing headlights and factory installed hazard-warning lights.
4.
Spotlights
5.
Mobile radio transceiver
6.
Loud speaker system
D. Seat Belts:
Members will wear a seat belt at all times while operating an agency vehicle. All passengers in the
vehicle, to include arrested persons, will wear seat belts.
E. Issued Equipment:
Patrol officers will ensure that issued equipment is carried in their patrol vehicles. Officers will
replenish used equipment. Worn or inoperable equipment will be replaced. Equipment necessary to perform patrol
functions will include:
1.
First aid kit and supplies;
2.
Fire extinguisher;
3.
Charger and flashlight, to include a reflective traffic wand;
4.
Reflective traffic vest;
5.
Fingerprint kit;
6.
Spare tire;
7.
Report forms and pamphlets;
8.
Crime scene tape;
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G.O. 12.1D
9.
Emergency blanket; and,
10.
Flares.
F. Body Armor:
Body armor will be available for issue to all sworn full-time law enforcement officers. Agency issued
body armor will meet or exceed Threat Level II specifications.
1.
Body armor use is not mandatory, but is strongly recommended. Officers are required to have body armor readily
available, in their patrol unit, while on-duty.
IV. GLOSSARY:
ACTUAL HAZARDS - Actual hazards will include objects or areas that present an obvious threat to officer safety (i.e.,
construction areas, road closures, severe weather, downed power lines, and sinkholes).
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT - Red/blue emergency lights and siren as defined by F.S. 316.2397 and 316.271, respectively.
EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION - The rapid response to a priority call for service utilizing emergency equipment.
POTENTIAL HAZARDS - Potential hazards will include objects or areas that may cause injury to an officer in certain
situations (i.e., traffic conditions, unattended dogs, weapons, and known violent offenders).
SIREN - An audible device or equipment capable of a continuous monotone, warble, or two-tone warning. A vehicle horn is
not defined as a siren.
TOUR OF DUTY - The hours required to be worked during a scheduled patrol shift.
INDEXING:
CALLS FOR SERVICE
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION
FIRST LINE PATROL SUPERVISORS
TOUR OF DUTY, PATROL
PATROL DIVISION ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION
DRAFTED:
DJR/October 1, 2004/Filed: Patrol 12.1D
APPROVED:
Pete Pitocchelli, Chief DATE: November 05, 2011
Tequesta, Florida
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