Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
1011 Delano PD Policy Manual
Seat Belts
1011.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy establishes guidelines for the use of seat belts and child restraints. This policy will
apply to all members operating or riding in department vehicles (Vehicle Code § 27315.5).
1011.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
Child restraint system - An infant or child passenger restraint system that meets Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Regulations set forth in 49 CFR 571.213.
1011.2 WEARING OF SAFETY RESTRAINTS
All members shall wear properly adjusted safety restraints when operating or riding in a seat
equipped with restraints, in any vehicle owned, leased or rented by this department while on- or
off-duty, or in any privately owned vehicle while on-duty. The member driving such a vehicle shall
ensure that all other occupants, including non-members, are also properly restrained.
Exceptions to the requirement to wear safety restraints may be made only in exceptional situations
where, due to unusual circumstances, wearing a seat belt would endanger the member or the
public. Members must be prepared to justify any deviation from this requirement.
1011.3 TRANSPORTING SUSPECTS, PRISONERS OR ARRESTEES
Suspects, prisoners and arrestees should be in a seated position and secured in the rear seat of
any department vehicle with a prisoner restraint system or, when a prisoner restraint system is
not available, by seat belts provided by the vehicle manufacturer. The prisoner restraint system
is not intended to be a substitute for handcuffs or other appendage restraints.
Prisoners in leg restraints shall be transported in accordance with the Handcuffing and Restraints
Policy.
1011.4 INOPERABLE SEAT BELTS
Department vehicles shall not be operated when the seat belt in the driver's position is inoperable.
Persons shall not be transported in a seat in which the seat belt is inoperable.
Department vehicle seat belts shall not be modified, removed, deactivated or altered in any
way, except by the vehicle maintenance and repair staff, who shall do so only with the express
authorization of the Chief of Police.
Members who discover an inoperable restraint system shall report the defect to the appropriate
supervisor. Prompt action will be taken to replace or repair the system.
1011.5 POLICY
It is the policy of the Delano Police Department that members use safety and child restraint
systems to reduce the possibility of death or injury in a motor vehicle collision.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. Seat Belts - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department