Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
701 Delano PD Policy Manual
Personal Communication Devices
701.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the use of mobile telephones and
communication devices, whether issued or funded by the Department or personally owned, while
on-duty or when used for authorized work-related purposes.
This policy generically refers to all such devices as Personal Communication Devices (PCDs) but
is intended to include all mobile telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless capable
tablets and similar wireless two-way communications and/or portable Internet access devices.
PCD use includes, but is not limited to, placing and receiving calls, text messaging, blogging and
microblogging, emailing, using video or camera features, playing games and accessing sites or
services on the Internet.
701.2 POLICY
The Delano Police Department allows members to utilize any department-issued or funded
CDs.Any CD used while on-duty, or used off-duty in any manner will be subject to monitoring and
inspection.
The inappropriate use of a PCD while on-duty may impair officer safety. Additionally, members
are advised and cautioned that the use of a personally owned PCD either on-duty or after duty
hours for business-related purposes may subject the member and the member’s PCD records to
civil or criminal discovery or disclosure under applicable public records laws.
Members who have questions regarding the application of this policy or the guidelines contained
herein are encouraged to seek clarification from supervisory personnel.
701.3 PRIVACY EXPECTATION
The use of any department-provided or funded CD, computer, internet service, telephone service
or other wireless service while on duty is without any expectation of privacy that the employee
might otherwise have any communication, including the content of any such communication.
Communications or data reception on personal, password-protected, web-based e-mail accounts
and any other services are subject to monitoring if department equipment is used.
In accordance with this policy, supervisors are authorized to conduct a limited administrative
search of electronic files without prior notice, consent or a search warrant, on department issued
PCD’s. Administrative searches can take place for work-related purposes that may be unrelated
to investigations of employee misconduct and, as practicable, will be done in the presence of the
affected employee. All searches shall be fully documented in a written report.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. Personal Communication Devices - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department