Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutVEHICLE 6.3B TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE: AGENCY VEHICLES GENERAL ORDER: 6.3D EFFECTIVE: December 1, 2007 REVISES: G.O. 6.3C PAGES: 6 CONTENTS: This order consists of the following numbered sections: I. MARKING, LETTERING, EQUIPMENT II. ASSIGNMENT III. OPERATION IV. RESTRICTIONS V. MAINTENANCE VI. INSPECTIONS VII. AUTHORIZED EQUIPMENT VIII. DRESS CODE IX. TRAFFIC CRASH INVOLVING AGENCY VEHICLES X. FUEL CARDS XI. GLOSSARY PURPOSE: To establish guidelines and procedures for vehicle assignment and use and to identify marking, lettering, and equipment in vehicles utilized in patrol applications. SCOPE: This order applies to all Police Department members. DISCUSSION: The Police Department will maintain control and security of its fleet and have an effective means to provide members with the type vehicle necessary to perform their duties. Marked and unmarked vehicles are highly visible elements of the agency and the operation of such vehicles is always under scrutiny by the public. It is essential that members operate vehicles prudently to keep from discrediting themselves or the agency. The Police department realizes that vehicles utilized in patrol services must be conspicuously marked and properly equipped in order that officers respond effectively to the varying demands of the patrol responsibility. POLICY: Agency vehicles will be marked, equipped, operated, and maintained, in conformance with this order. PROCEDURE: I. MARKING, LETTERING, and EQUIPMENT: Agency vehicles used primarily in the assignment of patrol/zone coverage, traffic, and related special assignments shall be: A. Clearly marked/lettered with: G.O. 6.3D 1. Reflective “POLICE” lettering. 2. Reflective Department identification. 3. Vehicle number on sides of vehicle. 4. Special use notations, when applicable. a.Shift Commander b.Code Enforcement 5. Emergency telephone number. B. Equipped with: 1. Emergency (warning) lights (red/blue), to make his or her presence known, to warn other traffic, and to signal a violator to stop. 2. Siren, to make his or her presence known, to warn other traffic, and to signal a violator to stop. 3. Public address system may be used to make announcements to the public such as evacuation notices, for crowd control, to direct a traffic violator’s movement, during traffic felony stops to direct the movement of the vehicle’s occupants, to direct a suspect’s movement, etc. 4. Hazard warning lights may be used with other emergency lights as an additional safety precaution after the patrol vehicle has stopped. 5. Spotlights may be used to illuminate the interior of a violator’s vehicle to add to the officer’s ability to see inside the vehicle and to place the occupants at a tactical disadvantage during darkness. At no time will a spotlight be used while the violator’s vehicle is in motion. The spotlight may also be used to enhance the officer’s ability to see during darkness. 4. Mobile radio transceiver 5. Any other equipment, which may be necessary for the operational function. II. ASSIGNMENT: A. The Fleet Manager will assign agency vehicles. All assignments will be authorized by the Chief of Police or designee. B. Vehicles will be assigned based on job responsibilities. C. A limited number of members whose job responsibilities require them to be available on a 24-hour basis may be assigned “permanently assigned” vehicles. III. OPERATION: A. Agency vehicle use will conform to agency directives. (Refer to general order indexed as Emergency Vehicle Operation/Pursuits.) B. Safety restraint devices will be worn always. 2 G.O. 6.3D IV. RESTRICTIONS: Members permanently assigned an agency vehicle by the Tequesta Police Department will be permitted to use the vehicles while in an off-duty status, subject to the following restrictions and regulations: A. Agency members who are in an on-call capacity must have their assigned vehicle available to them in order to respond at a moments notice. To accomplish this, those personnel are permitted greater latitude in the use of their assigned vehicles. B. Some department vehicles are equipped with switch mechanisms which when activated will allow the operator to remove the keys from the ignition, secure the vehicle, and keep the engine running. The purpose of this option is to keep the vehicles electrical system at optimum operating capacity at any scene which would require the activation of the emergency lighting system. This system will not be employed for any other reason; i.e. maintaining the interior vehicle temperature while not occupied. C. Members who are not in an “on-call” capacity may use their assigned vehicle for the following purposes only, unless given permission by appropriate authority: 1.To travel between the Police Department and home. 2.To travel to and from court. 3.To travel to a location for an approved repair and/or calibration. 4.To travel to and from an approved off-duty detail. 5.To travel to and from an approved school, seminar or meeting. 6.To travel to and from approved ceremonial functions such as an officer’s funeral, dignitary arrival, or award ceremony. 7.To transport citizens in the performance of their law enforcement duties, or as otherwise directed by the Chief of Police. B. The assigned vehicle will not be used under the following circumstances: 1.While on a non-duty status, unless approved by appropriate authority. 2.During any period of annual leave unless approved by the Chief of Police or designee. 3.For the transporting of heavy or excessive loads, unless equipped for specifically assigned to do so. Such assignment must be by appropriate authority. 4.To transport non-departmental personnel, unless prior permission is given by appropriate authority. 5.At anytime the use may result in public criticism. C. Regulations: 1.When off duty and using the assigned vehicle, officers are required to contact Communications via radio and advise they are in-service and the destination, which they are en route to unless directed by the Chief of Police. 2.All traffic laws must be adhered to while operating the assigned vehicle. 3.Proper attire must be worn. 4. The radio shall be monitored and response shall be made to emergency calls for service when in or near the 3 G.O. 6.3D area of the call. 5. When responding to a police incident or when taking police action, an 0ff-duty officer shall be required to assume full responsibility for the situation until duly relieved by on-duty personnel. 6. While off-duty and in civilian attire, members will not take traffic enforcement action unless the violation is flagrant and likely to cause damage or personal injury. 7. When using the radio while off-duty, members shall identify themselves by their assigned ID numbers. 8. Weapons shall be removed from the vehicle when the vehicle is left for repairs or service. 9. Seatbelts shall be worn while operating and traveling in department vehicles. V. MAINTENANCE: All traffic laws must be adhered to while operating the assigned vehicle. A. Responsibility: Members assigned a vehicle are responsible to: 1. Advise the Fleet Manager of needed repairs and routine maintenance. 2. Keep vehicles in a clean and serviceable condition. 3.(Only approved fuel and lubricants may be used.) Check the fuel and oil levels regularly. 4. Check the cooling system periodically. 5. Check that tires are inflated properly. 6. Maintain a copy of the vehicle registration and current insurance identification card in the vehicle. B. Procedure: 1. Vehicle defects will be reported to the Fleet Manager promptly. A Vehicle Repair Order will be completed and posted when repair work or maintenance is requested. 2. An agency vehicle that can be safely driven, but in need of repair, will be taken to an authorized vendor for repairs. C. Scheduled Preventive Maintenance: 1. Routine maintenance will be scheduled by the Fleet Manager. 2. The Fleet Manager will assign another vehicle if a permanently assigned vehicle must be taken out of service for maintenance or repairs. D. Emergency Repairs: 1. Repairs may be completed by a private vendor when: a. An emergency exists which makes immediate repair necessary. 2. The member’s supervisor must approve the repair before it is started. 3. A copy of the vendor invoice will be forwarded to the Fleet Manager. 4 G.O. 6.3D VI. INSPECTIONS: A. Daily Inspection: New damage found during a daily inspection will be reported to the shift supervisor. The supervisor will inspect and report the damage to the Fleet Manager. B. Line Inspections: Patrol sergeants will perform periodic line inspections to insure that all vehicles are properly maintained, kept in a clean condition, and serviced at regular intervals. VII. AUTHORIZED EQUIPMENT: All equipment will be approved and inspected by the fleet manager and authorized by the Chief or his designee before being installed in or affixed to any agency vehicle. The use or addition of any audio/visual equipment, other than that factory installed equipment or equipment approved by the Chief of Police or the fleet manager for training purposes or as needed for patrol operations, is prohibited. Audio/visual equipment includes but is not limited to, CD players, DVD players, televisions, personal lap tops, and all related audio/visual hardware and software. The modification of any department owned hardware or software is prohibited. VIII. DRESS CODE: Members operating agency vehicles will: A. Wear a uniform or approved plainclothes attire while on duty. B. Wear appropriate attire during other approved use of an agency vehicle, i.e., training. C. Carry an authorized firearm and official identification. IX:TRAFFIC CRASHES INVOLVING AGENCY VEHICLES: A. The first preventable crash as determined bythe crash investigator with the concurrence of the Chief of Police, in a one-year time span, the involved member will: 1.Receive a written warning. B. A second preventable crash, as determined by the crash investigator with the concurrence of the Chief of Police, in a two-year time span, the involved member will: 1.Attend Driver training. 2.Pay 15% of damage to agency vehicle up to a maximum of $500. C . A third preventable crash, as determined by the crash investigator with the concurrence of the chief of Police, in a two-year time span, the involved member will: 1.Attend driver Training. 2.Pay 30% of damage to agency vehicle up to a maximum of $500. 3.Receive a suspension up to 30 days. D. The fourth preventable crash, as determined by the crash investigator with concurrence of the chief of Police, in a two-year time span, the involved officer’s appointment may be withdrawn. X. FUEL CARDS: A. Fuel cards shall be assigned to each Tequesta Police Department vehicle.Fuel cards are to remain with the assigned vehicle and personnel are not to use fuel cards for any vehicle other than the vehicle the fuel card is 5 G.O. 6.3D assigned to. C. In the event a fuel card is lost/destroyed it should be reported to the member’s immediate supervisor and a replacement card shall be requested. Only in exigent circumstances, after a supervisor approval, may a fuel card be utilized for a vehicle it is not assigned to. XI. GLOSSARY: ASSIGNED VEHICLE - A marked or unmarked agency vehicle, assigned individually for use both on duty and for specific functions authorized by supervisory members. MARKED VEHICLE - An agency vehicle that bears the official Police Department insignia and is marked with the color combinations as prescribed by Florida law. PERMANENTLY ASSIGNED VEHICLE - An agency vehicle assigned to an individual for use on a 24- hour basis including personal use. Permanent assignment of vehicles may be limited to those members, required by their job responsibilities, to be available on an “on call” basis, for assignment anytime as needed. Only the Chief will authorize the assignment of permanently assigned vehicles. POLICE DEPARTMENT/AGENCY VEHICLE - A motor vehicle owned or leased by the Police Department. UNMARKED VEHICLE - Any agency vehicle that does not bear the official Police Department insignia or colors. APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY – Members of the Police Department holding the rank of Lieutenant or above. FLEET MANAGER – As assigned by the Chief of Police. INDEXING: AUTHORIZED EQUIPMENT INSTALLED DRESS CODE (Vehicle Use) USE OF VEHICLE VEHICLE ASSIGNMENT VEHICLE INSPECTION VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS VEHICLE REPAIRS Drafted: DJR/October 2007/ Filed: Vehicle 6.3 APPROVED: Pete Pitocchelli, Chief DATE: November 05, 2011 Tequesta, Florida 6 G.O. 6.3D 7